Guardian Genius 197

[JJ109]

There is a special instruction "ll vwls hv bn rmvd frm bth cls nd sltns"

I am struggling with ones that I can't understand what the clues are!
24d ncvr rg strn (4)
I have R _ C _

ncvr could be "uncover" or something else
rg could be rig, rag, rage, argue, rogue (or something else)
strn = strain, eastern, stern, astern, saturn (or something else)

I have no other crossers for this clue to solve that may help. Therefore, any assistance gratefully accepted.

[Neveracrossword]

Rtch - from Retch, strain, taking the W, uncover, Wretch, rogue?

[JJ109]

Many thanks NAC!

[Neveracrossword]

Glad I could help, JJ.

[ProfessorMaisie]

I think the gimmick here falls down when the definitions aren't absolutely precise.
I went for your 2nd possibility 'rag' but, like 'rogue', it's slightly vague.
There are a couple of tiny spacing anomalies too, and that made it more difficult than it might have been (but I enjoyed it!).

[JJ109]

I'm "enjoying" it prof, when I finally understand the clues. I am having to keep leaving it and picking it up later, so I can think of alternatives for some of the words in the clues but it is certainly an interesting puzzle. Have completed the whole of the left hand side and approx half of the rest, so shouldn't be too bad when I give myself another chance to look at it.

[ProfessorMaisie]

I spent quite a bit of time on it as well, JJ - and I should have used your quotes for the ''enjoyment'' factor too!

[HamishSoup]

@ProfessorMaisie: Setter here :) "There are a couple of tiny spacing anomalies too" - where? I proofread the PDF really carefully, so I think all spaces that should be were preserved?

[ProfessorMaisie]

I qualified that with 'tiny', HamishSoup.
What had me guessing most was the spacing between 'r' and 'g' - it looked to vary slightly in places and I occasionally thought there might be two words rather than one involved (there wasn't). This could simply be a factor of the typeface you're using, or even an optical illusion. I also wondered if there was sufficient spacing to justify the 'a' that's missing altogether.
These are tiny details, like most people I 'enjoyed' it very much (the quotes merely represent a little pain along the way).
Would you care to pronounce on 'rag' or 'rogue' ...or?

[HamishSoup]

You're right, the space between 'rg' looks too big. (and 'll' looks too small - eg in 6d.) That's definitely the font. I had a bit of a discussion with the Editor about spaces where an 'a' was missing, and specifically asked for doubles to be left in when an 'a' or 'I' had been removed (eg at the start of 6d) - I didn't think it was fair otherwise.
Pronouncement will be made after the submission date :) Sorry to have tortured you, but pleased you had 'fun'.

[ProfessorMaisie]

Thank you HamishSoup, I thought it might be the font.

There must be a rule that stops setters explaining specific clues because, over all of the years, I haven't seen it done... ever! And, of course, the published solutions never go into such detail (although yours will have to, which will be nice).

The only other tiny 'grudge' I bear you has to do with that capital letter in 9ac - but never mind, thank you for a very enjoyable puzzle!

[JJ109]

Yes, thankyou HamishSoup, I much prefer the puzzles where I struggle, as long as I eventually get the answers!

[HamishSoup]

Prof.: I'd happily explain a specific clue if there weren't a prize attached to it; as it is, I wouldn't explain anything before then, as it could be seen as a hint. But I'll happily answer questions about 'does clue x have a misprint' because that's a simple yes/no which gives no hints. I'll be back in December for an answer to your question :)

[ProfessorMaisie]

I hope a few setters follow your example, HamishSoup and enter into the debate a bit more.
My quibble is very slight in any case - it's about the context not the clue - although there have been a few very dodgy clues over the years that have gone unexplained (and that's with the crossword sites in uproar!).

[HamishSoup]

I try to interact with solvers - not least of all because they seem to enjoy it (!) but also because I'm reasonably new to this (about six years setting) so want to see what 'the public' want and give it to them!

[ProfessorMaisie]

In that respect JJ109's post works for me too -

''I... prefer the puzzles where I struggle, as long as I eventually get the answers!''