Listener No 4230 Elm By Quinapalus

[trux]

Whilst one might argue about some of the clueing, and several ambiguities in extra letter(s), there is no doubt whatsoever that the endgame is most elegant. A real tough test, just about worth the struggle (and struggle it was) but very satisfying when all done. Many thanks to Quinapalus

[perseverer]

...... and I must learn to type faster.

[Texasetes]

I wonder whether Q keeps a log of the queries entered on his site. It would be interesting to know what fraction of his traffic is Listener-induced.

If he'd been feeling really mischievous, he could have caused problems by taking the resource offline for a fortnight.

[jim360]

I do think that sometimes quina's aim must be to write a crossword that is quina's-matcher-proof. Ironic that hos own tool keeps proving useful in breaking into his crosswords! I wonder if next time we'll see a "Definitions have two letters misprinted..."

[olichant]

I was casually wondering whether Quinapalus might follow up with hoq. That would be... interesting.

[Cruncher]

This one kept me on my toes for days - and the final arrangement was astonishing. Share the feeling about the toughness of the clueing but all contributed to a real feeling of challenge. Many thanks Quinapalus

[Alan7777]

I am close to admitting defeat. I just cannot solve enough clues especially those where letters are to be skipped before entry.

I have most of the instruction, I know what the final grid should illustrate and I understand the title.

I feel I'm close to a breakthrough but ............. I will have to wait for a couple of weeks to be enlightened.

[Whenland]

Alan7777 - you're further ahead than we are!

[tenflags]

Echo most of what has been said here.. one or two borderline fair clues but some very fine and a toughie to be sure - very good overall.
Thank you Quinapalus.

[teuchter2]

I have made some progress since my last posting, including getting one of the nine-letter words, which has helped get most things that I have worked out into the grid, but still a long way to go I'm afraid.

[Alekhine]

Didn't have chance to do much with this last weekend and have had to rely on an hour here and there during the weekday evenings. Thoroughly enjoyable and definitely the toughest test of the year so far.

For submission purposes, is folding allowed?

[Ruthrobin]

I used a large grid and folded! It would seem only fair to accept all sorts of submission, as long as they show the solver has completed it - but what 'seems only fair' isn't always accepted.

[magichour]

I have to pretty much agree with most of what has been said here. It took me until Thursday night to complete this beast.

Really tough clueing (some of it a wee bit loose for my liking), breathtaking construction and an unambiguous final result. One of those where I nearly gave up a few times but kept coming back to it and instantly finding an answer each time, which naturally encouraged perseverance.

10/10 for imagination and design, slightly less than that for the clueing but still an excellent Listener.

[magichour]

And I meant to add: I have no idea how some of you manage to complete these tough ones within a few hours. I take off my hat to you.

[Pivert]

Latch means mire in that peculiar cross-border language Pivert

[Pivert]

Best clue by far was "Sober OU rag........." Pivert

[Alan7777]

I, too, am amazed by the construction having finally got across the finishing line last night. As others have said the difficulty was not in the end-game but in solving the clues especially those where one or more letters of the answer had to be removed.

[teuchter2]

Better late than never, but I have finally finished this one, with a few hints on the way from one of our number, so I will not submit. I agree that it is a very clever construction and well worth persevering with. I found the endgame pretty straightforward compared with the agonies of completing the grid.