Listener Crossword 4263 Coordinates By Sabre

[trux]

Have mixed feelings about this as some elements are truly very fine indeed but there seem to be a few inconsistencies in the details. For a long while, I imagined something more magnificent (maybe impossible to create) than the final result. Can't go into details ... and it was (as one would expect) a mighty good puzzle, so I don't won't discourage anybody....and I do want to thank Sabre for another enjoyable and classy production.

[sunny-dave]

Wow - a 'proper' Listener - thanks Sabre.

Very tough, very fair (some smile making clues too).

I really enjoyed that - the sense of achievement is palpable - it took a good few hours, but it was never a grind, the carrot just dangled near enough to keep me going.

[upsetter]

This one pushed us to our absolute limit and we're very pleased to have solved it just now.

[teuchter2]

I have not had much time to spend on this. I've cold-solved slightly more than half the clues and come to something of a standstill. Unfortunately I haven't managed to work out any of the longest answers, even though two of them look as if they should be anagrams. Very tough indeed. I doubt if I will be able to do this one.

[Alan7777]

What a challenge! I think I've finished but there are a few wordplays I don't understand yet. Some very good and very tricky clues.

[Texasetes]

On a practical note, could someone with a hard copy of the newspaper tell me how wide the printed grid is this week, please?

I've printed a grid from the web at its usual width of 9cm, and the cells seem quite small, especially if some are expected to contain two letters.

[Alan7777]

Including the shaded areas the grid in the newspaper is 89mm square.

I now have all the wordplays resolved to my satisfaction.

[Texasetes]

Many thanks, Alan7777.

[Philoctetes]

Often, with my approach of doing puzzles in 20 minute sessions, the last few sessions don't offer much of a challenge as everything falls into place. This one kept going right to the end, even when the McGuffin was clear. A very good workout, much better than those that rely on obscure knowledge. Best sort of Listener.

[sunny-dave]

Exactly so Philoctetes - it kept my interest all the way through, not becoming trivial even when it was just a case of solving the last few clues into a nearly full grid.

Actually the first clue in the list was the last one I solved, despite knowing the second letter and the choice for the third it still took some digging.

[Scorpius]

Started this only yesterday, so quite pleased to finish today, albeit after many hours. Like the opening comment, I also have mixed feelings about the puzzle. On the whole I found it a bit of an unrewarding slog, though once I got some co-ordinates in place it became more pleasurable, and there was pleasure to be gained from working out some of the very tricky clues (still a few I don't fully understand).

I'm not convinced I've ended up with the right solution since one expected clash never materialized, so one perimeter cell had to be filled by default. Perhaps I better go through all my answers again with a fine-tooth comb.

[EAChaplin]

But.........some very experienced solver friends (and I) are wondering if that message is another KEEP IT DOWN.

[Staurologist]

My heart sank a bit when I saw that it was Sabre, because this happened to be a week in which I hadn't a minute to spare until today, and I knew that it would be tough. Trust Sabre to be a troublemaker! Now, having managed to make the time, I find that it is as good as it gets. Superb construction that held surprises right to the very end. Who would guess that Sabre is a number theorist?