Genius 206

[Pete666]

We have a problem parsing 7d:
Soldier seen climbing over tense leeches (9)
p?r?s?t?s
Probably parasites (leeches)
A chemical element has to be changed from the answer given by the wordplay to give the solution

[Mamyalynne]

Para + Spies round T(ense) minus P(hosphorus)

?

[Mamyalynne]

A poor guess from me I think.

[fiction-factory]

"All solutions are defined normally, but the wordplay in each clue leads to a solution where TWO letters require an elementary substitution before entry in the grid."

[Pete666]

Still don't quite get it. Which chem element are you changing?

[Mamyalynne]

Two letters, ah - ignore my reply.

[Neveracrossword]

I know nothing about elements, but the wordplay gives Paranetes (a word, I don't think it has to be defined) and then swap Ne for SI, if those are elements?

[fiction-factory]

spied rather than spies?
I wondered about tense being STIFF- change F and F for ES

[fiction-factory]

so does leeches not have to be part of the wordplay or definition?

[Neveracrossword]

Leeches is the definition for the entry, the wordplay being for the stuff that needs changed? (I haven't seen the instructions!)

[fiction-factory]

para+ TENSE- Ne + Si?

[Captain2]

Neon (Ne) to Silicon (Si), Nac

[Mamyalynne]

https://uploads.guim.co.uk/2020/07/31/GeniusCrossword206.pdf

[Pete666]

I like paranetes, but what does it mean?

[fiction-factory]

I'm sure it's just parasites

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Captain2 - I thought it worked, but hadn't checked any of the element stuff.

[fiction-factory]

I think paranetes was just suggested as an interim stage in the wordplay before the switch of Ne to Si, but I don't think it's that complicated

[Neveracrossword]

Pete666, I think the answer to the wordplay in the clue is Paranetes, then you change the element part (Ne to Si) to get Parasites, leeches.

[Captain2]

It doesn't have to 'mean' anything - it is just the basis for the element change to give the entry word.

[Neveracrossword]

I've just looked at other Genius 206 threads - the solution to the wordplay isn't defined, the entry is... Parasites, leeches.

[Pete666]

I think it does have to a word in its own right - all the rest seem to be