Inquisitor 1284

[Gregsdad]

I've got all the jumbled examples and X but am struggling with the grid completion. I have the instruction, I think, but can't see where to start- anybody completed this please?

[shikasta]

I started in the far right column, subsequently via the centre square, ending in the 3rd column.

[PuzledBadger]

Finished last night with one exception. I don't understand the instruction, "... (disregarding 19) ..."

Any ideas?

[Gregsdad]

Thanks Shikasta, I'm assuming X is jumbled ? Did you start near the top or bottom of the last column ?
Badger, the 19 is a reference to a year.

[PuzledBadger]

Thanks Gregsdad, I still don't understand it but you've given me food for thought.

Start in column 13, row 5.

[shikasta]

I found X in unjumbled order - starting with the lower of the 2 possible starting letters on the far right.

[Gregsdad]

Hi both

Many thanks. I think I have the route you say...I was over-interpreting the instruction and making too many moves. is the middle square an N ?
What did you do about the unchecked letters in 12A,39A and 40A ?
Badger, look up the year X succeeded....

[shikasta]

Yes, middle = N.

What do you mean 'do' with the unchecked letters? - in all the thematic answers the letters are entered 'in titular fashion', once the 'spare' letter is removed.

[Gregsdad]

Doh, yes, saw it as soon as I sent the question....thanks

[boreas]

I was very late out of the starting gate with this one.
I have the theme , but not all the answers.
I have worked out the instruction, but can't see the answer to 13 ac.
40 ac doesn't seem to be part of the instruction, but doesn't have the A to Z thing to be one of the thematic items.
Any advice please?

[Gregsdad]

Boreas

13ac is simply an anagram (herring - h) of "maybe".
40ac is one of the jumbled examples. The A-Z thing isn't one of the themed examples. It only acts on the entry of the examples in the grid (as I realised late on !) and is a clue to the identity of X.

[boreas]

Thanks Gregsdad.
I made the same AZ mistake with entering the few themed items I've got and had to start again.

[Gregsdad]

In my case, I did realise early on that the grid entry wasn't 'normal' but then forgot/ignored the reference to 'titular fashion' in the preamble.

[boreas]

Still many lengths behind.
Some of the thematic items are still the same length as the original even when treated. I s this something to do with X?

[Gregsdad]

Hi, I didn't get any the same length, the original solutions all lost one letter ni.e. the letter changed in the definition part of the clue, to yield the grid entry (jumbled according to the instructions of course). Any specific clues you're thinking of ?

[boreas]

Hi Gregsdad,

For example, at 7D I have something that in its untreated original form is 8 letters long, beginning with A and ending in E.
Have I got the wrong answer?

[Gregsdad]

Boreas,
Sounds like you have the unjumbled entry right. The solution to the clue is 9 letters long, an anagram of 'iron barrel' ~ r. The definition is 'carried on rails'.

[boreas]

I am so thick!

I wasn't following the process correctly and had gone straight to the 'item.
So many thanks, I have it now.

I have the same problem at 12A and 26D
(knowing the names of the items, but struggling with the clues.)

[boreas]

I think I have the answer to the 7 letter word for 26D - is the wrong letter in the word 'slow'?

[Gregsdad]

Yep, you've got it. One of those puzzles where you get to understand the instructions through trial and error.....but all the better for it I think.

[boreas]

Very enjoyable indeed.
But I still can't find one to fit 40A
Or work out 18 D, though I have all the letters apart from the 2 unchecked.