Azed 2350

[crockshard]

Has anyone completed this one? I have done less than a quarter of it (mostly in SW quarter) and am not sure that I even understand the preamble properly. I assume there are 3 definitions and 3 sets of wordplay in each triplet of clues...Or is there just one definition per triplet?
Any help to move me along an inch would be much appreciated.

[crockshard]

P.S. My answers to 'Fish out of water' suggest more than one definition in a triplet, but I may be completely wrong.
I love the surfaces of the triplet clues, but the underneaths are mostly totally unfathomable today...

[Hagen]

You're right, there are three definition/letter mixes in each set of clues. They appear in order of the clue numbers, e.g. in the first triplet, the definition/letter mix for 1 across is at the start of the clue, the DLM for 6 across in the middle and the DLM for 10 at the end.

I also did about a quarter and put it aside, and I'm not sure I'll pick it up again unless I get bored watching my grass grow. I love Azed's puzzles and have solved his puzzles every week for many years, but I can't stand DLM puzzles, even when the surfaces are as clever as this. I wonder how many people will solve this without resorting to electronic anagram crackers.

If you persevere, good luck!

[crockshard]

Thanks for getting back to me, Hagen. Have just got back in after a late night out, but will persevere tomorrow...

[Hagen]

You're welcome. I'd had a late night too as you can see from my use of "puzzles" three times in the same sentence!

I've finished it now and it does get easier the more entries you have. I'm not sure how long it would have taken without Chambers wordfinder and anagram solver, if indeed I would have finished it at all. Very clever Azed, but no more please!

[crockshard]

Phew - finally completed it!