Listener Crossword No 4594 Chat By Aedites

[Flocker14]

At first I thought this was going to be a doddle thanks to some generous clues, but it wasn't at all. Stumbled on the theme fairly early on but working out the message from the extra letters, especially the first part, was tricky and still a few I haven't quite parsed. A favourite theme and very cleverly presented. Great workout! Many thanks, Aedites!

[Flocker14]

I see our resident troll is at it again – and still as full of vitriol as ever, or is it, as one can’t help suspecting, drink? And oh, what wit! And what elegance of expression! No wonder nobody uses this site anymore.
Anyway many congratulations to you and Mrs Smart Alec for finishing it so thoroughly. One can’t help feeling for her. What can she have done to deserve it?

[12barblues]

Hmm. No wonder there are fewer entries here. I agree with Flocker, quite a few in here are difficult to parse, even after crossing letters remove any ambiguity from the answer. But overall a pleasant variation on the clashing letters gimmick. Thanks Aedites

[olichant]

Alekhine - and I mean this sincerely - I hope you are OK. A post like that, in the context of something as niche and delightful as the weekly Listener, is pretty disappointing, to put it as neutrally as I can.

For what it’s worth, I have often posted a comment here before having resolved a few stray unches. I have no problem with that - usually the point in posting, for me, is to express enjoyment at a well-implemented theme, or a good set of clues (assuming any that I haven’t yet resolved to be as good).

I hope everyone else who gathers here is well - it’s a shame there has been such a drop off on this thread. It used to be such good feedback for setters, other than anything else.

[Hagen]

After a flying start I got bogged down for ages by a dozen recalcitrant clues. The misprints in those were hard to spot even when I knew what they should be, further complicated by some obscure single-letter indications and a few definitions which I felt were a bit of a stretch (but not unfairly so). I completed the final answers working backwards from the clash resolutions.

An impressive implementation of a favourite theme which it's always a delight to revisit.

I'm going to assume that Alekhine's post was intended humorously and that the wording didn't come out as intended due to the lateness of the hour. I hope so, anyway.

[Scorpius]

I've just parsed my last unparsed clue, so I guess it's safe to comment.

Like others, I was initially mislead by some easy clues into thining this was going to be an easy romp. Then I hit the clashes and some very tough clues, some of which exploited Chambers' definitions to the full, plus some well disguise misprints.

Lots to savour in a very nice puzzle.

[aelmpvw]

//I'm going to assume that Alekhine's post was intended humorously//
it didn't make me laugh

[Hagen]

It didn't make me laugh either, but as I said earlier it's possible that the comment is just badly worded and wasn't intended to be so rude. Perhaps Alekhine would care to enlighten us, and perhaps apologise to Flocker?

Has anyone worked out the significance of the puzzle's title? I have a couple of interpretations but they are rather tenuous.

[sunny-dave]

All done - not as hard as expected & all parsed quite nicely.

I like Aedites puzzles - they seem an ideal mix of intricate (but fair) clues and tricky (but possible) grid fills.

[roslyn251254]

cha t ....both tea ?

[IainGrace]

As an aside, today’s Guardian has a neat subtlety to it which is not immediately apparent.

[upsetter]

Some tough clues coupled with an unusual clash resolution method.

Many thanks, Aedites.

[pushmi-pullyu]

I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and learned a new word. Whether I am ever likely to use it is another matter.

[emcee]

Late getting here so missed out on all the early action.

A very good puzzle with some tough (but fair) clues -- a few of the misprints were quite devious. I liked the way the thematic item was generated.

Thanks, Aedites; a decent workout.

[Cruncher]

Likewise missed the scuffle. I guess these threads will always be a mixture of posters who like the camaraderie and the occasional few who want to show off. As to this one I found this tough and although I identified the author wondered for a while if I would figure out the thematic work. Very neat ending and just about parsed all the clues

[olichant]

Sorry, Aedites, I never got around to thanking you for a puzzle which gave me very happy memories of the puzzle that first gave me the Listener addiction on a very drizzly day in Yorkshire when I’d finished the regular Times and just wondered whatever the weird-looking grid on the other page could possibly be... I thought that this weekend’s puzzle was a superb implementation of the theme, and the PDM about the resolution of the clashes was just superb