For the benefit of solvers new to the rigours of the Advanced Cryptic, Dr Watson provides a monthly review of the Observer's Azed competition puzzle. Dr Watson is a regular Azed competitor.
There are three parts to solving a cryptic clue:
spot the device (i.e. the type of clue), identify the definition and the
cryptic part, and work out the answer. A lot of clues are solved in that order,
albeit with some toing and froing between different possible approaches. The
setter likewise has three controls on the difficulty of the clue: hiding the
device, obscuring the boundary between cryptic part and definition, and the
complexity of the final resolution. A skilful setter will balance these
elements in each clue so that the overall difficulty of the puzzle is
consistent, and the clues offer the solver a variety of challenges.
After the Titanic (sorry) struggles of Azed 1500, we
return to the calmer waters of the Azed Plain. Notable absentees amongst the
clues are homophones, composite anagrams and any proper names, but as Dr
Watson’s comments show, it manages good range of settings of the three controls
mentioned above.
1a: You’ll
find LSO etc involved with his art? That’s about right. ORCHESTRALIST (anagram
of LSO ETC HIS ART including R, & lit). The use of ‘involved’ and a count
of the likely letters reveal the device. ‘You’ll find’ is a common filler
(you’ll find) for & lit clues (not entirely necessary here - ‘LSO etc are
involved...’ would have worked). An excellent clue, though, of the kind often
seen in the VHC lists of the Azed competition.
16a: Monumental column e.g. Mexican rudely holds up from behind. CIPPUS (UP in SPIC all reversed). Caveat emptor. Azed does not shy away from earthy or un-PC words in his clues, though you’re unlikely to find anything in deliberately poor taste. Here he flags what to expect in the cryptic part.
18a: Phase
in the life of insects forming colonies. ECLOSION (anagram). Single word
anagrams of this length are rare and the clue writer can be excused a smirk of
satisfaction on finding a new one. Azed works it neatly into the clue to
achieve a very natural literal reading.
23a: Once
spread abroad a lot of whispers threaten. SPERST (hidden). Hiddens are dead
easy to solve, so the setter should take pains to hide the device (here by
hinting at an anagram), or save it for obscure words like sperst. This clue is
surpassed by 7d (see below).
25a: Aboriginal
container for storing clarified butter. BINGHI (BIN + GHI). You’ve spotted the
device, you’ve isolated the definition, but is the container going to be bin,
pin or tin? Only a leaf through Chambers will reveal the truth... (for Watson
it was third time lucky).
31a: A
pintado is this after this. ADAPTION (anagram, & lit). What’s a pintado? It
doesn’t matter. When the solution is itself a cryptic indicator the setter can
occasionally offer this sort of ‘reverse’ clue (where the cryptic part refers
in effect to the process of solving cryptic clues). Overuse it, though, and the
clues are in danger of disappearing up their own vocabularies.
32a: Fisherman
maybe reflected about nothing. LINER (RE NIL reversed). Azed cleverly hides the
device here, offering several ways to read the clue cryptically. An amusing
literal reading, too (would angler have been even better?).
5d: Producer’s ultimate target lasts after one switch of characters. ENDUSER (R and S swapped in ENDURES). The unconventional device is clearly spelt out in the clue.
7d: A
unit of measurement. REMEN (hidden, & lit). Dr Watson’s favourite clue in
this puzzle. Although it’s a hidden, it’s remarkably difficult to solve, and
impressive in its self-sufficient brevity. Watson didn’t get the measure of
this one until well after the solution was entered.
9d: Senseless
massacre ends thus. INANE (i.e. massacre ends IN AN E). Haven’t seen this one
before? You’ll certainly see it again.
13d: Brazilian tree beginning to climb in pasture? Not that. LECYTHIS (C in LEY + THIS). The little coda after the question mark throws the solver nicely off the scent.
22d: Drank
up and was quick about it. SUPPED (UP in SPED). Neat wording fogs the clue just
enough to prevent immediate solution.
Other solutions:
Across: 11. MARANTA (a rant in ma); 12. PENAL (lane P
rev.); 15. DUMB-CANE (MB in anag.); 17. ETHNIC (anag. less k) ; 20. PRESES (E
in press); 26. SHORTISH (ort in shish); 28. RAPPEL; 33. NOGGING (noggin + g);
34. REED-PHEASANTS (anag.)
Down: 2. RABIC ((a)rabic(a)); 3. CRAPLE (l in crape); 4.
HASP (has p); 6. TAUTOCHRONE (auto in anag.); 8. LECHWE (C in anag.); 10.
SANIES (i.e. in sans); 14. SCEPTRAL (C in anag.); 19. SPRINGS (spr(ay) +
anag.); 21. ROADIE (anag., & lit.); 24. RIGLIN (anag. + in); 25. SPANE
(s.p. ane); 26. SLISH (l is in sh!); 27. SHUNT (n in shut); 30. NAGA (aga(i)n
rev.)