Amusing suggestion, Kevin. Bet true answer will come from clue's author.Kevin Williamson wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 9:31 pmI hope I'm wrong but I'll punt 'Senior Officer' as the solution.Stewart Reuben wrote: ↑Mon Jun 19, 2023 1:05 amWhen I was a schoolboy, I devised the following crossword clue.
Senior officer as well. A gasser! 6, 7.
Senior officer being the clue as well as the solution.
A gasser meaning a very funny joke. Just as this could appeal to a schoolboy.
Times cryptic chess clue
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John Clarke
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Re: Times cryptic chess clue
Last edited by John Clarke on Thu Jun 22, 2023 11:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"The chess-board is the world ..... the player on the other side is hidden from us ..... he never overlooks a mistake, or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance."
(He doesn't let you resign and start again, either.)
(He doesn't let you resign and start again, either.)
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Richard James
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Re: Times cryptic chess clue
From today's Guardian Cryptic (Picaroon):
Nearly trick chess champion, making exchanges (7)
Nearly trick chess champion, making exchanges (7)
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Stewart Reuben
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Re: Times cryptic chess clue
The solution to Senior officer as well. A gasser! 6, 7.
CARBON DIOXIDE.
I had no idea about 67 years ago that gasser had any meaning whatsoever.
CARBON DIOXIDE.
I had no idea about 67 years ago that gasser had any meaning whatsoever.
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David Williams
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Re: Times cryptic chess clue
I see where you're coming from, but there are 'rules' for cryptic clues. "Senior officer as well" is "CO too", but if you want to use this as a homophone for CO2 you must say so somehow - "Sounds like . . ." or similar. And the definition can be misleading, but it should be accurate. CO2 is a gas, not a gasser.Stewart Reuben wrote: ↑Thu Jun 22, 2023 11:53 pmThe solution to Senior officer as well. A gasser! 6, 7.
CARBON DIOXIDE.
I had no idea about 67 years ago that gasser had any meaning whatsoever.
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Stewart Reuben
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Re: Times cryptic chess clue
David, again you are assuming too much knowledge on my part about cryptic clues when I was a teenager, I don't even know whether the term was used in those day and, if so, whether the rules were formulated in the same way.
I agree though, the word gas would have been more appropriate.
I agree though, the word gas would have been more appropriate.
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John Clarke
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Re: Times cryptic chess clue
The Guardian Quiptic no1231 has: One on board early regularly to see breeding colony. (7)
"The chess-board is the world ..... the player on the other side is hidden from us ..... he never overlooks a mistake, or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance."
(He doesn't let you resign and start again, either.)
(He doesn't let you resign and start again, either.)
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MJMcCready
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Re: Times cryptic chess clue
Something to do with -mate?
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MJMcCready
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Re: Times cryptic chess clue
Is that the answer?
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Paul Habershon
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Re: Times cryptic chess clue
Yes, Mark.
One on board early regularly to see breeding colony (7)
One on board=rook (hurrah not castle!)
early regularly=e r y (every other letter of early) - a typical cryptic convention
breeding colony = rookery. That is the definition part of the clue. 'Breeding colony' would have been the bare clue in a 'quick' non-cryptic crossword.
The definition nearly always appears at the beginning or ending of the clue. I think most solvers try out possible definitions then make a link (light bulb moment) with the cryptic pointers.
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MJMcCready
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Re: Times cryptic chess clue
Thanks Paul, a bit above my level tbh.
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Geoff Chandler
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Re: Times cryptic chess clue
Today's Metro: 1 Down.
This officer apparently hasn't won at chess before? (5,4)
Apparently not won before so it has to be the first time and the officer is the 'First Mate.'
This officer apparently hasn't won at chess before? (5,4)
Apparently not won before so it has to be the first time and the officer is the 'First Mate.'
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John Clarke
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Re: Times cryptic chess clue
Looks like no-one's picked up on the clue-like comment at the end of my Fri 23rd post .... 
"The chess-board is the world ..... the player on the other side is hidden from us ..... he never overlooks a mistake, or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance."
(He doesn't let you resign and start again, either.)
(He doesn't let you resign and start again, either.)
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Kevin Williamson
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Re: Times cryptic chess clue
"Bet true answer". Very nice, and appropriate to the topic under discussion.John Clarke wrote: ↑Mon Jun 26, 2023 9:21 pmLooks like no-one's picked up on the clue-like comment at the end of my Fri 23rd post ....
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Paul Habershon
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Re: Times cryptic chess clue
I admit to not noticing, John. A fine sequel to 'It's only me' (Tony Miles).Kevin Williamson wrote: ↑Tue Jun 27, 2023 8:17 am"Bet true answer". Very nice, and appropriate to the topic under discussion.John Clarke wrote: ↑Mon Jun 26, 2023 9:21 pmLooks like no-one's picked up on the clue-like comment at the end of my Fri 23rd post ....