Listener 4295: Codebreaker By Zag

[emcee]

Definitely a tough one to get into.

I was going along nicely, solved a few clues and got what I thought was the correct code only to find I've made a slip somewhere.

I think the logic is pretty much wrapped around getting the mappings and once this has been done the puzzle gets much easier.

Anyway, I'm not going to backtrack tonight. My head has fried enough for one session.

[Arcticpenguin]

Logophile - Madrid won 4-1 and lost 1-4. If you look at the annual statistics compiled by JEG there is always a huge spike in entries when the numerical puzzles come round. Must be popular.

[jim360]

Not always -- last year's lowest two entries were Radix's Boxes and gwizardry's Killer Queen, I think. Just a blip perhaps? But Number puzzles are popular and certainly have a spike in new entries.

[Ruthrobin]

The Sunday Telegraph Enigmatic Variations series editor introduced a numerical crossword a few weeks ago, set by Oyler, even I (numericalocruciverbalophobe) admit that it was a lovely little thing, but it didn't get solver approval and we were told that the experiment would not be repeated.

[IainGrace]

Agreed that this numerical, at least, is about logic rather than maths. Sudokus (which we also enjoy) are also about logic, but as far as we are concerned a sudoku is one thing and a crossword another. Likewise with numericals. One could devise a crossing pattern game using blobs and shapes but it wouldn't be a crossword, with all that that brings in terms of wordplay, themes from diverse sources, literary and other references etc. Why not the occasional numerical published alongside a conventional Listener?

[logophile]

Thanks Arcticpenguin, no Real surprise then ?

I'm with the numerologists on this one. For those with spare time over the weekend here is a link to the generally excellent Sunday Times Teaser series:

https://sites.google.com/site/sundaytimesteasers/teaser-index-1/2014-q2

[olichant]

A 5x7 grid and only 16 clues. How hard could that be, I thought to myself (idiotically) for all of five seconds before the pain commenced...

I have mixed feelings about how much I enjoyed solving this - some very satisfying nuggets of logical deduction - other long dark teatimes of the soul fumbling around all sorts of blind alleys.

But either way, I am utterly full of admiration for the setter. To set a challenge so parsimoniously leading to a steady, and quite tough, solve is really a very impressive challenge. Thanks, Zag.

[crosswhit99]

The June Prospect Enigma might be a useful warm-up exercise for the grey cells this morning:

http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Xword.pdf

[UglyUncle]

I've been completely stymied for far longer than I should have allowed myself to be on a Bank Holiday weekend, the only consolation being that I don't really fancy going out into the periodic downpours.

So far all I have is three answers, two coded entries and a pretty powerful sense of grievance. And to think that last year I managed 51/52 and cracked all the numericals, including Boxes. Hats off to all who've solved - and obviously appreciated - this one.

[Zymurgist]

I thought this was marvellous, although I admit to using a spreadsheet for speedy coding/uncoding. I don't think I could have mapped my mind around it without that.

[molimen]

As a self-confessed masochist, I actively look forward to the numerical Listeners, taking my time to savour the brilliant puzzle-setting. This one is no different.

[blakwhole]

A really good number puzzle, much trickier that usual and challenging right to the end. Thanks Zag.
Dang, I might even submit the solution this week.

[Staurologist]

An unbelievable composition, with the coup de grace at 11 down, perforce the last to be solved. And I don't recall a previous numerical with such an amusing clue as 18 down. So, pretty good value all round, although I'm still not sure whether the satisfaction gained outweighs the time spent. However, I console myself with the thought that the extra effort may (just may, mind) have staved off the Alzheimer's for a little longer.

[Ruthrobin]

Surprisingly, no, Staurologist! By extrapolating that one, we resolved the remaining ones that we had blank - maybe that was our short cut to the end, but I assumed it was part of the logical path.

[jim360]

I'd have been surprised if anyone could guess at more than the first digit of 11d before filling in most of the rest of the grid, although it seemed that the logic demands testing possible values for 11d late on in the process.

[twoshortplan]

I've just been checking the detailed solution for Listener 4292 Getting Out in Style - the one about the accordion. The misprint of 40AC had to be Z to give squeeze-box but this had the clue reading as "Stoker arranged LenZie's chores". What's a Lenzie? I can't find it in the BRB as an entry or as a first name.

[jim360]

Lenzie is a small town near Glasgow, apparently.

[twoshortplan]

Superb. Thank you