The Times Crossword Friday Masterclass: Episode 34: This Is VICIOUS
TLDRIn this bonus edition of 'Cracking the Cryptic', the host tackles a challenging Times cryptic crossword puzzle, deemed the second hardest in recent months. The video is a lengthy one as the host shares the process of solving the puzzle, offering insights into the strategies used in tackling cryptic clues. The host also announces the upcoming Times Crossword Championship, encouraging speed solvers to participate and compete with top solvers. Despite the difficulty, the host manages to solve the puzzle, providing a mix of humor and frustration as they navigate through the complex wordplay.
Takeaways
- π The speaker is tackling a particularly challenging Times cryptic crossword, rated as the second hardest in recent months.
- π There's an announcement about the upcoming Times Crossword Championship on October 21st, a significant event for cryptic crossword enthusiasts.
- π The speaker provides some details about the Championship, including the entry fee and the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals.
- π€ The crossword clues discussed in the video are complex, requiring a deep understanding of wordplay, anagrams, and cryptic definitions.
- 𧩠The process of solving the crossword involves a combination of logical deduction, educated guessing, and familiarity with the style of cryptic clues.
- π― The speaker successfully solves several clues, demonstrating their skill and knowledge in cryptic crosswords.
- π₯΄ There are moments of struggle and uncertainty, especially with one particularly difficult clue involving 'slope leading aircraftman to block soldiers'.
- π€ The video highlights the patience and persistence required to tackle advanced cryptic crossword puzzles.
- π The speaker occasionally references external knowledge, such as the meaning of 'condite' as a meteorite and the abbreviation 'AC' for 'aircraftman'.
- π Despite the speaker's extensive experience, there are still unknowns and moments of doubt, emphasizing the learning aspect of solving crosswords.
- π The video concludes with the speaker expressing mixed feelings about their performance but appreciating the challenge of the puzzle.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video?
-The main topic of the video is the attempt to solve a challenging Times cryptic crossword puzzle, considered the second hardest in the last few months.
What significant event is mentioned at the beginning of the video?
-The significant event mentioned is the Times Crossword Championship, which is an upcoming competition for speed solving cryptic crosswords.
When is the Times Crossword Championship scheduled to take place?
-The Times Crossword Championship is scheduled to take place on the 21st of October.
What is the cost to enter the Times Crossword Championship?
-The cost to enter the Times Crossword Championship is about Β£40.
What is a spoonerism as mentioned in the puzzle?
-A spoonerism is a play on words where the initial letters of a phrase are reversed, resulting in a new phrase with a different meaning.
What is the significance of the term 'air commodore' in the context of the puzzle?
-In the context of the puzzle, 'air commodore' is an abbreviation used as a clue to solve one of the crossword entries. It is a senior rank in some air forces and represents a leading aircraftman.
What does the term 'condite' refer to in the puzzle?
-The term 'condite' refers to a meteorite, which is a word play in the puzzle related to the phrase 'visitor from space tricked'.
What is the difficulty level of the puzzle being solved in the video?
-The difficulty level of the puzzle is very high, as it is rated the second hardest puzzle in the last three or four months.
What is the significance of the term 'letters patent' in the puzzle?
-In the puzzle, 'letters patent' refers to a historical term for a document conferring a patent or privilege, typically written on open sheets of parchment.
How does the speaker describe their experience with the puzzle?
-The speaker describes their experience as challenging and admits to having to guess on several words due to lack of knowledge in certain areas, expressing some frustration and a sense of letting down the viewers.
Outlines
π Introduction to the Cryptic Crossword Challenge
The speaker introduces a bonus edition of a crossword puzzle-solving video, highlighting the difficulty of the Times cryptic crossword for the day. They mention the upcoming Times Crossword Championship and provide details about the event, including the date, the cost, and the opportunity to compete with renowned crossword solvers. The speaker then begins tackling the crossword, sharing their thought process and strategies for solving the complex clues.
𧩠Puzzle Solving: Initial Clues and Challenges
The speaker continues to work on the crossword, discussing the initial clues and their approaches to solving them. They encounter difficulty with some of the cryptic clues, particularly those involving anagrams and wordplay. Despite the challenges, the speaker manages to solve a few clues, providing explanations for their reasoning and the crossword techniques they're employing.
π€ Deep Dive into Complex Crossword Clues
The speaker delves deeper into the crossword, grappling with more complex clues. They discuss the intricacies of the puzzle, including the use of homophones, anagrams, and definitions that require a deep understanding of English language nuances. The speaker also shares their moments of doubt and the mental blocks they face while solving, highlighting the difficulty of the puzzle.
π Overcoming Obstacles: Solving Tricky Clues
The speaker persists in their efforts to solve the crossword, overcoming obstacles and making progress with tricky clues. They discuss the process of elimination and the use of educated guesses to arrive at potential answers. The speaker also reflects on the satisfaction of solving complex puzzles and the learning experience it provides.
π€― Final Push: Wrapping Up the Crossword
In the final stages of the crossword, the speaker makes a final push to solve the remaining clues. They discuss the most challenging aspects of the puzzle and the strategies they've used to tackle them. The speaker expresses frustration with some clues but also acknowledges the value of the intellectual exercise, despite the difficulties encountered.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Cryptic Crossword
π‘Snitch Rating
π‘Spoonerism
π‘Anagram
π‘Cross References
π‘Times Crossword Championship
π‘Cryptic Clues
π‘Wordplay
π‘Solving Strategy
π‘Patronymic
Highlights
The puzzle is described as the second hardest in the last few months, indicating a high level of difficulty.
The host announces the Times Crossword Championship, a significant event for speed solving cryptic crosswords.
The Championship is scheduled for October 21st, providing a specific date for interested participants.
The entry fee for the Championship is Β£40, offering a cost associated with participation.
The host shares personal enthusiasm for the Championship, recommending it to others based on past experience.
The puzzle begins with a Spoonerism clue, showcasing the unique language play characteristic of cryptic crosswords.
The host demonstrates the process of solving a Spoonerism, providing insight into the puzzle-solving technique.
The host encounters difficulty with a clue involving a sarcastic card from a rude writer, highlighting the challenge of the puzzle.
The process of elimination and hypothesis testing is detailed as the host attempts to solve a tough clue.
The host expresses frustration with a particularly challenging clue, adding a human element to the solving process.
A breakthrough is achieved with the realization of a word for a leading aircraftman, illustrating the 'aha' moments in puzzle-solving.
The host discusses the word 'condite', a meteorite, showing the specialized knowledge required for some clues.
The final clue proves to be the most difficult, with the host struggling to find the correct word after extensive analysis.
The host's perseverance is evident as they continue to work on the puzzle despite the challenges.
The host reflects on the experience, questioning the value of such a difficult puzzle and the enjoyment it may provide to viewers.
The host concludes by expressing gratitude for the viewership and promises to return with more episodes, maintaining engagement with the audience.
Transcripts
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