Newsgroups: rec.puzzles.crosswords
Subject: C5-2d Results
Organization: MV Communications, Inc.


==========================

COLLABORATIVE CRYPTIC CROSSWORD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP (C5)

CHAMPIONSHIP # 2   	SEGMENT LETTER D    

RESULTS:

The winning entry is from Brian Westley(Merlyn LeRoy):

Chairman has rest disturbed by bandleader (7)
Tom left it unsaid (5)
"Wings" speaks volumes (8)

Second place goes to David Bullock:

Expert at Morse code (7)
Implied in agreement I categorically rejected (5)
Go over charges for revised books (8)

Third place goes to the emergent Jean O'Conor:

Toscanini's ear - most unusual (7)
Djakarta citizens have understood (5)
Tide left particles amounting to volumes (8)

Moderation duty (and the associated "benevolent point") for the
next segment falls to David Bullock.

The current point tally is as follows:

	Merlyn LeRoy       - 7
	Pete Mitchell      - 5
	Brian Spollen      - 4
	David Bullock      - 3
	Ed Coulson         - 3
	Gail Koontz        - 2
	Matthew Merzbacher - 2
	Murray Smith       - 1
	Jean O'Conor       - 1



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Following are all the entries with explanations.  Moderator's comments
are delineated by "==>".














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==>  GENERAL COMMENTS:  "Master" was, I felt, too close to "maestro" in
==>  both sound and etymology ("maestro" is "master" in Italian, both
==>  deriving from the Latin "magister") to be used in the definition.
==>  Also, I wasn't crazy about EDITIONS clues that used EDIT as one
==>  of the subsidiary parts; I prefer utilizing words that are 
==>  unrelated to the word being clued.
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Master whirlpool lost a litre and dissipated finally (7)

   (Charade with deletions)
   Master             = defn.
   whirlpool          = MAELSTROM
   lost a litre       = delete L  = MAE[L]STROM
   dissipated finally = delete last letter = MAESTRO[M]

==>  What's a "master whirlpool"?  Interesting concept.  Don't
==>  like "master" as a definition.

Implied that a citizen is partly responsible (5) 

   (Hidden word)
   implied                = defn.
   thatT A CITizen        = fodder
   is partly responsible  = hidden word indicator

==>  Indicator seems a bit of a stretch -- I don't see how "responsible"
==>  fits.  Good surface.

Diverge into side issues (8)

   (Anagram)
   diverge   = anagram indicator
   into side = fodder
   issues    = defn.

==>  Don't like "diverge" as an anagram indicator as it's not
==>  normally a transitive verb, and when it is it means "deflect".
==>  Good use of fodder into a surface.
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Master conductor arranged some art (7)

"master conductor" = definition.
"arranged" = anagram indicator
"some art" = fodder.  
it's neat when an anagram fits the word, but i doubt i'll be alone in using it.

==>  Don't like use of "master" in the definition.  Decent anagram.

Unspoken knowledge of what would be appropriate to do around one? (5)

"unspoken" = definition.
"knowledge of what would be appropriate to do" = TACT
"one" = I
TACT around I -> TACIT.

==>  Decent container with an interesting breakdown.  Good clue, if
==>  a touch long for such a short word.

Publication forms change Jupiter's fifth in opposite directions (8)

"publication forms" = definition.
"change" = EDIT
"Jupiter's fifth" = IO.  Io is the fifth of Jupiter's moons.  wrote it that
                         way to maximize misleadiness (is that a word?), and
                         because breaking into edit/ions was too boring.
"in opposite directions" = north / south, or NS.  Wonder if that's legal?
Anyways, EDIT + IO + NS -> EDITIONS.

==>  Tough clue.  Strange surface; does it mean anything?  Prefer not
==>  using EDIT as a subsidiary piece.
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Conductor even impaled set trio (7)
        
        Conductor = definition
        even = 2nd letters only
        iMpAlEd SeT tRiO = fodder
        
        Surface: Bernstein brutally brandishing broken baton?        

==>  Decent clue, thought the surface reading is awkward.
	
This approval contains inference that's hinted at! (5)
	
	&lit clue 
	hinted at = first letters indicator

==>  I feel like the definition is asking for a noun rather than
==>  an adjective ("this approval" as opposed to "this type of
==>  approval").  "Hinted at" is new to me as a first-letter
==>  indicator, but I don't think it's unfair.
	
Impressions of book invoke treason when read back-to-front? (8)

	Impressions of book = definition (the various revisions etc.)
	invoke = indication that some conjuring is necessary
	treason = indirect fodder = sedition
	when read back-to-front = move last letter of answer to	front
	? = indication that unusual construction is present
	(S)EDITION [S]

	The use of indirect fodder may be anathema to some of the
	participants, but the rules are explicit that such devices are
	considered legitimate in this contest. As the word to be clued
	is a plural ending in "s" (which are generally easier to solve
	than singular words), and given the fact that "editions" is the
	only word I can find which fits with the crossing letters, I
	feel this clue is eminently fair and easily solveable.

==>  Indirect fodder is an anathema to most for *anagram* clues -- not
==>  not just in general.  The reason for this is the sheer number of
==>  possibilities available when anagramming every possible solution
==>  of the indirection (more than one of which might easily fit the
==>  clue).  For deletions, reversals, homophones, charades, containers,
==>  etc., including the fodder directly is usually too simple.
==>  I think "when read back-to-front", while fitting the surface admirably,
==>  is more indicative of a reversal.  Simply "back-to-front" would more
==>  more accurately describe the cryptic action required (though, of
==>  course, it would be harder to fit into the theme).  Nice surface.	
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Mother England to sort out leadership role (7)

(Charade/partial anagram)
Mother= MA
England=E
sort out= STRO
leadership role= definition of MAESTRO

==>  Good clue.  Solid and meaningful.

Implied what kitti-cats ate up (5)

(Hidden reversal)
Implied= definition of TACIT
kitTI-CATs = fodder 
ate up= hidden reversal indicator (it IS a down clue.)

==>  "What" is extraneous, and I've never seen that particular
==>  spelling of kitty cats.  Makes it a pretty obvious container
==>  fodder.

Drunk tied one on, by some initial versions  (8)

(Charade/partial anagram)
Drunk=anagram indicator
tied=fodder =>EDIT
one=I
on=ON
by=connector
some initial=S
versions=definition of EDITIONS

==>  A second charade/partial anagram?  Tsk tsk!
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Upset, short seaman catches a man holding a baton (7)

    HIDDEN WORD:
    "upset" = down-clue reversal indicator
    "shORT SEAMan" = hidden-word phrase
    "catches" = hidden word indicator
    "a man holding a baton" = def.

==>  His own?  ;-)  Nice clue.

Quiet, disheveled attic (5)

    ANAGRAM:
    "quiet" = def.
    "disheveled" = anagram indicator
    "attic" anagrammed = "tacit"

==>  Another good one!

Issues units of plasma after fluid level makes a comeback (8)

    CHARADE:
    "issues" = def.
    "units of plasma" = "ions" (plasma in the physics sense)
    "after" = positional indicator
    "fluid level" = "tide"
    "makes a comeback" = reversal indicator
    tide reversed = "edit"

==>  Tough clue.  "Fluid level" might be a bit of a stretch for
==>  TIDE; "tide" tends to imply motion, while "level" describes
==>  a static state.  Nice surface, but wouldn't one issue
==>  plasma *before* the fluid level makes a comeback?
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More sat around the eminent teacher (7)

Type: Anagram

More sat - anagram fodder
around - anagram indicator
the eminent teacher - definition

Surface: Eminence has its own rewards

==>  An okay anagram.

Say nothing in Calcutta city (5)

Type: Hidden Word

Say nothing - definition
in - hidden word indicator
Calcutta city - hides TACIT

Surface: Advice to the boisterous traveller

==>  "Say nothing" is a verb phrase; "tacit" is an adjective.

I hear Eddie shuns multiple printings (8)

Type: Homophone

I hear - homophone indicator
Eddie shuns - EDITIONS
multiple printings - definition

Surface: Eddie only likes original editions

==>  He a pretty strong accent, too.  :-)
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Chairman has rest disturbed by bandleader (7)

MA(estr)O

==>  I like this clue.  Good surface and good balance of
==>  cryptic elements.

Tom left it unsaid (5)

cat reversed + it
(Could be an &lit, but the sentence looks wrong with a !)

==>  I'm glad you didn't make it an &lit; it's a much cleaner
==>  clue the way it is (keep the definition an adjective).
==>  Good job.

"Wings" speaks volumes (8)

additions homophone
("Wings" is a TV show, if you aren't familiar with it;
additions in the sense of wings on a house are additions)

==>  Another nice clue. 
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          ======  for definition
          ------  for charade elements
          ~~~~~~  for anagram fodder
          ^^^^^^^^^^^^  for signals

==>  A side note.  This method of explaining clues falls apart if you
==>  happen to be using a proportional font.  :-)

          West of Hollywood, gets an eccentric sort of music director? (7)
          -----------------  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ~~~~    ==============
                MAE                (anagram)   STRO

             '?' for the indirect reference to Mae West.
             MAE + STRO partial-anagram charade.

==>  I like the cryptic elements.  The surface feels a bit strained.
==>  I don't follow your decision to use "gets", as it doesn't seem
==>  (to me) to add anything positive to either the cryptic or the
==>  surface.

          It's a script, even without words (5)
           T   A  C I T  ^^^^^^^^ =============

             Alternate hidden-letter clue.

==>  Decent clue.

          Issues reversed current: charged particles (8)
          ====== ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ -------  -----------------
                           TIDE           IONS

              Reversal charade.

==>  My initial reaction was that tide and current are not the same,
==>  but the dictionary supports yours as a valid definition.  I
==>  don't understand the surface.
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Expert at Morse code (7)

Anagram
Expert = definition
at Morse = fodder
code = anagram indicator

==>  Very good anagram clue.  Smooth and efficient.

Implied in agreement I categorically rejected (5)

Reverse container
Implied = definition
in = container indicator
agreemenT I CATegorically = TACIT (reversed)
rejected = reversal indicator

==>  Another excellent clue.

Go over charges for revised books (8)

Charade
Go over = EDIT
charges = IONS
revised books = definition

==>  And a nice charade to top it off.  I wish EDIT hadn't been one of
==>  the subsidiary pieces.
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Producer of some art - an understatement? (7)

"Producer" indicates that MAESTRO is an anagram of "some art".
The whole clue indicates that it is an understatement to suggest 
that a maestro merely produces some art whereas a meastro is a
great artist (in whichever field - notably music)

==>  "Producer of" is a vague indicator at best.  I don't follow
==>  the rest of the clue.  Is it meant to be an &lit (i.e. the
==>  whole clue is the definition)?  If so, the the "an understatement"
==>  part is extraneous from a cryptic standpoint.  If not, then
==>  the mechanism is lost on me.

Understood essence of contata citation (5)

Hidden word clue indicated by "essence". 
"Understood" - definition, as in not explicit.
"contaTA CITation" - fodder

==>  "Contata citation" is obviously some form of fodder.  In hidden
==>  word clues, I like fodder that changes the *sounds* of the
==>  letters, so the word doesn't jump out at you in the first
==>  reading.

Versions of beau echoing through the ages (8)

Homophone + container

"versions" - definition
"beau" => DISH as in handsome fellow
"echoing" - DISH => DITI with the same pronunciation
"the ages" - EONS (in US spelling)
"through" - container indicater - E(DITI)ONS

==>  This one's a stretch for me.  Maybe if DITI were an actual word
==>  that sounded like "dish".  Even then, it would be a bit of a 
==>  nasty clue.  Partial homophones usually are, unless they are
==>  clued directly.
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Extort seamen who held up conductor (6)

  (reverse) hidden-word
  ExtORT SEAMen = fodder
  who held up   = reverse hidden word
  conductor     = defn.

==>  Cryptically sound.  Surface okay.

Quiet one is surrounded by taste (5)

  charade
  Quiet            = defn.
  one              = I
  is surrounded by = charade indicator
  taste            = TACT -> TAC(I)T

==>  Actually, it's a container not a charade.  Decent clue.  Surface
==>  is functional.

Some books, repeatedly.  Repeat: Sum books, repeatedly (8)

  homophone
  Some books, repeatedly = defn.
  Repeat:                = homophone indicator (as in "repeat after me")
  Sum books, repeatedly  = ADDITIONS

  This could be made more difficult:
    Sum books, repeatedly.  Repeat: Some books, repeatedly (8)
  where the "repeat" goes with the first sentence in the cryptic, even
  though it's with the second in the surface.

==>  Very clever.  :-)
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Toscanini's ear - most unusual (7)

Toscanini = definition
ear most = fodder
unusual = anagram indicator

==>  I like it, in an offbeat way.  Good anagram.

Djakarta citizens have understood (5)

Djakarta citizens = hidden word
have = indicator
understood = definition

==>  Have understood what?  Nice clue.

Tide left particles amounting to volumes (8)

edit+ions = charade
left = reversal indicator 
particles = ions
volumes = definition

==>  Yet another decent clue.  Good job.
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First, "muse" on Erato's farcical genius (7)

	charade, anagram
	First "muse" - M
	on - "stuck on to"
	Erato's - anagram fodder for AESTRO
	farcical - anagram indicator
	genius - definition of MAESTRO

==>  Cute.  :-)

Pavarotti caterwauls:  private setback is inferred (5)

	hidden, reversed
	Pavarotti caterwauls: - hiding place for TICAT
	private - hidden word indicator
	setback - reversal indicator
		so:  TACIT
	is - connector
	inferred - definition of TACIT

==>  "Pavarotti caterwauls" *feels* like fodder.  Okay clue.

Leaderless rebellions create singular impressions (8)

	subtraction
	Leaderless - take off first letter
	rebellions - SEDITIONS - S = EDITIONS
	create - connector
	singular impressions - definition of EDITIONS

==>  Nice use of the deletion type.
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Expert crafted some art (7)

	Anagram clue
	EXPERT - defn     CRAFTED - indicator   SOME ART - fodder

==>  Smooth and functional.  Good anagram.

Silent sat a city, shielding secrets (5)

	Hidden-word clue
	SILENT - defn   SAt a citY - fodder  SHIELDING SECRETS - indicator

==>  A little alliteration lends lovely lyricism.  :-)

Revolts without a leader still leave impressions (8)

	Beheading clue
	REVOLTS - seditions   WITHOUT A LEADER - indicator
	STILL LEAVE - connecting words   IMPRESSIONS - defn.

==>  Same cryptic elements as the the entry above, though I like this
==>  one's surface a touch better.  I'd probably have dropped the "still".
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