Our most recent cluing competition has raised a fascinating issue of what words can properly be defined in cryptic clues. BLACK PAWN? How about WHITE KNIGHT?
It’s in the nature of a snap election, I suppose, that we shouldn’t expect to have yet seen any special puzzles themed around 8 June. But we shall keep an eye here on how Westminster is portrayed in crosswording. So far, the Conservatives have been the most visible, although not always in a flattering light. I’m thinking of clues such as Neo’s in the Financial Times ...
25acTory backed with nothing offers negative response (2,3,2)
[ reversal (‘backed’) of an abbrev. for ‘Tory’, then synonym for ‘with’ + letter resembling ‘nothing’ ]
[ reversal of CON, then AND + O ]
9acGoing roundto corrupt a politician (8)
[ synonym for ‘to corrupt’ + example of ‘a politician’ ]
[ ROT + A TORY ]
18dCommitted to the party but unswervingly offensive (4-4)
[ synonyms for ‘unswervingly’ and ‘offensive’ ]
[ TRUE + BLUE ]
13dConservative down, worried about keydeadline? (7,4)
[ abbrev. for ‘Conservative’ + synonym for ‘down’ + synonym for ‘worried’, all surrounding (‘about’) a musical key ]
[ C + LOSING + ATE, all surrounding D ]
18acInterpret as accurate when introduced by Tories (8)
[ synonym for ‘accurate’ preceded by (‘when introduced by’) abbrev. for ‘Tories’ ]
[ TRUE preceded by CONS ]
10acComplexsituation doesn’t require judge sitting in court (9)
[ synonym for ‘situation’ without (‘doesn’t require’) abbrev. for ‘judge’, then synonym for ‘sitting in court’ ]
[ JOB without J, then SESSION ]
15dClinics supporting old boy with fetishes (10)
[ synonym for ‘clinics’ under (‘supporting’) abbrev. for ‘old boy’ ]
[ SESSIONS under OB ]
I wonder if all the clues that are giving some sort of synonym for a chess piece are quite playing fair (including my own). Obviously, it’s a chess piece, but it wouldn’t be in a crossword because it’s a chess piece. If I solved a puzzle and found black pawn to be one of the solutions I’d feel a bit miffed.
28dPeoplecare when the odds are switched (4)
[ CARE, with its first and third (odd) letters switched ]