Crossword editor’s desk: a genius uncloaked | Crosswords

When November’s Genius puzzle germinated in July, nobody knew how standard its hidden theme could be by the point of publication. “A celeb model of The Traitors?” sniffed the sceptics. “We – and so they – will already know the personalities. Typical horrible TV concept. Received’t work.”Eleven million stay viewers later, we are able to now take a look on the stuffed model of Glyph’s outstanding grid. Or fairly, grids. Solvers are instructed:
Entrants should choose a facet. The vast majority of down clues will need to have a letter eliminated earlier than fixing. These letters, taken in clue order, inform the solver of 1 who could not choose a facet.
The additional letters gave us CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN and 4 clues had been ambiguous, giving equally legitimate solutions comparable to these …
BEARS or BARESPATER or PRIORFAT or OATGOLFBALL or GOLFBAGS
… which means that the central entry T __ E __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ may equally nicely be THE FAITHFUL or THE TRAITORS.Genius puzzle no 269There is much more to it than that and the puzzle as an entire performs the identical thoughts video games as its topic; I’m wondering what Glyph could have for us subsequent?December’s Genius awaits and in our cluing convention, thanks on your clues for SCALES. The audacity award is Montano’s for the knowingly unwieldy “Sibelius and Shostakovich premieres gatecrashed by experimental musician enjoying drone-like patterns of notes?”One runner-up is Crowsfeet324 for “Musical ups and downs for soprano after second chilly beer”; the opposite is a uncommon joint honour. In a paragon of collegiate working and an indication that feedback sections needn’t be poisonous, we’ve got, from Mr_Rob_T and Newlaplandes: “Amusing at coronary heart, Cleese repeatedly seen penning a line for her”.And the winner: “A significant climbs ranges. A minor too”. Kludos to KenJam; please depart entries for CAT BURNS under, together with any favorite clues or puzzles you’ve got noticed.188 Phrases for Rain by Alan Connor is printed by Ebury (£16.99). To assist the Guardian, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Supply expenses could apply.