Paul's Clue Competition Archive

Results W/E 08/02/09    Back to archive >>

Super efforts again this week, for which I’d like to thank you all.

Some didn’t quite make the commended list on account of their clues being a little long. Do have a look to see how snappy you can make your clues. These tend to be the most memorable.

I remember in my early Guardian days actually working out the average clue length of my puzzles. I’d always aim for under 6.5 over the whole puzzle. The third puzzle I ever had published was 7.28, I remember! Looking back, it was a messy affair.

I challenge anyone to write a technically sound, and fun, puzzle with an average clue length under 6.0. If you’re trying to get published, something along these lines might be just the thing to catch an editor’s eye.

This week’s commended (always in no particular order):

CG Rishikesh, Chennai, India, for: Erotic doctor leaves laundress in a fluster (7) SENSUAL

Barnaby Page, Harwich, for: Trading vehicles (7) TRAFFIC

Adrian Beard, Newcastle, for: Mad Bo? (3,3,4,8) NOT THE FULL SHILLING

Ian Stark, Hampshire, for: Call for anti-diplomacy (7) CONTACT

Anna Pye, Skipton, for: Y? (5,6) HAPPY ENDING

Stephen Clarke, Sydney, for: Bank reported to auditors, heehaw! (4) BRAY

Mark Longair, Edinburgh, for: Geeks with Bilbo produced a cult film (3,3,8) THE BIG LEBOWSKI

Stephen Clarke, Sydney, for: Good butcher’s reportedly getting promotion (10) PROPAGANDA

This week’s winners:

BRONZE: Stephen Clarke, Sydney, for the elegance and imagery of: I don’t know if cashmere can be plaited (6,2) SEARCH ME

For me, the top two were tough to separate, but I eventually chose the winner on account of its accessibility to a larger solving audience, though both clues are lovely:

SILVER: Neil Walker, Barrow-in-Furness, for: Dinky model aka Hornby (6) TWIGGY

AND THE WINNER!

GOLD: Tom Latter, London, for: Tax collector? (3) VAT

Thanks once again for all your wonderful input, and enjoy your solving week!

All the best,
John (Paul)