Friday, January 14, 2011 (DT 26370)

Daily Telegraph Puzzle Number DT 26370
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Setter Jay
Link to Full Review Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 26370]
Big Dave's Review Written By Crypticsue
Big Dave's Rating
Difficulty - ***	Enjoyment - ****
Falcon's Performance ████████████████████

Introduction

Speaking for myself, this puzzle was a bit easier than the one yesterday - seemingly quite the reverse of the Brits' perception. This no doubt is attributable to the large number of British references in yesterday's puzzle, many of which were likely dead giveaways to the Brits, but totally obscure to most North Americans. Today's puzzle, on the other hand, is almost entirely devoid of such references.

Today's Glossary

Selected abbreviations, people, places, words and expressions appearing in today's puzzle

Appearing in Clues:

Be advised that glossary entries appearing in clues may relate to items that have been used by the setter to create a surface reading that provides misdirection to the solver.

striker - noun 2 [2^nd entry] (chiefly in soccer) a forward or attacker.

Commentary on Today's Puzzle

This commentary should be read in conjunction with the review at Big Dave's Crossword Blog, to which a link is provided in the table above.

13a   Country that's in a state (7)

This clue didn't strike me as being very cryptic. I think we are supposed to read "in a state" as 'in total confusion' or something similar, as in the statement "I arrived to find things in such a state". In an effective clue, one must work to find the real meaning that is hidden behind the surface reading. In this clue, I find that I have to work to find the intended surface reading.

23a   Fancy striker beginning to attack (7)

Soccer fans will appreciate the surface reading in this clue - others may well miss the intent. A striker is a 'forward or attacker' in soccer.

Signing off for today - Falcon