In the intricate world of cryptic crosswords, where wordplay reigns supreme, a recent Guardian puzzle achieved something truly extraordinary—a feat that even the paper’s seasoned crossword editor thought impossible. The mastermind behind this marvel? A setter known as Twin, who found inspiration in a beloved sketch by the legendary British comedy duo, The Two Ronnies.
Unraveling the Impossible
The Guardian’s Genius crossword series is renowned for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with cryptic clues. In the past, setters have crafted grids that doubled as visual representations, such as the climactic scene from The Shawshank Redemption. However, Twin’s October Genius took things to an entirely new level.
The puzzle came with a cryptic set of instructions:
Each answer is clued by wordplay only. Two symmetrically opposite answers give the theme of a sketch, and the answer to the question: who performed it?
At first glance, solvers might not grasp the true nature of the challenge that lay ahead. It wasn’t until they encountered clues like “9 down” that the mind-bending brilliance of Twin’s creation began to reveal itself.
The Two Ronnies Connection
The key to unraveling this cryptic masterpiece lay in a sketch from the first episode of series eight of The Two Ronnies, which aired in 1980. Written by the ingenious David Renwick, the sketch features Ronnie Barker as a contestant on a fictional quiz show called “Mastermind,” hosted by Ronnie Corbett.
In the sketch, Barker’s character, Charlie Smithers, has chosen to “answer the question before last” each time—a comedic twist that would inspire Twin’s groundbreaking crossword. As solvers worked their way through the puzzle, they discovered that each clue not only provided wordplay for its own entry but also served as a definition for the previous answer.
A Setter’s Perspective
When asked about the challenges of constructing such an intricately interconnected puzzle, Twin revealed that his only doubt was whether it could be done well. To illustrate the concept, he used a random word generator to create two words—CLINIC and RUNG—and swiftly wrote a clue that provided wordplay for the first and a definition for the second:
“Called, likely if needed in conversation, primarily?”
Twin noted that while such clues might be easy to create, they wouldn’t necessarily make for an enjoyable solving experience. The true challenge lay in crafting a puzzle that was both technically impressive and genuinely entertaining for solvers.
Hidden Gems and Loving Nods
Beyond the central conceit, Twin’s Genius crossword was peppered with delightful nods to the Two Ronnies sketch that inspired it. Every clue was phrased as a question, and the puzzle featured words like THATCHER, AUNT, TARANTULA, and PEERAGE, all of which appeared in the original comedy routine.
Even the final clue, which had no subsequent entry to define, served as a clever paraphrase of the sketch’s iconic line: “I’ve started so I’ll finish.” These loving touches not only paid homage to the source material but also rewarded solvers who were familiar with the classic British comedy.
A Setter’s Lament and a Call to Action
For Twin, one of the greatest challenges of being a crossword setter is the lack of immediate feedback. “The sad thing about being a crossword setter is that it’s very rare to witness anyone actually solving your puzzle,” he lamented. “So I’d be fascinated to know when the theme clicked for solvers.”
This sentiment underscores the unique relationship between setter and solver—a bond forged through shared passion, intellectual curiosity, and a love of language. It’s a reminder that behind every fiendishly clever clue and elegantly constructed grid lies a human being eager to connect with others through the power of wordplay.
As we marvel at the ingenuity of Twin’s Genius crossword and the enduring legacy of The Two Ronnies, let us also take a moment to appreciate the art form that brings us together. Whether you’re a seasoned solver or a curious newcomer, there’s never been a better time to dive into the wonderfully wacky world of cryptic crosswords.
So sharpen your pencils, put on your thinking caps, and join the ranks of the Genius solvers. Who knows? You might just find yourself laughing along with Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett as you unravel the next great puzzle—one clue at a time.
