Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

September puzzle: ***

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YoqwHkyV7v9l6Ieuzz2c19K-faNGOqtM/view?usp=drive_link

August solution:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qqJbJ-hk1lc1LOR2n33nU05HncblmZOX/view?usp=drive_link

For best results, please download, open, then print.

Scans courtesy of Sunray.
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*** PS. Larger grid for older eyes:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Umyoout4IQBmk9_UOWFnGMnTcKScWAPs/view?usp=sharing

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Previous puzzles & threads can be found here:

2023: https://tinyurl.com/2yu5xf9x

2022: https://tinyurl.com/c9hfuf44

2021: https://tinyurl.com/yysa2ckr

2020: https://tinyurl.com/u584qqb

2019: http://tinyurl.com/y9z7ukwd

2018: http://tinyurl.com/ybkexusg

2017: http://tinyurl.com/je5vkm8

2016: http://tinyurl.com/h2zduy4

2015: http://tinyurl.com/oynnjsx

2014: http://tinyurl.com/o6g6w4u

That was a bit harder than usual from Mr. Maltby. Not sure how he snuck row 4 past his editor!

Thanks sunray & syzygy (& Mr. Maltby).

Brilliant construction; looks impossible at first but is so much fun. Thanks, syzzie and sunray.

Thanks yet again syzygy and sunray, a seriously good puzzle, most enjoyable. Glad to see I wasn't alone in row 4 in the completed grid, doubtlessly unintentional, "jumping out" at me. Hopefully, by not getting round to this until now with this post reappearing on the front page it might attract some more attention.

I am stuck.
Please could I have a clue to each of 3,5 and 48?

Hi, Ros. 3 parses as 3 + 3: a computer key + cut. 5 is a reversal of a famous store in NYC, with the usual piano contained. 48: "quits? No, it's"

Thank you darla. Got 5, will have to ponder on the other 2.

Hi Everyone, I have never tried to solve a crossword like this, where do I start? Do the answers have to be put in a certain way? any tips help or advice would be welcomed.

TIA

I started by solving three adjacent clues so I could work out how to write them in the cells. In this case 33, 34 and 40. For most words two of the letters overlap with another word but as they can start in any space and go backwards or forwards it's a question of trial and error to start with. If you can find answers with a rare letter it helps.
I start with the anagrams as it's easier.

As rosalind says, as soon as you have a few of the cells properly interlocked you can work from there. I usually just go through the list of clues and solve as many as possible without reference to the grid, then look for adjacent entries with letters in common. Keep in mind that adjacent entries may not be consecutive in the list.