1st Open Crossword competition for crossword buffs in Tamilnadu . Conducted through Crossword Association of Tamilnadu.
Photographs from the prize distribution
.jpeg)
 |
| TNPL CMD handing over the winners cheque to Bhalachandra Pasupathy |
 |
| L to R - Bhalachandra Pasupathy, Ramki Krishnan, Lakshmi Vaidyanathan, Ashirwad Viswanathan |
Thanks sir for putting it 🙏
ReplyDeletehow many rounds???
DeleteIs it open for all? Or only students?
ReplyDeleteDomocile of TN!
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteWhen it is starting
ReplyDelete11 AM . Hope you have registered
DeleteI finished at 45th in the leaderboard. When is the next round?
ReplyDeleteIn the fourth picture from the top, I am guessing Krisscross(2nd) and Economizer(4th) from left.
ReplyDeleteQuite right. Mr. Pasupathy is the setter formerly known as xChequer (ex-xChequer?). While chatting I discovered that he has a background in financial management (now retired) which makes his nom de plume apt.
DeleteIn the 5th picture from the top, not the 4th!
DeleteCongratulations @Bhala !
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteThanks both
DeleteRamki reminded me at the function today that I have not been active on the blog recently. I had been meaning to share about my experience at the IXL final on Dec 24, 2023 and subsequently in the Tamil Nadu Open Online Cryptic Crossword Contest. Some of the highlights:
ReplyDelete- The IXL finals were tough. Out of 30 qualifying finalists, 19 came to Bengaluru. There was a written round with 2 grids (only pencil and paper allowed) followed by an on-stage round-robin (also 2 grids) for the top 6 from the written round. Crucially, only 60 minutes were allowed to solve 2 grids in the written round. Ordinarily, unless the setter is Incognito, it's hard to crack 30 minutes for 1 grid. These puzzles were set by Gussalufz and Fraz. Only around 6 or 7 got more than 80% within the allotted time IIRC. Somewhere around the 45-minute mark I had that sinking feeling one gets before submitting an incomplete exam. I think I got around 60% of clues.
- It was nice to meet Col. Gopinath, who took pains to arbitrate the IXL competition and ensure fairness of the clues and scoring. I also got to meet his wife Gita.
- Hypatia and family visited from Bahrain. I discovered she grew up not far from where I live. She missed out on the top 6 by just a few points.
- I was hoping to meet Karaoke at the IXL finals, but he could not make it. I learned that he has won the ACAD Senior contest this year. Congrats, Karaoke.
- KrissKross of course was there to defend his title, and was well-known to all at the IXL event.
- As I had not qualified for the on-stage round, I took a seat next to Avtaar (who had set one of the on-stage grids). Not that sitting close to the setter gave me any advantage whatsoever in solving the clues - it was a fittingly tough grid for the finals of such a competition.
- As mentioned above, xChequer (also from Chennai) was present for the event. He had set two of the grids in the online rounds. It was nice to learn his views about the importance of cryptic grammar as a crossword setter.
- The venerable Arden was present as well. I mentioned to him that some of his grids have given me headaches, to which his response was equal parts concerned and taken aback. He's challenged me to set 100 grids to better understand the headaches faced by the setter, which I think is a nice target to have.
- Perhaps the top highlight for me was getting to meet my favourite setter Dr. X. He was one of the backbones of the event, with his presence required non-stop for scoring and arbitration. If Arden's clues can give headaches, Dr. X's clues contain the antidote. As the setter of the final grid which decided the winner of the contest, he had added his special "masala" into the clues, prompting some to quip that perhaps IXL must have a censor board.
- The TN Open crossword contest was a few days later, and it was significantly easier (13x13 grid set by Lakshmi). I finished 4th having completed the grid in 12 minutes. The winner finished in 7 minutes. We both felt it was possible to solve it faster. Perhaps if Ramki had been a contestant instead of an organizer, we could have discovered the true record time.
Thanks to the organizers of these competitions, particularly of IXL who conducted the event with pomp and circumstance, giving out trophies, cups, mementos and t-shirts - such a glamorous ceremony is a big deal given that solving the crossword is a solitary activity for most of us and is often under-appreciated by our close friends and family. Thanks also to the Crossword Association of Tamil Nadu, which is in its infancy and poised to grow into a strong regional association promoting the hobby, backed by prominent personalities and institutions.
That's a wonderful summary. Thanks!
DeleteThanks for the detailed write-up. It was a pleasure meeting you. I am quite certain you shall be on stage in the coming years!
DeleteNice summary!
DeleteSummarized very well, thanks Econ. Good to see you too in the pics.
DeleteI believe this grid is a cakewalk for Bhala, congrats
Delete@Aashirwad: Good summary, touching upon IXL and this contest. Nice meeting you both in Bangalore and Chennai (latter along with your parents, my regards to them)
Delete@KKR: Thanks. Easy grid of course, and not just for me. I didn't think I was particularly fast, speed has never been my forte - let's keep Ramki as an organiser 🤣
Ha ha!
DeletePerhaps, the TN open puzzle should be published as a special for the folks here.
DeleteYeah.
Delete+2 to Ramki as Organiser.
Ya. Wonderful Summary. Thanx.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know u r a Sikh (?).
Would never have recognised you.
Here's waiting for a few of ur 100 Grids. On Sundays.
🙂
Though I keep my hair long, I am not a sikh. I'm the one in the red shirt.
Delete👍
ReplyDeleteSo we now know ur name!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Bhalachandra. Nice to see Ramki, Lakshmi and the handsome Ashirwad.
ReplyDeleteI participated in the TN puzzle and managed 15th position in the leader board. Great motivation for me as a newcomer / novice.
Wonderful work by the organisers of IXL as well as TN event.
Thanks sir !
DeleteNice summary for Economizer, esp.for those who missed both the events. Thank you.
ReplyDelete