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Apparently, the order is that found in an earlier edition of the ODQ. I only have the current ed., so don't know what is required.

"All" either has to be 1st or 2nd, I think, because it modifies "hope" in the original Italian, not those who are entering.

This is (yet) another pre-ramble failure, in my view. The edition of ODQ is not specified, so the implication must surely be that it refers to the latest edition. Unfortunately, the latest edition gives the quote in 21 letters, whereas the perimeter (the' thematically appropriate position') contains 28 letters. The more familiar form of the quote is 28 letters and can be created from the 28 letters in the original grid. My opinion is that the intention is for 'all' to be the second word (and that is its position in the corresponding current ODQ version). However, the whole thing is so mis-specified that either order should be accepted - who is to say that one translation is better than another (particularly since, apparently, the translation has varied between different editions of the ODQ)?

....and my 6th edition sits on the fence - giving it in a rather wishy-washy 25 letters!!

I'm trying to tie up the loose ends but am puzzled by the need for the first 10a and by the purpose of the extra letter in the second 10a. I can make a decent case for the rest of the omitted letters but ain't sure of the point of them really.

I have a bit of a quibble with the differing degrees of difficulty of the grid fill and the final step, which took me ages to see, although that could just be me being dim - no false modesty intended!

If you have the correct understanding of what the omitted letters produce, then the two 10 answers behave in exactly the same way. To my mind some of the productions rather tenuously form what they are supposed to.

bobby - the whole of the 5 letter word is effectively unclued. There is an initial "F" dropped from the 6 letter word that forms the last letter of one of the "hopes".

Thanks for those (with a big doooh!)

I have ended up with "wish" clearly in my final grid - so it's not "all" gone?

I saw that too, trackerpup, but eventually dismissed it as a distraction. Thinking outside the box might help. I first looked at Barton Booth (incorrect), but at least I think I started in the right place. Some guy got slated on the other board for saying it ranked lowest of the 'difficult' puzzles this weekend (without doubt he is correct)...eternal recurrence of conflict.

Only received my copy today. I must say after all the bitterness engendered on both forums, this is the most appalling example of a supposedly top-rate cryptic puzzle I've ever come across. Not really worth sending in at all, might as well do without it in future. If a setter is not capable of formulating his instructions in a reasonably unambiguous fashion, then that minimum fairness is missing in the competition itself without the lack of fair play which has predominated since the year dot on AB that I was busy bemoaning together with many others. And then to win what we've already got! And NOT be invited to a fantastic dinner! Really, to borrow a phrase, Times Crossword Club, "GET A LIFE!!!"