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Hugh/Robt @16&17, I entirely agree that the shape itself and the constraints of how it is to be created mean that the puzzle is an amazing construction. My earlier comments were certainly not a criticism, merely an observation. Being that I cannot even understand how setters go about constructing something like this I have nothing but admiration for Cranberry achieving the final grid.

I enjoyed this. Some tough clues but a clear endgame and clever construction. Many thanks, Cranberry.

Lovely crossword,amazing construction, and appropriate for the date!

But I don't see whether the first letter of 31 down should be shown as in the third or fourth of the emerging letters - both seem to need it.

luftmensch - I agree there's an ambiguity about the first cell of 31d. Perhaps the trick is not to draw a vertical line on either side of it but rather to let the 3rd and 4th letters merge into each other, as they do in the original. I was more bothered about how to reconcile drawing the neither horizontal nor vertical lines around or through the decidedly sqaure squares in the grid's north-east section.

Tough but fair, and a brilliant construction! I much prefer this type of puzzle where the theme, instructions, and “end” game appear gradually and feed back into each other. Last week’s was closer to all-or-nothing and rather gruelling!

Just to add my voice to the chorus of admiration and thanks to Cranberry. Thoroughly enjoyed both the gridfill and the endgame; great construction and very apt for the date.

Late to the puzzle, but have just passed a delightful three hours with it. Tough but eminently fair and, as some have noted, a stunning logistical effort. Many thanks to Cranberry👌