No 14712, Monday 09 Feb 2026, Gussalufz

Solution to 29A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered by a non-regular/novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

Flying weapon, Eh?

ACROSS

1   Momentum in favour of church (5) FORCE {FOR}{CE}

4   Gen X reach out for someone with currency in many countries? (9) EXCHANGER*

9   Reportedly, they use their tongues in drinks (7) LIQUORS (~lickers)

10 Revolting double entendre ("IT's over with all unfulfilled!") about marriage (7) NUPTIAL {PUN<=}{IT<=}{ALl}

11 Voices in the heart of woods, near tall evergreens (6) OPINES {woOds}{PINES}

12 Carefree zebra shows how to chill again (8) REFREEZE [T]

14 Nearly bald hero (4) STAR STARk

15 Temperature in ice age pot readjusted for meat pastry (7,3) COTTAGE PIE {T} in {ICE+AGE+POT}*

18 Ms. X, not an evangelist? (10) MISSIONARY {MISS}{10}{NARY}

19 Conflicts happened to be connected with rupees (4) WARS {WA{R}S}

22 Be as composed, everyone, as a sandy shore (3,5) SEA BEACH {BE+AS}*{EACH}

24 European prime minister is back with anger and great power (6) EMPIRE {E}{PM<=}{IRE}

26 Increase in egg prices ends, union's leader arrested (7) UPSURGE {U{Pr..eS}RGE} over {Un..n}

27 Evacuate if given time after rail malfunctions (7) AIRLIFT {IF}{T}<=>{RAIL}*

28 Woman records family material (9) SHEEPSKIN {SHE}{EPS}{KIN}

29 Perhaps some mother's role in film? (5) L?Y?R (Addendum - LAYER DBE - See comments)

DOWN

1   Men and strong women engaged in greetings (no husband) (7) FELLOWS {F}{hELLO{W}S}

2   Resign, joining authentic startup, initially for payments (9) REQUITALS {RE{QUIT}AL}{St...p}

3   Brought out Tesla, perhaps in order to cover sexual inadequacy (6) EVOKED {EV}OKED Anno pending (Addendum - {EV}{OK}{ED} - See comments)

4   More followers of KKK, we're told? (4) ELSE {(~L's) from kLue kLux kLan}

5   Perform tricks, including juggling etc.? Fancy! (10) CONJECTURE {CONJ{ETC*}URE}

6   Current measurement in the morning, according to agency: 50% (8) AMPERAGE {AM}{PER}{AGEncy}

7   "He shows us the way regularly," Gauri added (5) GUIDE {GaUrI+aDdEd}

8   Excuse wrongdoing involving England? I'm not sure, upon reflection (7) RELIEVE {EV{E}IL}{ER}<=

13 Used conch irritatingly, essentially honking, as prelude to concert? (10) SOUNDCHECK {USED+CONCH}*{honKing}

16 Calmness pill voided stomach complaint (9) PLACIDITY {PilL}{ACIDITY}

17 Turn back cutting north, mate, if this building is not safe (8) FIRETRAP {PARTnER}{IF}<=

18 Mistakes from setter? Ultimately blames drinks (4-3) MESS-UPS {ME}{b...eS}{SUPS}

20 Top corner diner (7) SWEATER {SW}{EATER}

21 Shameless, somewhat regressive novel (a romance) (6) AMORAL [T<=]

23 One's life is empty—this might lead to a wedding? (5) AISLE {A}{IS}{LifE}

25 No way no ball, reviewed! This is tiring (4) YAWN {No}{WAY}<=

Reference List

Church = CE, Temperature = T, Rupees = R, European = E, Egg = URGE, Time = T, Rocords = EP's(Extended play's), Strong = F, Women = W, Husband = H, Tesla perhaps = EV(Electric Vehicle), England = E, Not sure = ER, North = N, Corner = SW(South West)

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 42, Afterdark

ACROSS

9   Master taster first had salt (7) ACETATE {ACE}{Ta...r}{ATE}

10 One never gets disturbed or upset (7) UNNERVE {UN}{NEVER}*

11 Old graduate with nurse essentially appears rude (7) OBSCENE {O}{Bsc}{EN}{appEars}

12 Forces hurt in revolt at the outskirts of Sialkot on Sunday (7) THRUSTS {HURT}*{Si...oT}{S}

13 Mistress becomes quiet reportedly after boundary (9) SIDEPIECE {(~peace)PIECE}<=>{SIDE}

15 Spine showed by police officer facing ex-President (5) SPIKE {SP}{IKE}

16 Drinks a little short mostly (7) BITTERS {BIT}{TERSe}

19 Weight's one gram? Hospital treatment starts later today (7) TONIGHT{TON}{1}{G}{H}{Tr...t}

20 Flood at resort on Tanjore outskirts (5) SPATE {SPA}{Ta...rE}

21 Precedents in cricket matches to keep cover (4,5) TEST CASES {TEST{CASE}S}

25 Uproar among the poorest mostly at introductions (4-3) LEAD-INS {LEA{DIN}St}

26 Say, loser's dismal, so Randolph hugged (4-3) ALSO-RAN [T]

28 Dish with a bit of rum and dates brought by attendant (7) STEWARD {STEW}{A}{Rum}{Da..s}

29 Award received by peer was part of an organ (7) EARLOBE {OBE}<=>{EARL}

DOWN

1   Dialect found from Tampa to Islamabad (6) PATOIS [T]

2   Skilled aides reviewed in turn (6) VERSED [T<=]

3   Local men essentially are naked (4) BARE {BAR}{mEn}

4   Rector always receives excellent respect (6) REVERE {R}{EVER}{E} E/Excellent?

5   Animal skin article's small, basically teeny to the greatest extent (8) FURTHEST {FUR}{THE}{S}{Teeny}

6   In tossing coins far one makes inaudible sound (10) INFRASONIC {IN}{COINS+FAR}*

7   Cadres singularly check plaster (8) DRESSING [T]

8   Again argue about animal getting estrogen replacement therapy (8) REASSERT {RE}{ASS}{ERT}

14 New rep claimed to study preparing for medicine (10) PREMEDICAL*

16 Herb is meeting Kelvin to get a legendary serpent (8) BASILISK {BASIL}{IS}{K}

17 Say, kettle on side, baker loses the lid (3,5) TEA MAKER {TEAM}{bAKER}

18 Cancel class as a core student eloped at first (3-5) SET-ASIDE {SET}{AS}{1}{stuDent{El...d}

22 Collector touring hospital with barber perhaps (6) SHAVER {S{H}AVER}

23 Address by exciting mentors; time flew (6) SERMON MENtORS*

24 Poem from web son downloaded first (6) SONNET {NET}<=>{SON}

27 Say, browse about sea sport (4) SURF [DD]

Reference List

One = UN, Old = O, Nurese = EN(Enrolled Nurse), Sunday = S, Gram = G, Hospital = H, Award = OBE, Rector = R, Small S, About = RE, Kelvin = K, Time = T