ACROSS
1 Knockabout: A man without a land (8) PARAGUAY {RAP<=}{A}{GU{A}Y}
5 Blue clothing is cast off (6) DISOWN {D{IS}OWN}
9 Cheering a software firm controlling USA, surprisingly (8) APPLAUSE {APPL{USA*}E}
10 Cars wrecked near the outskirts of Pune, creating a mess (6) SCRAPE {CARS}*{P
12 Opening cold port (5) CLEFT {C}{LEFT}
13 Alert everyone about weapon — live and loaded, primarily (5,4) ALARM BELL {AL{ARM} {BE}L}{L
14 Light breakfast dish, including a bit of eggplant (6) BEACON {B{E
16 Escape from criminal so naive (7) EVASION*
19 Stiff test? (7) AUTOPSY [CD]
21 Smart doctor with pretty girl (6) MODISH {MO}{DISH}
23 Former girlfriend hung around, switching partners, becoming tired (9) EXHAUSTED {EX}{HAU(-n+s)STED}
25 Arrest tramp in cheap housing (5) PINCH [T]
26 Mostly cut through unimportant stuff (6) TRIVIA {TRI
27 Close a bar inside, before it's too late (8) INTIMATE {A}{T} in {IN TIME}
28 Badly singed pattern (6) DESIGN*
29 Travelling salesmen could become bald (8) MANELESS*
DOWN
1 Scientist's scheme hacked midway (6) PLANCK {PLAN}{
2 Designate is again here (9) REPRESENT {RE}{PRESENT}
3 Couple of soldiers reaching Titanic (5) GIANT {GI}{ANT}
4 Go without a black mark (7) ABSTAIN {A}{B}{STAIN}
6 Like a CEO, chap’s starting to despair after salary's reduced (2,7) IN COMMAND {INCOM
7 Egg-shaped/round container, close to stove (5) OVATE {O}{VAT}{
8 Wanting to catch freshman for ragging (8) NEEDLING {NEED{L}ING}
11 Healthy food court (4) DATE [DD]
15 Top scientist taking over (9) CAPTURING {CAP}{TURING}
17 Playing a tennis set, nearly becomes unconscious (9) INSENSATE*
18 Brilliant chess champion came in without hesitation (8) TALENTED {TAL}{ENT
20 It is about to chase the old monster (4) YETI {YE}{IT<=}
21 Mary's party ...tucked into heavenly food (7) MADONNA {MA{DO}NNA}
22 Milk product, not fully covered, essentially injurious to your health (6) CHEERS {CHEE{
24 Showers honours (5) HAILS [DD]
25 Ego breaks model’s self-confidence (5) POISE {PO{I}SE}
GRID
Simply brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI am in seventh heaven (are there more?) for having nearly completed (except Paraguay) without any reference.
Synonyms used beautifully- (eg) 12A,25D.
Even anagrams were superb- salesmen.
Thank you Ramki- you made my day.
Marvelous one! Loved solving it. My favourites.... PARAGUAY, DISOWN, ALARM BELL.
ReplyDeleteCOD being CHEERS.
Thanks KrisKross for making it my day!
Very good clues. Very neat surfaces. Thanks Ramki! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, surfaces were really most enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteJust simply enjoyable!Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteWonder what our Rufus over would have to say about today's Rufus puzzle, which had a few not-so-cryptic clues and an undefined clue. Other bloggers did not seem to mind too much.
ReplyDelete
Deletethat should read Rufus lover
I have my own doubts if he is really a Rufus lover.
DeleteI am not that big fan of Rufus...but it has become increasingly difficult to enjoy his puzzles
DeleteSuperb, smooth flowing and delicious:)
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteRamki: Full applause for 19 across ! so for 2 down . Thanks for a smooth crisp crosssie.
ReplyDeleteRamki, Thanks very much for the complete entertainment!
ReplyDeleteI have a grouse, Very few 'Likes' for such a lovely presentation.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteNot really Paddy..we regulars have vociferously given our likes to this beautiful puzzle
DeleteThe lack of comments may have been there as there was no contentious or doubtful clues..all were clued to perfection
DeleteThank you all!
ReplyDeleteVery nice crossword!
ReplyDelete