Three answers per commenter till 6 PM (Annotations compulsory)
Please submit all your answers in one comment. Requirement waived off for today, you may enter single answers.
(COMMENTS ENTERED WITHOUT ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELTED WITHOUT NOTICE, UNLESS THE COMMENTER SPECIFIES THAT IT IS A COMPENSATION FOR A REPEAT)
GRID & INSTRUCTIONS
Single and famous, each thematic member has topped an elite list. In terms of numbers, 5 such are featured here, but are unfortunately now divorced (some more than once) and have formed new associations. When coming together, two pairs meet having something in common. Identify them in the grid. Answer lengths are (4) - 3 cases, (5) - 1 case, (6) - 1 case.
The answer to the above instruction to be given out only after all the solutions are posted on the blog by various commenters.
ACROSS
1 Of late, protective gear breaking down gets undermined (6)
6 Delicate touch occasionally seen in reflection in say, saloons (6)
11 Sell-out merchants possibly rise running one-star stores (8)
12 Pitch in topless after king in a tangle (4)
13 Main vessel in harbour heading off in American advance (5)
14 Stone masonry has centrally spiralled grooves (6)
16 Difficulty with cop being out of line in God's name for Jew (6)
18 Raving about damage with money lost repeatedly (3-3)
20 Flip turning left when leaving Earth's gravitational force (4)
23 Crude holder used nails I suspect (3,4)
25 Pretentious kitsch with constant routine in entertainment (7)
29 Jabbers about getting fix (4)
31 Jenny's cheek brought about her depressing end (3-3)
34 Mouth of a pecker? (6)
36 Work with sallow skin from inside, turning rosy outside (6)
37 Disadvantaged person, possibly half-hearted slacker (5)
38 Compensation for letters getting torn (4)
39 Wealth created? No clue pet, unconcluded (8)
40 Fringe journalist's grand closing trap (6)
41 Prophet having crossed the briny, finally strolls (6)
DOWN
2 Noses inspired by Figaro mascots (6)
3 Dry spell when temperature's beginning to rise (5)
4 Circulating air apt for old Indian clothes basket (6)
5 Place where Dan may be given note to pick up coffee (4)
7 Offensive like sailor without uniform (7)
8 Pest in soil, more often wilder ground (7)
9 What a person shopping might have done absorbing gist of sales patter (5)
10 Perky son to get intrusively personal (4)
11 Weasel-like creatures turned traitor when covering back for safety (6)
15 Language breaking India's back? (4)
17 Indian soldiers sent up covering protected area (5)
19 Take in some macho customers in a group (5)
21 Splitting has ruined band (7)
22 Club rule put up to safeguard self and institution (7)
24 City's additional cases upset disheartened state (6)
26 Pretty keen to stifle a brat (4)
27 Many a champion returns to nought with zone at the top becoming hot (6)
28 A daughter's right in inheritance established, executing rule as necessary (6)
30 Carriage with diamonds presented (5)
32 River in spate regularly changing course (5)
33 Resistance in despair exhibited … (4)
35 … problem banks roughly trash (4)
No Across Lite version today. Those of you who have Crossword Compiler or some other software can create the Barred Grid for interactive solving.
I have tried (with Prasad's help) to create an interactive version of this Crossword using Viresh Ratnakar's Exolve software. A link to the same is given below. Please download the same and open with a web browser like Firefox or Chrome. Hope it works properly.
SINGLES MATCH
Enjoy.
GRID & INSTRUCTIONS
Single and famous, each thematic member has topped an elite list. In terms of numbers, 5 such are featured here, but are unfortunately now divorced (some more than once) and have formed new associations. When coming together, two pairs meet having something in common. Identify them in the grid. Answer lengths are (4) - 3 cases, (5) - 1 case, (6) - 1 case.
The answer to the above instruction to be given out only after all the solutions are posted on the blog by various commenters.
SINGLES MATCH
ACROSS
1 Of late, protective gear breaking down gets undermined (6)
6 Delicate touch occasionally seen in reflection in say, saloons (6)
11 Sell-out merchants possibly rise running one-star stores (8)
12 Pitch in topless after king in a tangle (4)
13 Main vessel in harbour heading off in American advance (5)
14 Stone masonry has centrally spiralled grooves (6)
16 Difficulty with cop being out of line in God's name for Jew (6)
18 Raving about damage with money lost repeatedly (3-3)
20 Flip turning left when leaving Earth's gravitational force (4)
23 Crude holder used nails I suspect (3,4)
25 Pretentious kitsch with constant routine in entertainment (7)
29 Jabbers about getting fix (4)
31 Jenny's cheek brought about her depressing end (3-3)
34 Mouth of a pecker? (6)
36 Work with sallow skin from inside, turning rosy outside (6)
37 Disadvantaged person, possibly half-hearted slacker (5)
38 Compensation for letters getting torn (4)
39 Wealth created? No clue pet, unconcluded (8)
40 Fringe journalist's grand closing trap (6)
41 Prophet having crossed the briny, finally strolls (6)
DOWN
2 Noses inspired by Figaro mascots (6)
3 Dry spell when temperature's beginning to rise (5)
4 Circulating air apt for old Indian clothes basket (6)
5 Place where Dan may be given note to pick up coffee (4)
7 Offensive like sailor without uniform (7)
8 Pest in soil, more often wilder ground (7)
9 What a person shopping might have done absorbing gist of sales patter (5)
10 Perky son to get intrusively personal (4)
11 Weasel-like creatures turned traitor when covering back for safety (6)
15 Language breaking India's back? (4)
17 Indian soldiers sent up covering protected area (5)
19 Take in some macho customers in a group (5)
21 Splitting has ruined band (7)
22 Club rule put up to safeguard self and institution (7)
24 City's additional cases upset disheartened state (6)
26 Pretty keen to stifle a brat (4)
27 Many a champion returns to nought with zone at the top becoming hot (6)
28 A daughter's right in inheritance established, executing rule as necessary (6)
30 Carriage with diamonds presented (5)
32 River in spate regularly changing course (5)
33 Resistance in despair exhibited … (4)
35 … problem banks roughly trash (4)
I have tried (with Prasad's help) to create an interactive version of this Crossword using Viresh Ratnakar's Exolve software. A link to the same is given below. Please download the same and open with a web browser like Firefox or Chrome. Hope it works properly.
SINGLES MATCH
Enjoy.
SOLUTION
The theme in the puzzle is select chartbuster songs (Singles) which have topped at least one of the popular charts, maybe several (and some have stayed for several weeks). Additionally, they have all achieved over 10 million copies either physically or as digital downloads and streaming. They are spread across more than one grid entry.
Single
|
Artist
|
Year
|
US/UK Chart
|
CLOSER
|
The
Chainsmokers
|
2016
|
1
|
HELLO
|
Adele
|
2015
|
1
|
YMCA
|
Village
People
|
1978
|
1
|
WORK
|
Rihanna
|
2016
|
1
|
STAY
|
Rihanna
|
2013
|
1
|
ONCE YOU CLICK THE LINK, it tries to open by default google docs (you will see only code).
ReplyDeleteplease click the download (down arrow mark) on that window, download and open seperateky WITH WEB BROWSE.
iTS A GOOGLE default problem.
Attempting only Two
ReplyDelete2D: AROMAS...T...fig(ARO MAS)cots
26D: TYKE...T..pret(TY KE)en
You can take your third as the rule of 3 answers in one comment has been waived for today
DeleteMy Third
Delete27D: HEROES...(-Z+H)eroes
2d AROMAS (T)
ReplyDelete7D AS SA(U)LT
39A OPULANCE (NO CLUE PE)*
41A MOSE(Y)S prohphet = moses Y from briny finally
ReplyDelete39ac OPULENCE (NO CLUE PET-T)*
ReplyDelete39A:OPULENCE {NO+CLUE+PE(-T)}*
ReplyDelete2D: AROMAS {T}
33D: WORE {WO{R}E}
10D NOSY <- T
ReplyDeleteThat was a substitute for a repeat
DeleteIncorrect
Delete19D and 35D are incorrect. You can correct the same but no compensation to be taken
ReplyDelete10D SPRY S+PRY
ReplyDelete14A ASHLAR anag of HAS+ (-spi)RAL(-led)
29A SPAY YAPS<--
Incorrect
ReplyDelete2d - FigARO MAScots ---AROMAS --->[T]
ReplyDelete17D - indian - I ; soldier - Men ....MIEN
33D - Resistance -R ; Wo(r)e
17D is incorrect
Delete25a SCHTICK
ReplyDeleteC in anag of KITSCH
It is a comic routineAnagc
34a KISSER
ReplyDeleteDD
mouth (that which kissess
one who pecks (at)
Hmmm.
Incorrect
ReplyDelete35d SCUM
ReplyDeleteC (circa, roughly) in SUM (problem)
Thanks. My quota of three is done.
wow..gr8 sir...I was struggling to get C....could not get the clue. Have a nice day.
DeleteGemini's ans was not there when I wrote. I am not taking another clue. As G has not given anno, you may perhaps delete his entries.
ReplyDelete40AC ED[GIN]G
ReplyDelete19DN HOCUS telescopic
21DN SHA*+RING
21d SHARING HAS* RING = band
ReplyDeleteDeleted as no annotation given
ReplyDelete21dn SAHRING (HAS*)(RING)
ReplyDeleteTypo : SHARING
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDid anyone access the Interactive version?
ReplyDeleteI did.
DeleteIt is working well. Thanks Col and Prasad!
38 a rent.dd
ReplyDelete30 d posed.carriage-pose+d.
36 a osiery.rosy*os(ie)ry.
38a RENT DD compensation for letters / torn
ReplyDelete18A RAH-RAH; raving; HARM reversed -M twice
ReplyDeleteYet to be solved
ReplyDeleteAcross - 1, 6, 11, 12, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 31, 37
Down - 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 15, 17, 22, 24, 27, 28, 32
Since so many are yet to be solved. Those who have already submitted three solutions can take two more
1A SAAPED; undermined; {SA{PPE}D}; PPE is of late protective gear
ReplyDelete
ReplyDelete23A OIL DRUM OLD around I + RUM
8D EELWORM anag of MORE + W(-i)L(-d)E(-r)
4D PITARA; {AIR ApT}* old indian clothes basket
ReplyDeleteI did it in the IA ver. using material given by VR and doing needed further little things.
ReplyDeleteMy Fourth,
ReplyDelete6A : CAR(ES)S... ES from (S-eE-n)
6A: CAR(ES)S..ES from (S-eE-N).. SE reversed
Delete12a - KELP?
ReplyDeleteK + HELP (-H)
K KING
DeleteHELP pitch in
15D HIND ( HINDI - I)
ReplyDelete17D NAIKS (Indian soldiers, SKIAN is a protective outer covering )
ReplyDeleteAnno incorrect
Delete3D PARCH; dry; spell-= PATCH subsitite T by Rise
ReplyDelete13A AORTA; main (blood) vessel; {America}{pORT}{Advance}
My Last,
ReplyDelete24D: MOROSE...MOR(OS)E...SO reversed in ROME*
Incorrect
DeleteSomeone had entered HEROES for 27D which is correct. i erroneously stated it as wrong.
ReplyDelete27D: HEROES...I had answered this at 12.35
Delete27 a H(-Z)eroes.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been too many trips (pls read new words) to google if the setter wasn't familiar. Since the setter is known simply went by wp. Thanks xChequer for the sunday special.
ReplyDeleteYou have not entered any answers? enter your 5 now
Delete24d MYSORE
ReplyDeleteAdditional = more
state is say; disheartened give ys; when upset it is sy
More goes over sy
Too many spinners!
Delete11a TRA I (TOR)S (I STAR)* over TOR (=rise, hill)
ReplyDelete16A ADO NAI(-l)
ReplyDelete31A {S{HE(-r)}, ASS
9d {s{L}ANG}
Take two more Suresh
Delete37a loser lo(-o)set
ReplyDelete11d Taryas. Rat<-(y) (as)
28 Esnecy. (Necessary -r -as)*
22d midiron (ID)(I) in Norm<-
32d Asine. (In s(-p) a (-t)e)*
32d typo Aisne.
Delete37a typo pls read looser.
11d would be TAYRAS
Delete11D is TAYRAS {RAT<=}{AS} over {-safetY}
DeleteOops. Too many typos. Sorry.
Delete22D MIDIRON [NORM< around Id for self and I for institution
ReplyDelete28D ESNECY (unknown word) Anagram of necessary after removal of r for rule and as
Super tough Sunday special....did i log in to Guardian blogspot?
ReplyDelete5D DOJO - place where martial arts practised and DAN(belt) may be given
ReplyDelete= DO(musical note)+ JO(e) (synonym of coffee )
Retrying anno for 17D
ReplyDeleteNAIKS {SKI{A}N} <- A(rea) protected within SKIN(covering)
Fantastic grid, very tough and challenging ! Thanks a lot xChequer👍
ReplyDeleteAnno only
ReplyDelete17 Indian soldiers - def
sent up - rev ind
covering - SKIN, so we get NIKS
protected - c/c ind
area - A
N(A)IKS <-
Argo anticipated me. Anyway, leaving my belated but detailed anno as it is.
ReplyDeleteLast one open to anyone 20A
ReplyDelete18a is still not done.
ReplyDeleteLooks to be Rah-Rah. Def. is Raving.
Not sure about 'money lost' part. Is it Rash-s=Rah
I think it is done. Money is lost from Hamr
DeleteMoney lost from HARM twice and rversed RAH-RAH {HARm}-{HARm}<=
Delete20a NOGS, which is the same as Flip apparently meaning eggnog
ReplyDeleteBalance anno anyone. I don't know
Gone -e (earth) <- G for gravity. Nogg:flip
Delete20A NOGG GON(-E) <-- + G
ReplyDeleteNow that all answers are in let's see who can answer the riddle in the prelude. Please mail your answers to me so that the others can keep trying. At 6 PM I will publish the names of those who have got the answer correctly and update the post with the solution
ReplyDeleteSend it to me at deepakgita@gmail.com
DeleteThanks to all for the participation and eventually cracking all the clues. Special thanks to Deepak for hosting and moderating, and to Viresh and Prasad for their help with the interactive version
ReplyDeleteBeing a barred grid, was not possible to totally eliminate unfamiliar words, but tried to ensure that most of them were clued as simple anagrams (and a higher number of anagrams than would be usual). That with the high density of checking letters made me feel that the puzzle wouldn't be that difficult to unscramble, but I am left with the impression that many still found it too tough. Anyway I hope you'll still try to unscramble the theme content now that the grid is fully populated. Look forward to seeing the honours list at 6pm
ReplyDeleteThanks a ton for the special Bhala. Today the special has kept everyone engaged for most of the day unlike other days when everything is done and dusted well befor lunchtime
ReplyDeleteAs of 6 PM, nobody seems to have cracked the instructions to get the Thematic entries related to the SINGLES MATCH
ReplyDeleteFew would have a finished grid.
ReplyDeleteEven those who went on to put in all the words may not have saved the file.
You could probably put sol grid within the post so people may peer at it and try and find the answers.
I will now wait till 9 PM as I am going to be busy between 7 PM and 9 PM with a virtual meeting
ReplyDeleteSolved grid uploaded
ReplyDeleteThanks, Col. Enjoy your virtual meeting.
ReplyDeleteAs of now only Dr Satyen has cracked the theme
ReplyDeleteOther than Dr Satyen nobody has managed to crack the theme. Shall update the post now with the answers
ReplyDeleteWoah!😀 Thanks for a thrilling crossword and theme Bhala. Really enjoyed the top-class clues by a truly gifted setter!
DeleteThanks for the challenging grid Bhala - felt good to crack your clues after a long time! I could complete the grid but did not get the theme.
ReplyDeleteSorry... I could not find the theme. For, after I saw the title, I thought, given my propensities and having read a news report quite recently that it's become a practice among 50-year-old men and women separated from their spouses to forge live-in relationships with no strings attached (whether these strings were in the man's pyjamas or the woman's). So I jumped merrily to the conclusion that the grid had names of men or women who had recently moved together into an establishment. Somewhere in the grid I saw the name of ARYA cropping up literally. I stopped for a moment. Was he single? Had he made a union recently? But not keeping myself abreast of who lives with who by reading the gossip columns in Tamil magazines, I was not sure. Then I noticed DON, SAM, LEN and maybe others too. But I didn't go further. Let the singles, matched, live happily, matchless in their zest for life.
ReplyDelete🤪😀😁😆
Delete