No 13081, Saturday 31 Oct 2020, Incognito

ACROSS

8   Soldier one is not in favour of? (4) ANTI {ANT}{1}

9   One flower appeared (5) AROSE {A}{ROSE}

10 About United States’ responsibility... (4) ONUS {ON}{US}

11 Sprinting champion Edward ran fast (6) BOLTED {BOLT}{ED}

12 Soldiers’ limit changed on a railway (8) MILITARY {LIMIT*}{A}{RY}

13 Contented sound made by pig with light source attached to its tail (8) GRUNTLED {GRUNT}{LED}

15 Administrative area away from the skating rink (6) OFFICE {OFF ICE}

17 Spear papers dropped in river (7) TRIDENT {TR{ID}ENT}

19 Model retirement payment doesn’t start... results in stress (7) TENSION {T}{pENSION}

22 Gory corpse has little oedema initially (6) BLOODY {B{Li...e}{Oe...a}ODY}

24 Wandering cavers see endlessly deep crack (8) CREVASSE {CAVERS+SEe}*

26 Helmsman’s male lover follows commanding officer at ten (8) COXSWAIN {SWAIN}<=>{CO}{X}

28 Avoid mysterious abyss skirting beginning of prairie (6) BYPASS {BY{Pr...e}ASS*}

30 Only flatfish (4) SOLE [DD]

31 Tests former ace missing shots initially (5) EXAMS {EX}{Ace}{Mi...g}{Sh..s}

32 Hit — and run (4) DASH [DD]

DOWN

1   Nullify United Nations’ direct order, for starters (4) UNDO {UN}{Di...t}{Or..r}

2   Heard: “Told untruth about gun” (8) LISTENED {LI{STEN}ED}

3   Boy creeping up behind vehicle? He is a desecrater (6) VANDAL {VAN}{LAD<=}

4   Naval officer drops gold in toilet fitting (7) COMMODE COMMODorE

5   Congratulations! That’s how some people like their steak (4,4) WELL DONE [DD]

6   Somewhat like mangled torso next to start of funicular (4,2) SORT OF {TORSO}*{Fu...r}

7   Plaintiff’s ruse is silly (4) SUER*

14 Pastoral remembering unusual residences and lodges, for starters (5) RURAL Acrostic

16 Tsar jumps out of sports-car reversing into agricultural produce (5) CROPS {SPORts+Car}<=

18 Any confusion? Horribly easy, right, for pessimist? (8) NAYSAYER {ANY*}{EASY*}{R}

20 A politician is carried by steed running in mad rush (8) STAMPEDE {ST{A}{MP}EDE*}

21 Look! Young man is retreating! It’s a source of embarrassment! (7) SCANDAL {SCAN}{LAD<=}

23 Strange story about Eastern seafood (6) OYSTER {OYST{E}R*}

25 Setter returns with stud to make an impression (6) EMBOSS {ME<=}{BOSS}

27 For starters, old British orchestra has base instrument (4) OBOE {Old}{Br...h}{Or...a}{E}

29 South Africa’s hot belt (4) SASH {SA'S}{H}

Reference List

One = A, Railway = RY, Papers = ID, Model = T, Gold = OR, Right = R, Eastern = E, Base = E, Hot = H

Colour/Font Scheme

Definition, Solution, Component letters, Embedded links, Theme word,  Anagram Indicator, C/C indicator, Reversal Indicator, Hidden word Indicator, Letter Pick indicator, Deletion Indicator, Homophone Indicator, Movement Indicator, Positional Indicator, Substitution, Indicator, Opposite indicator, Link/Connector, Extraneous

No 13080, Friday 30 Oct 2020, Arden

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Thanks for the response, here's the regular blog.

ACROSS

1   Singer lacking note, goes off (3,4,4) NAT KING COLE*

7   Bird protected by her monkey (3) OWL hOWLer
9   Fit into an epic tussle (5) ICTUS [T]
10 Band will repair the damage (9) MEGADEATH* The band doesn't have A in DEATH
11 Went over, have to make it smaller (5,4) SCALE DOWN {SCALED}{OWN}
12 Regularly goes into battle, you bet (5) WAGER {WA{GoEs}R}
13 Managed to do work outside — it warns you of a gas leak (7) ODORANT {TO+DO}* over {RAN}
15 Christmas for Japanese drama student (4) NOEL {NOE}{L} The Japanese drama is NOH?
18 Boast about habit (4) BRAG<=
20 Mindless pursuit for artist to follow (3,4) RAT RACE {RA}{TRACE}
23 Top accommodation by a lake for 19 (5) AERIE {A}{ERIE}
24 Nurtured and dyed outside America (9) SUSTAINED {S{US}TAINED}
26 City is flat and cold in the beginning (9) CLEVELAND {LEVEL}{AND}<=>{C}
27 Melancholy in the air (5) DIRGE [CD]
28 Can return the egg (3) NIT<=
29 Arrest enemy soldier in battle, the German will run away (4,1,6) TAKE A POWDER {TAKE}{A}{POW}{DER}

DOWN
1   Material found in corner, as in order... (8) NAINSOOK {N{AS+IN}*OOK}
2   ... not great shape (8) TETRAGON*
3   Paper without heading is a problem (5) ISSUE tISSUE
4   A dish to be promoted as Wellington, perhaps (7) GUMBOOT {GUMBO}{TO<=}

5   Set one’s heart, say, on a material (7) ORGANON {ORGAN{ON} Material? Seems to be an editing error by Arden, it appears the original word must have been ORGANZA
6   Women tend to develop talent (9) ENDOWMENT*
7   Nothing called the ultimate fruit (6) ORANGE {0}{RANG}{thE}
8   Stories about a hard place in our neighbourhood (6) LAHORE {L{A}{H}ORE}
14 A wave involving people for the accord (9) AGREEMENT {A}{GREE{MEN}T}
16 Collected fish, need to pick up recipe (8) GARNERED {GAR}{NE{R}ED}
17 Bowler — fellow maybe a grade lower (8) HEADGEAR {HE}{A+GRADE}*
19 My god! A programming language for a hunter in the sky! (7) GOSHAWK {GOSH}{AWK}

20 After short stay next to central square, they’re left behind (7) RESIDUA {RESIDe}{sqUAre}
21 Reiterating one’s ability to perform dance (6) CANCAN {CAN}{CAN}

22 Taken separately — it could be passionate (6) ARDENT (i){ARDEN}{T}
25 Sound only under the car (5) AUDIO {O}<=>{AUDI}

Reference List

Student = L, Artist = RA, Cold = C, Hard = H, Recipe = R, Only = O

No 13079, Thursday 29 Oct 2020, Arden

Solution to 4D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

ACROSS

6   Toll for the man in church (5) CHIME {C{HIM}E}
7   Run, some are crushed like a bunch of grapes (8) RACEMOSE {RACE}{SOME*}
10 Puzzles females wearing cotton, perhaps... (7) BAFFLES {BA{FF}LES}
11 ... if they stimulate one of them (7) WHETHER [C&DD]
12 Becomes clear, American city follows crime (7) LARCENY {CLEAR*}{NY}
13 Old official carrying note — it’s all gas (7) METHANE {THANE}<=>{ME}
14 Absolving old sailor — one is involved (11) EXONERATING {EX}{ONE}{RATING}
19 Sack from the French city of yore (7) DESTROY {DES}{TROY}
21 East of Berlin moneybags can’t fly (7) OSTRICH {OST}{RICH}

23 After revolution liberators lost IRA support (7) BOLSTER {LiBEraTORS}*
25 Alfilaria — every other issue is an affair (7) LIAISON {aLfIlArIa}{SON}
26 Fight over land, one’s taken away mineral (8) FELDSPAR {SPAR}<=>{FiELD}
27 Child is sick, gets cold (5) CHILL {CH}{ILL}

DOWN
1   Service pneumatic drive (3,5) AIR FORCE {AIR}{FORCE}
2   Enemy takes measure of the rim (6) FELLOE {F{ELL}OE}
3   Minister’s house damaged by trees in question (10) PRESBYTERY {PR{BY+TREES}*Y}
4   Boat is slower, taken separately (4) ?C?W (Addendum - SCOW {S(lower = cow)COW} - See commnts)
5   In a detailed manner ask the man his complaint (6) ASTHMA {ASk}{THe}{MAn}
6   Metal business by Latvian (6) COBALT {CO}{B}{A}{LT} Not sure of anno (Addendum - {CO}{BALT} - See comments)
8   Current carrying master switch for conductors (7) MAESTRI {I}<=>{MASTER}*
9   Move slowly — after first count another count comes up (5) CREEP {Co..t}{PEER<=}
13 Make a world fit for a flyer (6,4) MEADOW LARK*

15 Sorted out internal energy and unit of magnetic field strength (7) OERSTED {SORTED}* over {E}
16 Appreciates help — that’s denied (8) GAINSAID {GAINS}{AID}
17 Bother to live in a mud hut (5) ADOBE {ADO}{BE}
18 Cut up having woman cleaner (6) PHENOL {P{HEN}OL<=}
20 Fix everything in a helmet (6) SALLET {S{ALL}ET}

22 Stupor in Goa, perhaps (6) TRANCE  [DD]
24 Riveted to music tempo (4) RAPT {RAP}{T}

Reference List

Church = CE, Female = F, Note = ME, From in French = DES, East in German = OST, Child = CH, Measure = ELL, Current = I, Energy = E, Tempo = T

No 13078, Wednesday 28 Oct 2020, Arden

Solution to 21D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

ACROSS

1   One is in the dock — fish right in the bottommost part of the ocean (7,6) MARIANA TRENCH {MARI{A}NA}{T{R}ENCH}

10 Livelong for a Gold brooch (5) ORPIN {OR}{PIN}

11 Past revealed, sure to know the truth (9) ASCERTAIN {pASt}{CERTAIN}

12 Free internet — invite adults, keep them amused (9) ENTERTAIN {ENTERT{A}IN*}

13 Bird lime — I’m going for ownership (5) TITLE {TIT}{LimE}

14 Spare cup’s outside, needs a wash (7) CLEANUP {C{LEAN}UP}

16 Suceptible to fall for a trick (7) CANTRIP {CAN}{TRIP}

18 In a month we go for workers’ supplement (7) AUGMENT AUG(-us+men)MENT

20 Stand and basically pick the bird (7) LECTERN {eLECt}{TERN}

22 An awful narrative — needs some nerve (5) ULNAR [T]

24 Eccentric, strange — carrying fixed amount (3,6) ODD MAN OUT {ODD}{AMOUNT*} Shouldn't the Enu should be (3,3,3)

26 Cut local tree for poles, they say (9) ELECTORAL (~polls)

27 Admission could be sans any expression (5) IDIOM aDMIssIOn* [CA]

28 Arrange help, infant has not repeated earlier success (5,2,3,3) FLASH IN THE PAN*

DOWN

2   Even curtseyed before a dignitary — one’s lost a member (7) AMPUTEE {cUrTsEyEd}<=>{A}{MP}

3   Not knowing if it’s foreign or ancestral, could be in between (9) IGNORANCE [T]

4   Many a large animal found inside (5) NYALA [T]

5   New in fashion — wearing dark blue-green is practical (9) TECHNICAL {TE{CH{N}IC}AL}

6   Rues exposing the winger (5) EGRET rEGRETs

7   Hire daily, for a limited period (7) CHARTER {CHAR}{TERm}

8   Names are strange, seem nocturnal (13) NOMENCLATURES*

9   Way to open an account (4,4,1,4) ONCE UPON A TIME [CD]

15 Vessel empty, intermittent rain plays a medley (3,6) POT POURRI {POT}{POUR}{RaIn}

17 Fruit crate broken, without a number (9) NECTARINE {N{CRATE*}INE}

19 Polite of the General to rise in support of man (7) GENTEEL {LEE<=}<=>{GENT}

21 To oppose and stop growth of writings on sex (7) E?O?I?A (Addendum - EROTICA {ER{TO<=}ICA} - See comments)

23 Tries alternate rituals (5) RITES*

25 In front, climbing on foot in the Dutch city (5) DELFT {LED<=}{FT}

 Reference List

One = A, Right = R, Gold = OR, Adults = A, New = N, Foot = FT

No 13077, Tuesday 27 Oct 2020, Arden

Solution to 11A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

ACROSS

1   Muscle building with ties, could be bits and pieces (6) BICEPS {BItS+PiECes}* [CA]

4   At home within a say... (8) ASTATINE {A}{STAT{IN}E}

10 ... immobile, caught 4 with suspect action (9) CATATONIC  {C}{AT}{ACTION}*

11 OK, King will return with Queen (5) R?G?R (Addendum - ROGER {R}{GO<=}{ER} - See comments)

12 One picks hard pebble (7) SHINGLE {S{H}INGLE}

13 Eager to get some central finance upfront for material (7) NANKEEN {KEEN}<=>{fiNANce}

14 Part of London separates — to impact in some way (3,2) ACT ON  ACTON with ACT and ON separated

15 Bar language (8) LEGALESE [CD]

18 Alerting criminal, figure that! (8) TRIANGLE*

20 Cut one out — no irritation (5) NOTCH {NO}{iTCH}

23 Way one is packed in a container — keep away (7) ABSTAIN {A}{B{ST}{A}IN}

25 Switch without current, not enough to run (7) SCAMPER {SwitCh}{AMPERe}

26 Composer exposed, exaggerated in a way (5) VERDI oVERDId

27 Places to get better things like doughnuts, in the capital (9) SANATORIA {SANA{TORI}A}

28 Butter, again half of it goes on one fruit (8) RAMBUTAN {RAM}{BUTter}{AN}

29 I would enter the race this time of the week (6) FRIDAY {FR{I'D}AY}

DOWN

1   Support as friends come up to congratulate (8) BACKSLAP {BACK}{PALS<=}

2   Herb and Tom, they make money here (7) CATMINT {CAT}{MINT}

3   Headache ends — in short, Iraq is not even a desert (9) PATAGONIA {PATe}{AGONy}{IrAq}

5   Anticipating trouble — sing song and seduce (6-8) SECOND-GUESSING {SING+SONG+SEDUCE}* 

6   Gaps prone to reveal what's inside the pinafore (5) APRON {gAPs}{pRONe}

7   Entry for foreign singers (7) INGRESS*

8   Slip to accompany task (6) ERRAND {ERR}{AND}

9   In say 11, men admitted are highly learned people (14) INTELLEGENTSIA {IN}{TELL}{1{GENTS}1}{A}

16 House made crates to support network (9) LANCASTER  {CRATES*}<=>{LAN}

17 Cover up over damage by unknown drug dealer (8) PHARMACY {P{HARM}AC<=}{Y}

19 Ask for food and drink on stage (7) ROSTRUM (~roast){ROST}{RUM}

21 Harry, Bill and Peter became sharp (7) TAPERED {AD+PETER}* Partially indirect anagram

22 What the magpie left in the plate (6) SALVER {SA{L}VER}

24 So long as end is gold plated (5) ADIEU {A{DIE}U}

Reference List

King = R, Queen = ER, Caught = C, Hard = H, Are = A, Unknown = Y, Bill = AD, Left = L, Gold = AU

No 13076, Monday 26 Oct 2020, Gridman

 ACROSS

1   Set free anaemic pet after treatment (10) EMANCIPATE*

6   Sell fine record (4) FLOG {F}{LOG}

9   Father’s teary about primarily sad time gone by (4,5) PAST YEARS {PA'S}{TEARY*}{Sad}

10 Golf attendant leaves container (5) CADDY [DD]

11 A set not up to mantra in US city for rural economy (8) AGRONOMY {A}{GROup}{N{OM}Y}

12 Such a frame gives a still picture (6) FREEZE [CD]

14 She and I protract construction of area for players (9,3) ORCHESTRA PIT {SHE+I+PROTRACT}*

17 Not that it adds spice to the fare’s repeated travel (6,6) SEASON TICKET [DD]

20 Sudden rap, but goes awry (6) ABRUPT*

21 Son moved slowly and wrote hurriedly (8) SCRAWLED {S}{CRAWLED}

23 You, oldie, go in for an anteroom (5) FOYER {FO{YE}R}

24 Interrupting copper and model, causing irritation endlessly (7,2) CUTTING IN {CU}{T}{sTINGINg}

25 Dismiss English royal house (4) YORK [DD]

26 Makes real old American, showy, to leave nothing to Pole (10) INCARNATES {INCA}{oRNATE}{S}

DOWN

1   He makes good for every other luck deserting one who explains (8) EXPIATOR EXPlIcATOR

2   Remove a kind of painting (8) ABSTRACT [DD]

3   Dance, possessing desire and spirit, taking in almost new hot stuff (7,6) CAYENNE PEPPER {CA{YEN}{NEw}{PEP}PER}

4   It is realistic and wise to have this attitude (10) PRAGMATISM [CD]

5   Perform a money-spinner? (4) TOSS [CD]

7   Long summer aid to get high (6) LADDER {L}{ADDER}

8   Man heard to get water heater (6) GEYSER (~ gee sir) (Correction - (~geezer) - See comments)

10 Rectification tweaked by trading two letters — there’s documentary confirmation (13) CERTIFICATION (-r+c)CE(-c+r)RTIFICATION

13 Thanks to MP district’s small house’s Italian custard (10) PANNACOTTA {PANNA}{COTe}{TA}

15 Window in ceiling or what filters through it (8) SKYLIGHT [DD]

16 Boss on hospital department’s pupils (8) STUDENTS {STUD}{ENTS}

18 Good lady cleverly circumvents female troublemaker (6) GADFLY {G}{AD{F}LY*}

19 One giving money includes right appeal (6) PRAYER {P{R}AYER}

22 Independent British party symbol (4) ICON {I}{CON}

Reference List

Fine = F, Son = S, Model = T, Pole = S, Long = L, Thanks = TA, Good = G, Female = F, Right = R, Independent = I

Special, THC No 6632, 03 Jan 2000

Thanks to Pradeep Raghunathan, I am posting the THC of 03 Jan 2000, he gave me the Across Lite file for the same. I think those were the days when the setters name was not given in the byline. So let us see who can identify the setter. after all the answers come in.

Three answers per commenter till 6 PM (Annotations compulsory)
Please submit all your answers in one comment. 

(COMMENTS ENTERED WITH LESS THAN THREE ANSWERS/ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELTED WITHOUT NOTICE, UNLESS THE COMMENTER SPECIFIES THAT IT IS A COMPENSATION FOR A REPEAT)

ACROSS

1   Heaven is in a ceremonial march (8)

5   Horrified by a ghostle head, has temperature (6)

10 Public speech has to avoid extremes and show proportion (5)

11 He sold ale to get rented property (9)

12 Venerable old lady, one blending with charm and art (9)

13 African province at birth (5)

14 Paying your part of the bill? What a treat! (5)

16 Subversive brutes - a ring busted (8)

18 Suddenly attacked, exhausted after morning (8)

20 Cut into cubes, passed away holding key (5)

24 Sweet girl that is after a share (5)

25 European community split in allowances for responses (9)

27 Breaking an idle set, they show the time and place on top of newspaper stories (9)

28 Relative returning from Greece in triumph (5)

29 Get off from the ship like a bachelor in a state of ignorance (6)

30 Abated after last month but expired (8)

DOWN

1   Soft, dim ray deflected by huge construction (7)

2   Deserter at a time sounds like knocing on the door (7)

3   Burning in the environs of Delhi? This is the garment for you (5)

4   Alas, Roy is heartless about remuneration (6)

6   Forest of immature trees? (9)

7   Evangelist could stop ale flowing (7)

8   Child unsteady on his feet (7)

9   Stupid chap with a stout nut? (7)

15 In the rolls 'e is cast as a resident in the campus (9)

17 Give the girl a call for fish (7)

18 Agreed to a measure supported by two pressmen (7)

19 Container for ablution (7)

21 Summertime equipment for prisons (7)

22 Go down in a bad scene in extremes of dread (7)

23 For a lass he generates a lot of trouble (6)

26 Impart a slight trace of elemnt, germanium in short (5)

THC 6632

By THC

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Down

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Across

1	Heaven is in a ceremonial march (8)
5	Horrified by a ghostle head, has temperature (6)
10	Public speech has to avoid extremes and show proportion (5)
11	He sold ale to get rented property (9)
12	Venerable old lady, one blending with charm and art (9)
13	African province at birth (5)
14	Paying your part of the bill? What a treat! (5)
16	Subversive brutes - a ring busted (8)
18	Suddenly attacked, exhausted after morning (8)
20	Cut into cubes, passed away holding key (5)
24	Sweet girl that is after a share (5)
25	European community split in allowances for responses (9)
27	Breaking an idle set, they show the time and place on top of newspaper stories (9)
28	Relative returning from Greece in triumph (5)
29	Get off from the ship like a bachelor in a state of ignorance (6)
30	Abated after last month but expired (8)

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Down

1	Soft, dim ray deflected by huge construction (7)
2	Deserter at a time sounds like knocing on the door (7)
3	Burning in the environs of Delhi? This is the garment for you (5)
4	Alas, Roy is heartless about remuneration (6)
6	Forest of immature trees? (9)
7	Evangelist could stop ale flowing (7)
8	Child unsteady on his feet (7)
9	Stupid chap with a stout nut? (7)
15	In the rolls 'e is cast as a resident in the campus (9)
17	Give the girl a call for fish (7)
18	Agreed to a measure supported by two pressmen (7)
19	Container for ablution (7)
21	Summertime equipment for prisons (7)
22	Go down in a bad scene in extremes of dread (7)
23	For a lass he generates a lot of trouble (6)
26	Impart a slight trace of elemnt, germanium in short (5)

Enjoy.

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday #8, Sunday 25 Oct 2020, Gridman

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday can be accessed at the link given below. The interactive version at the link is free you just need to sign in using an email ID and password, no subscription is required.

The crossword is not being blogged as the annotations are provided in the interactive version itself which can be seen if you click on 'Show a hint' under the 'reveal' tab on the top.

The same will be posted on every Sunday at 6 AM.

Link to the Crossword

Enjoy.

The Sunday Crossword No 3122, Sunday 25 Oct 2020

ACROSS
1   Everyman in area set up for renovation with toolbox item (4,7) TAPE MEASURE {ME} in {AREA+SET+UP}*
9   Chicken, headless bird reflected, finally complex psychedelic figure (7) HENDRIX {HEN}{bIRD<=}{c...eX}

10 Silver fork's prongs grabbed hearty stews (7) TAGINES {T{AG}INES}

11 Remove tip from inflammation for wedding, perhaps (5) UNION bUNION
12 Timeless, fat, ultimately fictional man! (8) FALSTAFF {FAt}{f...aL}{STAFF} &lit

14 Applause given to guitar style considered best (4-6) HAND-PICKED {HAND}{PICKED}
15 Person at computer rejected just over 57% of résumés (4) USER RESUmes<=
17 Clever pig (term of endearment) (4) BABE [DD]
19 Brownish water glass not holding litre (5,5) BURNT UMBER {BURN}{TUMBlER} Water/Burn?
21 Disraeli, noted Israelite (8) BENJAMIN [GK]
23 Reportedly, bashful bear that's hunted for fur (5) COYPU {COY}{PU} Bear=Put Up

25 The French newspaper is essentially ultra Marxian (7) LEFTIST {LE}{FT}{IS}{ulTra}
26 Area of skin peeled, removing outer layers – using this? (7) SCALPEL {SCALP}{peELed} &lit
27 Chandler put out by big surprise (11) THUNDERCLAP*

DOWN
1   Etonians managed without a worry (7) TENSION {ETONIaNS}*
2   Noisily, dad cuts veg (8) PARSNIPS (~ pa snips)

3   9am to rise and dress (4) MAXI<=
4   Again, get in dubious cosmetic terminology (4-6) ANTI-AGEING*
5   Clockwork Orange author's innermost desires (5) URGES bURGESs
6   Primarily, entities numbering nine envisaged as discrete sets? (7) ENNEADS Acrostic &lit
7   But ... but misprinted Bible hasn't one representation of idea (7,6) THOUGHT BUBBLE {THOUGH}{BUT*}{BiBLE}

8   Invite disaster when raft's rulebook thrown out (3,3,7) ASK FOR TROUBLE*
13 Friendly and well served with charming interior (10) ACQUAINTED {AC{QUAINT}ED}
16 Night out: wrap up with club (3-5) PUB-CRAWL {WRAP+CLUB}*
18 Geordie wearing suit for charity performance (7) BENEFIT {BE{NE}FIT}
20 Oddly blue with pay rise and happy to get swindled (3,1,3) BUY A PUP {BlUe}{PAY<=}{UP}
22 A little roadie unloads, getting cheers (5) ADIEU [T]
24 Ras Tafari, somewhat elevated emperor (4) TSAR [T<=]

Reference List
Litre = L

No 13075, Saturday 24 Oct 2020, Gridman

ACROSS
5   Almost hoping old learner’s in large eastern force (6) OBLIGE {O}{B{L}IG}E}Fragment of a previous version of 3d perhaps got added to this clue?
7   Alternative: let C and S exchange wealth (8) RESOURCE {RE(-c+S)OUR(-s+C)E}
9   Spoil Scottish sweetheart with butter and herb (8) MARJORAM {MAR}{JO}RAM}
10 No raid or surprise bit of advancement (6) INROAD {NO+RAID*}
11 Crossword answers in top half of the grid? Not exactly (8,6) NORTHERN LIGHTS (CD)
12 Box containing Irish water with staff’s large cold meal (10,5) PLOUGHMAN'S LUNCH {P{LOUGH}{MAN}{S}UNCH} (Correction - {P{LOUGH}{MAN}{S}{L}UNCH} - See comments)

16 Pretty charters drafted for group of ambulance staff (9,5) STRETCHER PARTY {PRETTY+CHARTERS*}
20 Company’s right group stays (6) CORSET {CO}{R}{SET}
21 Pleasing piece of fiction about Blake novel (8) LIKEABLE {LI{BLAKE*}E}
22 Footloose Mark about to commit wrong with one female. Great! (8) TERRIFIC {T{ERR}{I}{F}ICk}
23 Favourite’s rejected exercise; it’s plain (6) STEPPE {PET'S<=}{PE}

DOWN
1   I just went in circles around Fuji — found no female in martial art (8) JIUJITSU {I+JUST*} around {fUJI}

2   Weapon dropped in river — good grief! (4,2) DEAR ME {DE{AR M}E}
3   Hoping girl will go out to get special pain-relievers (8) ASPIRINS {ASPIRINg}{S}
4   MP avoids ‘Harrumph’; turns it into cry of joy (6) HURRAH {HARRUmpH*}
6   Starters of biriyani, roti and vadam. Oh, well done (5) BRAVO (Acrostic)
7   Moral and oath C-in-C provided for a type of religion (5,8) ROMAN CATHOLIC {MORAL+OATH+CINC*}
8   Outstanding insect abandons one girl and accepts another (7) CLASSIC {C(-?+LASS)IC} (Addendum - {CICada} over LASS - See comments)
13 Graceful girl is so meaningful at heart (7) LISSOME (T)
14 Warm to winner, setter and dandy (3,2,3) HIT IT OFF {HIT}{I}{T OFF}
15 Caught thus, you’re taken by surprise (8) UNAWARES (E)
17 Again classify holiday home (6) RESORT {RE-SORT}
18 Spots child, short in stature, going in dashing (6) RAKISH {RA{KId}SH}
19 Tolerate the Italian inside raising plant (5) TULIP {PUT<=} around {IL<=} Tolerate= Put up

 

Reference List

Old=O, Learner=L, Eastern=E, Scottish sweetheart=Jo, Large=L, Butter=Ram, Company=Co, Right=R, One=I, Female=F, Exercise=PE, River=Dee, Girl=G, Special=S, Setter=I. The Italian=Il      

Colour/Font Scheme

Definition, Solution, Component letters, Embedded links, Theme word,  Anagram Indicator, C/C indicator, Reversal Indicator, Hidden word Indicator, Letter Pick indicator, Deletion Indicator, Homophone Indicator, Movement Indicator, Positional Indicator, Substitution, Indicator, Opposite indicator, Link/Connector, Extraneous

 

No 13074, Friday 23 Oct 2020, Gridman

 RULES FOR POSTING COMMENTS ON FRIDAYS ONLY

All those who are not regular commenters but who are rookie commenters or silent followers of the blog are requested to post answers with annotations in the comments section. In your own interest please avoid looking up the answers from the interactive version. Don't hesitate to post your annotations, in case you make a mistake in the annotation someone will correct it with the right annotation.

PLEASE NOTE, SOLUTIONS WITHOUT ATTEMPTING THE ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED

Each commenter is requested to post only 5 answers thereby giving others also a chance to participate. Please provide all your answers in one comment.

Regular solvers/Veterans can post 1 answer each, but after 11 AM only

The regular blog will replace the clues at 4 PM.

Thanks for the response, here's the regular blog.

ACROSS

1   Such a story remains secret (6) UNTOLD [CD]

4   Troublesome maths — a problem that leaves one breathless (6) ASTHMA*

9   Account given by setter reaches pinnacle (4) ACME {AC}{ME}

10 Try-out VII’s turning out to show artistry (10) VIRTUOSITY*

11 Communicate one man’s role (6) IMPART {1}{M}{PART}

12 Total loss — author doesn’t finish, gentleman doesn’t begin (5-3) WRITE-OFF {WRITEr}{tOFF}

13 It’s the sign of a celebrity (9) AUTOGRAPH [CD]

15 Put down cellist’s first record (4) DISC {DIS}{Ce...t}

17 Among a small number there’s an engineer, one leading a high life (4) IBEX {I{BE}X}

18 Sacking for girl’s prayer book (9) DISMISSAL {DI'S}{MISSAL}

20 Conrad is terribly caustic (8) SARDONIC*

21 Nothing good in remote haunt (6) NAUGHT {NAU{G}HT*}

23 Involving two sides of broken aspirin tab (10) BIPARTISAN*

24 Shell out about fifty for game (4) PLAY {P{L}AY}

25 Dispatched refined heads off to solicit (6) ENTICE {sENT}{nICE}

26 Worry about the queen’s hunt (6) FERRET {F{ER}RET}

DOWN

1   You can’t get a word out of such a person (15) UNCOMMUNICATIVE [CD]

2   A word of thanks with article and letter (5) THETA {THE}{TA}

3   Burning issue with news leaving small rest room (8) LAVATORY {LAVA}{sTORY}

5   Senseless boss entertains swine no end (6) STUPID {STU{PIg}D}

6   Cry “Thesis produces wild laughter” (9) HYSTERICS*

7   Yet its ticks will be real and effective (10,5) ARTIFICIAL HEART [CD]

8  Peak costs stifle new and primarily stingy person likely to succeed (5,8) CROWN PRINCESS {CROWN}{PRI{N}CES}{St...y}

14 Bank facility that’s to one’s discredit? (9) OVERDRAFT [CD]

16 Rise attributable to cardinal (8) EMINENCE [C&DD]

19 Can tie be established so it’s maternally related? (6) ENATIC*

22 The hand that gives one the edge (5) UPPER [CD]

Reference List

Account = AC, Man = M, Girl = DI, Good = G, Fifty = L, Queen = ER, Small = S, New = N 

No 13073, Thursday 22 Oct 2020, Karaoke

Solution to 2D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

ACROSS

1   A journey interrupted by massive heart attack (6) ASSAIL {A}{S{masSive}AIL}

5   Squander money and support salmon (8) BLUEBACK {BLUE}{BACK} Squander money/Blue? See comments and the link now give over 'Squander money'

9   Words of opposition from Roman General’s manuscript (8) ANTONYMS {ANTONY}{MS}

10 Money including pence changed on Mahatma Gandhi Road, say (6) EPONYM {E{P}ONYM*}

11 Vocalist’s numbers lock (10) SONGSTRESS {SONGS}{TRESS}

12 The second half of the episode has negative effect (4) DENT inciDENT

13 The thing around write-up is unprofessional (5) INEPT {I{PEN<=}T}

14 50% fake goes into plant probably (6) LIKELY {LI{faKE}LY}

17 Stunning weapons for wool workers lacking initial enthusiasm (6) TASERS TeASERS

19 Gulf crazy? I hear it is elementary (5) BASIC (~bay sick)

22 Material thought (4) FELT [DD]

24 Bent of mind of disturbed person in shame (10) PROPENSITY {P{PERSON*}ITY}

25 Helots ill-treated in this place for homeless (6) HOSTEL*

26 Adoration is absent in Solidarity movement (8) IDOLATRY sOLiDARITY*

27 Liberated Messiah with power and prominence (8) EMPHASIS {MESSIAH+P}*

28 Striking red giant gets independence (6) TITIAN {TIT{I}AN}

DOWN

2   It detects blue-pencil reportedly (6) SENSOR (Addendum - (~ censor) - See comments)

3   It’s parallel to a dream team (9) ALONGSIDE {A}{LONG}{SIDE}

4   Baby gear still in the last minute (7) LAYETTE {LA{YET}TE}

5   Most crowded public transports convey current traffic initially (7) BUSIEST {BUS{I}ES}{Tr...c}

6   Stein moulded in extremely useful vessel (7) UTENSIL {Use{STEIN*}fuL}

7   Mull over vital fluid changing sides (5) BROOD B(-l+r)ROOD

8   Admit defeat to member of family after whimper (3,5) CRY UNCLE {UNCLE}<=>{CRY}

15 Trigger to shoot good man near craft (4-5) KICK-START {KICK}{ST}{ART}

16 Monkey in pair vacated room for parasitic creature (8) TAPEWORM {T{APE}WO}{RooM}

18 Makes more flexible by dropping original investment in rations (7) SUPPLES SUPPLiES

19 Unruly mob competes with inferior quality flicks (1-6) B-MOVIES {MOB}*{VIES}

20 Hostage chopped up nanny (3-4) SHE-GOAT*

21 Bones cycling behind (6) STERNA (-a)STERN(+a)A

23 What in time saves nine doesn’t begin for a small person (5) TITCH sTITCH

Reference List

Manuscript = MS, Pence = P, Power = P, Independence = I, Current = I