Solution to 12A 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 They keep spectators extremely busy, one is ready (6,2) STANDS BY {STANDS}{BusY}
5 Ease to cut through, daughter ran away (6) ELOPED {E{LOP}E}{D}
10 Hope he goes — question is, does he object? (7) OPPOSER {hOPe}{POSER}
11 Learn about second admission from hospital helper (7) ALMONER {AL{MO}NER*}
12 Way to check a game and mate (5) A?I?O (Addendum - AMIGO {A}{M1}{GO} - See comments))
13 Frank Sinatra protected a maiden, he was kind hearted (9) SAMARITAN {S{A}{M}ARITAN*}
14 For money links accept one of those with deep knowledge (12) PROFUNDITIES {PRO}{FUND}{1}{TIES}
18 Men only event essentially, and game finetuned to one’s advantage (5-7) STAGE-MANAGED {STAG}{evEnt}{AND+GAME}*
21 Nude characters without clothes (9) UNDRESSED {UN{DRESS}ED*} &lit
23 Vessel had port stay in between all this (5) AORTA {hAd+pORt+sTAy}
25 Separate taxi — perhaps is able to follow, See? (7) VATICAN VATI{CAN}Anno not clear (Addendum - {VAT}{I}{CAN} - See comments)
26 The oil used to make ancient stone tool (6) EOLITH*
DOWN
1 Tag line: “Poles have shifted goal” (6) SLOGAN {S}{GOAL*}{N}
3 Music and dance sure to follow dialogue (9) DISCOURSE {DISCO}{SURE*}
4 Forbids unorthodox movement of nomads (5,2,7) BIRDS OF PASSAGE {FORBIDS}* [RA] (Addendum - {FORBIDS*}{PASSAGE} - See comments)
6 Primate putting hands around a bird (5) LEMUR {L}{EMU}{R}
8 Hector sends boat in the night (8) DARKNESS {D{ARK}NESS*}
16 Can freely emerge outside with this act of making things available (8) ISSUANCE {ISSU{CAN*}E}
17 He was perhaps clad in a robe, initially (8) CARDINAL {CLAD+IN+Robe}*
19 Nothing clear about the voice (6) ORACLE {0}{CLEAR*}
20 One to stop or help get publicity... (6) BANNER [DD]
22 ... no publicity to divine rule (5) EDICT prEDICT
Reference List
Ease = E,E, Daughter = D, Way = M1, Game = GO, Second = MO, Maiden = M, Billions = B, Tax = VAT, Poles = N,S, Hands = L,R, Publicity = PR
25a) separate taxi - tax + i
ReplyDeleteTax = VAT
Able to do - CAN
Vatican = See
What's perhaps doing!
DeletePrasad, I used 'perhaps' to indicate VAT is a form of tax. Otherwise it could mean any
Deletetax.
Or even a vessel.
DeleteI liked this clue very much!
Delete4d) (forbids)* - birds of - unorthodox is anagram indicator
ReplyDeleteMovement = passage
Nomands = birds of passage
Well annotated
ReplyDelete+1
Delete+2 for both
Delete12 a
ReplyDeleteAmigo = Mate
Way = MI
A Game ÷ A go
A + mi + go
Sorry typo, pl read A game = a go
ReplyDeleteIA has incognito as setter
ReplyDelete27a comes first as movement indicator?
ReplyDeleteI read the clues as
call (c)lear
I think first indicates the first C.
ReplyDeleteO!! today's gin & tonic was a bit bitter. Nevertheless, enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteThis gin & tonic is not from Incognito as given in the interactive version,but from Arden!
ReplyDeletePaddy sir, this Gin and tonic will carry forward for many reasons.
Delete7Dn, anagrind is sporting? The role of 'you won't see' is wp for &lit?
ReplyDeleteYes, 'Sporting' is a valid anagrind according to Chambers Crossword dictionary
DeleteSporting declaration!!
DeleteBut I have seen! Pilots with ponytail.
DeleteThanks Paddy. I feared that Incognito has forsaken us beginners.
ReplyDeleteTalking of online interactive version, the REVEAL (letter/word) option is not available of late.
Any logical reason??
TH only knows! But Col. is happy we don't get and solution word without anno from 'Unknown's!
ReplyDeleteMe,as a paper solver is not worried. Let us leave it at that.
Probably Incognito also should be happy since his 'Image'is intact.
Typo. Read 'any solution word'.
ReplyDeleteFantastic crossword from Arden. Took time to solve. 25A Clue is my COD.
ReplyDeleteVery clever Xword 10Aand 25A
ReplyDeleteExcellent clueing. Thank you Arden.
ReplyDeleteThank you all.
DeleteNice grid from Arden. One doubt on 13a - is "frank" the anagrind? Wasn't sure how it works...
ReplyDeleteI too had the same doubt. But is he meaning FREE for FRANK?
DeleteOne of the meanings of 'frank' is 'free' in Chambers dict. I have seen it being used in some
ReplyDeleteof the crosswords in the Guardian. I don't have a ready reference. Will post it when I come
across one.
I referred 3 dic...wherein the deep meaning given as 'Characterized by directness in manner or speech' for the word FRANK.
DeleteThere was some discussion in No 11658, Thursday 24 Mar 2016, Arden
DeleteBut considering the origin: Frank is free (Passage and hence an open passage).
Today's puzzle was a very satisfying workout for the brain. Thank you, Arden.
ReplyDelete5A Eloped here,ease sounds as e's so you take two e's.Is it so?
ReplyDeleteCol. has given that in the Ref.list
ReplyDelete