Solution to 10D 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 Woman dumped a dude, bellowing about deceit (6-7) DOUBLE-DEALING {A+DUDE+BELLOwING}*
8 Graduate holding rose in Dutch city (5) BREDA {B{RED}A}
9 Dinner table items of ornamental fabric in fashion all round (5,4) PLACE MATS {P{LACE}MATS<=}
12 Powder in metal container (4) TALC [T]
14 What one training excessively for marathon might do in swamp (7) OVERRUN {OVER RUN}
16 A mysterious gap, one relating to furthest point in orbit (7) APOGEAN {A}{GAP+ONE}*
19 Extraordinary genius acquires new following (7) ENSUING {ENSUI{N}G*}
21 Bowler perhaps starting to express resentment (4) HATE {HAT}{E}
22 Troublesome purist rambling in club (10) DISRUPTIVE {D{PURIST*}IVE}
25 Confined over blunder, one fellow's scared stiff (9) TERRIFIED {T{ERR}{1}{F}IED}
27 Cine star in set consumes dope, showing pigheadedness (13) INTRANSIGENCE {CINE+STAR+IN}* over {GEN}
DOWN
2 Manage severe spread after onset of Omicron (7) OVERSEE {SEVERE}*<=>{O}
3 Speculate without reserve when prices are falling (4,6) BEAR MARKET {B{EARMARK}ET}
4 Reviewed video about unknown person living abroad (5) EXPAT {E{X}PAT<=}
5 Knocking back drink, start to boisterously talk for minute (9) ELABORATE {ALE<=}{Bo...y}{ORATE}
6 Recline with female? Willingly (4) LIEF {LIE}{F}
7 Star about to shoot in match between Celtics and Lakers, say (3,4) NBA GAME {N{BAG}AME}
8 How Sehwag liked to reach any three-figure milestone undoubtedly (2,1,4,4) BY A LONG SHOT [C&DD]
10 Anticipate nervously, start to slowly snog and seduce (6-5) S?C?N?-G?E?S (Addendum - SECOND-GUESS {Sl...y+SNOG+SEDUCE}* - See comments)
13 Extraordinary opus has solitary musical instrument (10) SOUSAPHONE {OPUS+HAS}*{ONE}
18 Endlessly developing city in Venezuela (7) MATURIN MATURINg
20 Silly jerk after wedding vow embraces bride heartily (7) IDIOTIC {TIC}<=>{I DO} over {brIde}
24 Raised moulding around English coffin stand (4) BIER {BI{E}R<=}
Reference List
Woman = W, Graduate = BA, Rose RED, Grand = G, New = N, Club = DIVE, Fellow = F, Dope = GEN, Unknown = X, female = F, Detective = DI(Detective Inspector), Moulding = RIB, English = E
10D: Anticipate = SECOND GUESS. S from start to "slowly" and anagram (nervously) of "snog" and "seduce"
ReplyDelete👍good solve
ReplyDelete+1. I got it but could not parse.
ReplyDeleteA very well written clue. Confusingly clear!!
paddy sir......well confused. but hard to crack. Dr X always giving too challenging puzzles. getting relax at the end of the day.
DeleteIf we read it as-
ReplyDelete"Anticipate start to slowly nervously snog and seduce"
it becomes easier and less confusing.
Nervously is anagrind for the whole clue, I am second guessing ;)
DeleteSo the anagram fodder is (S + Snog + Seduce).
Written any other way will not maintain the smooth surface.
Very good second-guessing!
Delete20D typo in { IDOIOTIC}
ReplyDeleteThanks corrected
DeleteWhile the current trend shows past leaders reaching their APOGEAN state, the likes of me were TERRIFIED by the fifth. It was DISRUPTIVE, had to SECOND GUESS a lot and use some good ASSUMPTIONs. But do HATE myself for the IDIOTIC mistakes in rounds 1&2. Must be careful in the ENSUING rounds. Solve, take a break refresh (apply TALC or have some NUTRITION whatever) and then carefully OVERSEE before submission. Must think of some ELABORATE scheme (other than DOUBLE DEALING) to quickly crack clues like SOUSAPHONE, BIER.
ReplyDeleteAt present feel like an investor in the wrong end of a BEAR MARKET. Any remote chance of finishing with a decent rank seems possible only BY A LONG SHOT to OVERRUN those above. Else will be out of this NBA GAME. Maybe read authors like OATES and build vocabulary on words like LIEF by next year.
Great to see EXPATS from as far MATURIN to BREDA participate and shine. Long live the IXL and the excellent setters / organizers and let its reach and RADII extend.
Well written and very relevant!
DeleteNicely written and covered the event of IXL.. gr8!!!!
Delete+1
DeleteYet another superb grid from Dr X. Enjoyed solving the crisp and elegant clues.
ReplyDelete10d - (SECOND GUESS)*
ReplyDeleteS-slowly to start ; anag of (s(-lowly)+snog + seduce)*
Thank you Dr X. I got an opportunity to solve today's grid.