No 13788, Tuesday 14 Feb 2023, KrisKross

Rangoli by Gowri

Solution to 8D 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   Supporting married partner in a traditional manner (8) FORMALLY {FOR}{M}{ALLY}

5   Helps to catch very old ducks (6) AVOIDS {A{V}{O}IDS}

9   Magician's finale, with pigeons flying all around, entrances (8) OPENINGS {m...aN} in {PIGEONS}*

10 Machine design by engineer having no substance (6) PLANER {PLAN}{En...eR}

12 Principal and others welcoming the French folks (9) ELEMENTAL {ET AL} over {LE}{MEN}

13 Unacceptable, however you look at it (3,2) NOTON <=>

14 Beloved date eagerly anticipates romantic overtures (4) DEAR Acrostic Semi&lit

16 When speaking, the universe spun (7) WHIRLED (~world)

19 Lover unhappily married (7) ADMIRER*

21 Champ first cuts with axe (4) CHEW {Cuts}{HEW}

24 Soldiers in rebellion left, capturing nothing (5) TROOP {PO{0}RT<=}

25 Be quiet and sleep, having complaint that is most acute (9) SHRILLEST {SH}{R{ILLE}ST}

27 Sweet child of Charlie and Rosemary, possibly hugging you (6) CHERUB  {C}{HER{(~you)U}B}

28 Terrible place to take a break - one boring day wasted (8) DYSTOPIA {STOP}{1} ibn {DAY}*

29 I, for one, second replacing amateur with veteran, essentially (6) LETTER L(-a+e}ETTER

30 Plain ugly novel - not grand hit (8) UNLOVELY {UgLY+NOVEL}*

DOWN

1   Daisy perhaps fought or flew (6) FLOWER*

2   Smoker may use this jacket (6) REEFER [C&DD]

3   Nimble goalie falls, missing ball (5) AGILE GoALIE*

4   Less serious match (7) LIGHTER [DD]

6   Lover's gift fast grabbed by arrogant sweetheart (9) VALENTINE {VA{LENT}IN}{swEet}

7   Openers at Lord's added ninety, playing naturally (8) INNATELY {At+Lords+NINETY}*

8   Strain for pressing a suit? (8) S?R?N?D? (Addendum - SERENADE [CD] - See comments) 

11 Brake makes a deep sound when cycling (4) SLOW (+s)SLOW(-s)

15 Partner regularly used magical charm (9) ENRAPTURE {PARTNER+UsEd}*

17 A lunatic at sea, sailing (8) NAUTICAL*

18 It describes male fashions that could be obscene (8) IMMODEST {I{M}{MODES}T}

20 Wine from Champagne, so refreshingly uplifting (4) ROSE [T<=]

21 Keep that old vehicle right in front (5,2) CARRY ON {YON}<=>{CAR}{R}

22 Worried? Let me start to pray here (6) TEMPLE {LET+ME+Pray}* Semi&lit

23 Doctor dates ultimately pretty girlfriend (6) STEADY {DATES+p...tY}*

26 Fire in block consuming bar (3,2) LET GO {LE{T}GO}

Reference List

Married = M, Very = V, Old = O, The in French = LE, Be quiet = SH, Charlie = C, Amateur = A, Grand = G, Male = M, That(old) = YON, Block = LEGO, Bar = T