No 14259, Wednesday 21 Aug 2024, Dr. X

Solution to 26A 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.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Game of football across Europe (8) LACROSSE [T]

5   Team rejected, caught breaking rules (6) EDICTS {EDI{CT}S<=}

10 Bond chasing woman in picture, making love (7) SWEETIE {TIE}<=>{S{W}EE}

11 Famous writer spins a yarn, gets national award finally (3,4) AYN RAND {A+YARN*} over {N} then {a..rD}

12 Villain with parachute dropping down (5) ROGUE dROGUE

13 Mysterious death in book keeps one occupied (9) INHABITED {DEATH+IN+B}* over {1}

14 & 20 How one might play blind man's buff easily (4,4,4,6) WITH ONES EYES CLOSED [DD]

18 Reckless venture involving immorality on YMCA ground (5-3-4) DEVIL-MAY-CARE {D{EVIL}ARE} over {YMCA}*

21 Alarming signs with poor prospect of recovery (9) PROGNOSIS {SIGNS+POOR}*

23 Turn to fight about catching husband with lady (5) WHORL {RO{H}W<=}{L}

24 Annoying start to sojourn with money stolen by brute (7) SPITING {So...n}{PI{TIN}G}

25 Links up fuse in building, checks current (7) UNIFIES {FUSE+IN}* over {I}

26 Well-informed son enjoyed conducting classes at centre (6) S?S?E? (Addendum - SUSSED {S}{US{claSses}ED} - See comments)

27 Sought escort to entertain roguish director (8) SEARCHED {SE{ARCH}E}{D}

DOWN

1   Craving extremely rare honour (6) LUSTRE {LUST}{RarE}

2   Conservative member conducts a little religious ceremony finally in the church (6) CLERGY {C}{LE{Re...s}G}{c...nY}

3   Knowing trouble follows, recklessly not taking oral contraceptives (2,3,4) ON THE PILL {HEP}{ILL<=>{NOT}*

4   Sad dame wishes to overcome depression after special therapy providing relaxation (7,7) SWEDISH MASSAGE {DAME+WISHES}* over {SAG}<=>{S}

6   Joint, ecstasy and booze - primarily for star (5) DENEB {DEN}{E}{Bo..e}

7   Yachtsmen worked, belting out many rhythmical songs (8) CHANTEYS YACHTSmEN*

8   Item served with main course in shed is dahi, extremely fresh (4,4) SIDE DISH* {SHED+IS+DahI}*

9   Travelling to beach? Must pick up stylish good swimsuit (7,7) BATHING COSTIME {TO+BEACH+MUST}* over {IN}{G}

15 Cold and sore in restraints, turning more emaciated (9) SCRAWNIER {C}{RAW} in {REINS<=}

16 Doctor is said to conduct revolutionary operation for obesity (8) ADIPOSIS {IS+SAID}* over {OP<=}

17 Electronic systems on aircraft in Nicosia repaired - maintaining velocity (8) AVIONICS {A{V}IONICS*}

19 Luxurious houses, Long Island's perfect (6) POLISH {PO{LI}SH}

20 See 14 Across

22 Sound in casino is ear-splitting (5) NOISE [T]

Reference List

Caught = CT, Woman = W, National = N, Down = D, Book = B, Husband = H, Lady = L, Money = TIN, Current = I, Son = S, Director = D, Conservative = C, Knowing = HEP, Special = S, Ecstacy = E, Many = M<, Stylish = IN, Good = G, Cold = C, Velocity = V