No 14306, Wednesday 16 Oct 2024, Crescent

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.

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

ACROSS

8   Turning deaf with accountant coming in front (6) FACADE {DEAF}* over {CA}

9   Faded, reportedly stained blue (4,4) DIED DOWN {(~dyed)DIED}{DOWN}

10 Sit astride cycling seat taking short test (8) STRADDLE {S{TRy}ADDLE}

11 New game in puzzle (6) ENIGMA*

12 Yield doubled (close to double) last month (4) ?E?E (Addendum - CEDE {d...lE}{DEC}<= - See comments)

13 Fail to qualify in time, such times lost (4,3,3) MISS THE CUT {T+SUCH+TIMES}*

14 Women stand for painter, a sly guy (6) WEASEL {W}{EASEL}

16 Easy spending as banks clear funds for business (6) EQUITY {EasY} over {QUIT}

19 Area near Marina, Fort and new art complex (10) WATERFRONT {FORT+NEW+ART}*

21 Either end of crimped rope (4) CORD {C or D from CrimpeD}

23 Busy hotel initially confusing name over bags (6) HECTIC {H}{CIT{Co...g}E<=}

24 Collapse in heavy shower (8) DOWNFALL [DD]

26 God endlessly stretched the whole time (3,5) ALL ALONG {ALLAh}{LONG}

27 Storm in front keeping Russia back (6) FURORE {F{RU<=}ORE}

DOWN

1   Status of chap let off (6) MANTLE {MAN}{LET*}

2   Comrades hosting state conferences (8) PALAVERS {PAL{AVER}S}

3   Submit name to be admitted into foundation (4) BEND {BE{N}D}

4   Unsuitable depth beyond a metre (7) ADVERSE {D}<={A} with {VERSE}

5   Grudge of soldiers feeling disheartened (10) RESENTMENT {RE}{SENTiMENT}

6   Lawyer rising to fault counsel (6) ADVICE {DA<=}{VICE}

7   Kiwis going topless must fancy a thong? (8) SWIMSUIT {kIWIS+MUST}*

13 Manly pose cracks for criminal (10) MALEFACTOR {MALE}{F{ACT}OR}

15 Bachelor departing after appointed time in high spirits (8) ELATEDLY bELATEDLY

17 Confirm base under opening in umbrella is hook-shaped (8) UNCIFORM {CONFIRM}*<=>{Um...a}

18 Appropriate ethic on dignified housing section (7) CONDIGN [T]

20 Decoy maiden leaving people turning to split (6) ENTRAP {mEN}{PART<=}

22 Queen lures excited monarchs (6) RULERS {R}{LURES*}

25 Drift behind following wife (4) WAFT {AFT}<=>{W}

Reference List

Accountant = CA, Time = T, Women = W, Hotel = H, Russia = RU, Name = N, Depth = D, Metre = VERSE, Soldiers = RE(Royal Engineers), Lawyer = DA, Bachelor = B, Maiden = M, Queen = R(Regina), Wife = W