No 14627, Friday 31 Oct 2025, Dr. X

RULES FOR POSTING COMMENTS FOR FRIDAY ONLY

All those who are not regular commenters but who are rookie commenters or silent followers of the blog are requested to post answers with annotations in the comments section. In your own interest please avoid looking up the answers from the interactive version. Don't hesitate to post your annotations, in case you make a mistake in the annotation someone will correct it with the right annotation.

PLEASE NOTE, SOLUTIONS WITHOUT ATTEMPTING THE ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED

Each commenter is requested to post only 5 answers thereby giving others also a chance to participate. Please provide all your answers in one comment.

Regular solvers/Veterans can post 1 answer each, but after 11 AM only.

Thanks for the response, here's the regular blog.

ACROSS

1   Person driving very fast is drug dealer (5,8) SPEED MERCHANT [DD}

8   Give birth to a cow in grotto across lake (5) CALVE {CA{L}VE}

9   Old pirate's strange device for removing hair (9) DEPILATOR* 

11 Cracked Princeton university's latest process of coding (10) ENCRYPTION {PRINCETON+u...tY}*

12 Captain in trouble after onset of storm (4) SAIL {AIL}<=>{St..m}

14 See 10 Down

16 Excited by performing in drag thus far (2,2,3) UP TO NOW {UP}{T{ON}OW}

17 Character in the new building, one securing locks (7) HAIRNET {AIR} in {THE+N}*

19 Range over which one can hear others fighting around afternoon (7) EARSHOT {OTHERS}* over {A}

21 Enthusiastic about India's opener smashing ton (4) INTO {In..a}{TON*}

22 Worker admits messing up task (10) ASSIGNMENT {A{MESSING*}NT}

25 Family crushed by atrocious liars essentially endorsing hooligans in Australia (9) LARRIKINS {KIN} in {LIARS+e..oRs..g}*

26 Ace following case of kidnapper in Danish capital (5) KRONE {ONE}<=>{Ki...eR}

27 Extremely sensitive Conservative fearing parliamentary scrutiny (6,7) SECOND READING {Se...vE}{CON}{DREADING}

DOWN

2   Bird in Long Island cracking smooth-shelled nut (7) PELICAN {PE{LI}CAN}

3   All enthralled at premiere by extremely slim girl (10) EVERYTHING {En...d}{VERY}{THIN}{G}

4   Thick fog around delta (5) MIDST {MI{D}ST}

5   Cut clothes for ape (9) REPRODUCE {RE{PRO}DUCE}

6   Embrace hot lady in retro party (4) HOLD {H}{D{L}O<=}

7   Blunder largely negating profit after costs (3,4) NET GAIN {NEGATINg}*

8   Deceive husband, having romp finally with Romeo - ruinous moment of fleeting pleasure (5,6) CHEAP THRILL {CHEA{romP}T}{H}{R}{ILL}

10 What good boxer will do to adapt to adverse circumstances (4,4,3,7) ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES [C&DD]

13 Daren't ask! King's foolishly wearing nothing at all (5,5) STARK NAKED {DARENT+ASK+K}*

15 Fiesta is fantastic, daughter's delighted (9) SATISFIED {FIESTA+IS}*{D}

18 Wants cocaine distributed in secret among themselves (5,2) INTER SE {IN+SEcRET}*

20 How one cavorts, embracing date in square dance (7) HOEDOWN {HOW+ONE}* over {D}

23 Problem in gluteus, sinew's twisted (5) ISSUE [T<=]

24 Chief in office, drinking dry sherry (4) FINO [T]

Reference List

Lake = L, Excited = UP, New = N, Afternoon = A, Conservative = CON, Girl = G, Delta = D, Hot = H, Lady = L, Husband = H, Romeo = R, King = K, Cocaine = C, Date = D

No 14626, Thursday 30 Oct 2025, Dr. X

Solution to 19D 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Police officer arrests primarily unscrupulous locksmith? (8) COIFFEUR {OFFICER}* over {Un...s}

5   Old type of firework essentially ignited in fine end to jazz concert (6) FIZGIG {F}{ignIted}{jazZ}{GIG}

10 Slapped Greek character pinching geisha's butt in Japanese city (7) HITACHI {HIT}{CHI} over {g...hA}

11 Support partner in a lawful manner (7) LEGALLY {LEG}{ALLY}

12 Bag filled with money behind a little unusual shrub (5) SUMAC {SAC} over {M}<=>{Un...l}

13 Silly piglet ate sheet at front of book (5,4) TITLE PAGE*

14 Sexual intercourse is a thrill with honey going wild (4,2,3,3) ROLL IN THE HAY {A+THRILL+HONEY}*

18 What might interest a gemcutter in worthy person lacking manners (5,7) ROUGH DIAMOND [DD]

21 Rum in cola after consuming dope - that's delightful (9) CONGENIAL {IN+COLA}* over {GEN}

23 Rubbish outside university on East avenue (5) ROUTE {RO{U}T}{E}

24 Be victorious in border, going west to capture rebellious state (7) PREVAIL {LIP<=} over {AVER<=}

25 Starts to eat economically in seedy diner, becoming more impoverished (7) NEEDIER {N{Eat}{Ec...y}DIER*}

26 One examining source of teratogenic chemical compound (6) TESTER {Te...c}{ESTER}

27 Reviewed report about terrible heat in prison block (5,3) DEATH ROW {WORD<=} over {HEAT}*

DOWN

1   Salmon and special starter of tuna for one sharing emcee duties (2-4) CO-HOST {COHO}{S}{Tuna}

2   Leaking extremely abhorrent secret eventually (2,4) IN TIME INTIMatE

3   One found in bathroom with fine dope in excellent hotel (9) FACECLOTH {F}{CLOT} in {ACE}{H}

4   One in bulletin lying nervously in an incomprehensible manner (14) UNINTELLIGIBLY {1} in {BULLETIN+LYING}*

6   Fire spreading! Leave houses (5) INGLE [T]

7   Giants in trouble retreated, crushed by barbarians (8) GOLIATHS {GO{AIL<=}THS}

8   Clergy reformed extremely youthful radical (8) GLYCERYL {CLERGY*}{Yo...uL}

9   Old men in pub at ground catching glimpse of lovely, fair-haired lady (8,6) PLATINUM BLONDE {OLD+MEN+IN+PUB+AT}* over {Lo...y}

15 Most ravenous tigers vigorously chasing barbarian (9) HUNGRIEST {TIGERS}*<=>{HUN}

16 Couple of drugs for weirdo (8) CRACKPOT {CRACK}{POT}

17 Entering fancy bar, getting a drink (8) GUINNESS {GU{INN}ESS}

19 Invalid in Peru becoming more feeble (6) ?U?I?R (Addendum - PUNIER* - See comments)

20 Tongue in hot English stew (6) HEBREW {H}{E}{BREW}

22 Maternal relative in US assembly after son's deported (5) ENATE sENATE

Reference List

Fine = F, Concert = GIG, Money = M, Dope = GEN, University = U, East = E, Special = S, Hotel = H, Hot = H, English = E, Son = S

No 14625, Wednesday 29 Oct 2025, Vidwan

Solution to 24D 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

8   Dull and pale, not a beauty spot (6) DIMPLE {DIM}{PaLE}

9   English travel out around beginning of October for something that takes them to different level (8) ELEVATOR {E+TRAVEL} over {Oc...r}

10 Old address in guest houses (4) THOU [T]

11 Are art works connecting company to a secure ground? (5,5) TERRA FIRMA {ARE+ART}* over {FIRM}

12 Burn out - that is regressive state (6) BRUNEI {BURN}*{IE<=}

13 Pompous mastery over playing organ (8) ARROGANT {AR{ORGAN*}T}

14 Olympian hero Remo, mostly fighting for what was founded by Charlmagne (4,5,6) HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE {OLYMPIAN+HERO+REMo}*

18 First show of enduring conjugal support (8) ESPOUSAL {En...g}{SPOUSAL}

21 Leaving hoodlum regularly involved in sex trafficking (6) EXODUS {hOoDlUm} in {SEX}*

23 Resident of popular hotel - a scrap worker (10) INHABITANT {IN}{H}{A}{BIT}{ANT}

25 Occasionally shouts hard to silence (4) HUSH {sHoUtS}{H}

26 Disloyal tailless ape, eating plants essentially (8) RECREANT {RECREA{plaNts}Te} Plants essentially will be AN?

27 Labour has no time to check out small spouted bottle for lubrication (6) OILCAN {tOIL}{sCAN}

DOWN

1   Success and other brews so far! (8) HITHERTO {HIT}{OTHER*}

2   Boost dopes could be unsupported (6) UPTURN {UPTURN+DOPES}*=UNSUPPORTED [CA]

3   One I turn magically into a lepton (8) NEUTRINO*

4   Bamboo shoot uprooted for herbivore (4) DEER<=

5   Austria persisted, holding back restoration (6) REPAIR [T<=]

6   Showing enthusiasm for Putin age, surprisingly! (6,2) EATING UP*

7   Stone age tomb of diseased old soldiers (6) DOLMEN {OLD*}{MEN}

13 Benefit from bit of travails (5) AVAIL [T]

15 Regulars in type love resistance, enrolled in various reserves (8) YEOMANRY {tYpE}{O}{MAN{R}Y}

16 English king going back into violent action (8) EXERTION {E}{REX<=}{INTO*}

17 Philosopher arouses, transforms you in the end (8) ROUSSEAU {AROUSES}*{yoU}

19 X numbers backing a verse (6) SONNET {TEN}{NOS}<=

20 Time for grieving at Sankara hospital (6) SHIVAH {SHIVA}{H}

22 Barely done, hot and seasoned in suspension (2,4) ON HOLD {dONe}{H}{OLD}

24 Not in favour of gas bombing? Could be against! (4) A?T? (Addendum - ANTI {ANTI+GAS}*=AGAINST [CA] - See comments)

Reference List

English = E, Hotel = H, Hard = H, Time = T, Small = S, Resistance = R, Hospital = H, Hot = H

No 14624, Tuesday 28 Oct 2025, Vidwan

Solution to 19D 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

8   In retrospect, 10 divided by 10 is one that gives no number in the nearby range (4,4) NEXT DOOR {T{X}EN<=} {DOnOR} 

9   Almost everyone told untruths, being married (6) ALLIED {ALl}{LIED}

10 Scholarly one comes out carrying pen! That is wonderful! (10) STUPENDOUS {STU{PEN}DiOUS}

11 Goodbye from Atlantean, oddly! (2-2) TA-TA aTlAnTeAn

12 During practice team has cold beverage (3,3) ICE TEA [T]

14 The elaborate surrounding, large square and the hour before midnight (8) ELEVENTH {THE}* over {L}{EVEN} 

15 Millions wasted for boy's trip, achieving little growth! (7) STUBBLE STU(-m+b)BBLE

17 Royal's bad taste, plays out occasionally (7) STATELY {TASTE}*{pLaYs}

20 End up in right careers and hold up (8) UNDERPIN {END+UP+IN+R}*

22 Love natural drinks, start to distil for trial (6) ORDEAL {O}{R{Di...l}EAL}

24 Intelligence agency recruited a good group of conjurers (4) MAGI {M{A}{G}I}

25 Beach model with vacuous air, something like an urchin (4,6) SAND DOLLAR {SAND}{DOLL}{AiR}

27 Mum is back at fasting (6) SILENT {IS<=}{LENT}

28 We have right way to alert banks, emptied for someone like Dwayne Johnson (8)  WRESTLER {W{R}E}{ST}{aLERt}

DOWN

1   Infected wound - initially scrubbed, cleaned with ice mostly (6) SEPTIC {SwEPT}{ICe} What's the role of 'initially'? See comments

2   That operational part is over! (4) ATOP [T]

3   Time to have hotel at each official place of local government (4,4) TOWN HALL {T}{OWN}{H}{ALL}

4   Singer Spooner takes credit for small performance at first (7) CROONER {+cr-s-p)CROONER

5   Altercation sound engulfing ship (6) HASSLE {HA{SS}LE}

6   Rated tea as misused (3-7) ILL-TREATED [RATED+TEA}* [RA] There's an extra A in the fodder

7   Support used in golf to train, without one on the wagon (8) TEETOTAL {TEE}{TO}{TAiL} 

13 Story about black family, new to setting for serving of food (5,5) TABLE LINEN {TA{B}LE} {LINE}{N}

16 Nazi at an anarchic country (8) TANZANIA*

18 Indecisive wife intervening to protect self from financial risk, after husband left and died (3-5) TWO- EDGED {T{W}O}{hEDGE}{D}

19 After losing power, rebel King won back northern virgin (7) ?N?N?W? (Addendum - UNKNOWN {pUNK}{K}{WON<=}{N} - See comments)

21 Old Spanish money plant covered by legume plant (6) PESETA {PE{SET}A}

23 Unlimited hazy beer and a cream (6) AZALEA {hAZy}{ALE}{A} Cream? Azalea is a Plant!!

26 Board that is somewhat flat headed (4) LATH [T]

Reference List

Ten = X, Number = N, Large = L, Millions = M, Boy = B, Right = R, Intelligence agency = MI, Good = G, Time = T, Hotel = H, Credit = CR, Small = S, Ship = SS, Black = B, New = N, Wife = W, Husband = H, Died = D, Power = P, King = K, Northern = N

No 14623, Monday 27 Oct 2025, Vidwan

Solution to 25A 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

8   Spooner's blending alternate for a mocktail (6,4) VIRGIN MARY (merging vary to virgin mary)

9   Bare element for God of the wisdom (4) ODIN iODINe

10 Bail at once? Difficult for criminal (10) ACTIONABLE* Semi&lit

11 Love comical mouse (4) VOLE*

12 Dance was complicated, like a puzzle (6) JIGSAW {JIG}{WAS*}

13 Young flier jiggles, gets in line occasionally (8) NESTLING {GETS+IN+LiNe}*

15 Wrong returns? Run! (4) TROT<=

16 Cell where the two, together welcomed love (5) BOOTH {BO{O}TH}

17 Every pain in the end comes to the fore (4) EACH (+e)EACH(-e)

19 A very loud score reaching inwardly towards the core (8) AFFERENT {A}{FF}E{RENT} E from?

21 Agitating over European Union works, totally! (6) OEUVRE {OVER+EU}* 

22 Unwritten unbounded ethics (4) ORAL mORALs

23 Doctor submits a case of subocular squint (10) STRABISMUS {SUBMITS+A+Su...aR}*

24 Pluto's cold circle (4) DISC {DIS}{C}

25 Tell about new English royal's unexpected meeting (10) R?N?O?N?E? (Addendum - RENCOUNTER - {RE{N}{COUNT}{E}{R} - See comments)

DOWN

1   More sticky like power and lust! That is right! (8) PITCHIER {P}{ITCH}{IE}{R}

2   Technical task! Go rushing! As fast as possible! (7,3,5) AGAINST THE CLOCK*

3   Lost without direction, Elba won all around, that is something beyond comprehension (10) UNKNOWABLE {sUNK}{ELBA+WON}*

4   Measure of pollution by a person or vehicle, good base to record on paper (6,9) CARBON  FOOTPRINT {CAR}{BON}{FOOT}{PRINT}

5   Bits found in twisted safety belts (4) BYTE [T<=]

6   Fitting in elusive clue on a French culinary style (8,7) NOUVELLE CUISINE*

7   Substitute flipper getting sick (4,2) FILL IN {F{ILL}IN}

14 Most choose fancy look over piece of basic student literature (10) SCHOOLBOOK {CHOOSe}*{L{Ba..c}OOK}

18 Song about purpose of conveyor belt (8) CAROUSEL {CARO{USE}L}

20 Ban because of command (6) FORBID {FOR}{BID}

23 Antidotes are distributed after end of trials (4) SERA {ARE}*<=>{t...lS}

Reference List

Very loud = FF, Cold = C, About = RE, English = E, Royal = R, Power = P, Right = R, Good = BON

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 27, Sunday 26 Oct 2025, Incognito

ACROSS

8 & 1 Gobble creature with feather (4,4) WOLF DOWN {WOLF}{DOWN}

9   Bird gives shelter to one Sesame Street character (5) ERNIE {ERN{1}E}

10 Aluminium probably sourced initially in mountain range (4) ALPS {AL}{Po...y}{So...d}

11 Ms Merkel's bro left Bangalore building (6) ANGELA bANGALorE*

12 Old hotel accepts garlic preparation for big businessman controlling politics (8) OLIGARCH {O}{GARLIC*}{H}

13 Choke stern gal erroneously (8) STRANGLE*

15 False nature wrongly shown around university, in absence of academician (6) UNTRUE {NaTURE}* over {U}

17 Clarify: "Previous girlfriend unattractive" (7) EXPLAIN {EX}{PLAIN}

19 Doctor, he later treated skin (7) LEATHER* Doctor is superfluous See comments

22 Except one, entire entourage initially gets main course (6) ENTREE {ENTiRE}En...e}

24 Moneylender's income from Bury estate (8) INTEREST {INTER}{EST}

26 Test case may be stored in this? (8) CASSETTE* Semi&lit

28 Get away from Spanish headland (6) ESCAPE {ES}{CAPE}

30 Indian tribal from Srinagar (4) NAGA [T]

31 Sinatra's candid (5) FRANK [DD]

32 Bedouin, for example, found in Vikarabad (4) ARAB [T]

DOWN

1 See 8 Across

2   When everything is taken into account, fall rate may be adjusted (5,3) AFTER ALL* 

3   Margaret hugs grandmother in Malaysian island (6) PENANG {PE{NAN}G} 

4   Wildly run around chap and remove lid (7) UNCOVER {UN{COVE}R*}

5   Partly dressed? Used mine wrongly... (4-4) SEMI-NUDE*

6   Person with exceptional aptitude sat around vehicle (6) SAVANT {SA{VAN}T}

7   Magnificent record followed by one hundred (4) EPIC {EP}{1}{C}

14 Container carrying animal poison (5) TOXIN {T{OX}IN}

16 Addicts sure to be confused before starting to sniff (5) USERS {SURE}*{Sn..f}

18 Find yeti roaming and recognise (8) IDENTIFY*

20 Traitor's taco (8) TURNCOAT {TACO}* [RA]

21 Date for payment of penalty? Can be a nice period of 24 hours! (4,3) FINE DAY [DD]

23 Cars damaged by a large rogue (6) RASCAL {CARS}*{A}{L}

25 Fine tunes and adjusts waste around end of week (6) TWEAKS {TWEA{weeK}S*}

27 Advanced method? Not at home! (4) AWAY {A}{WAY}

29 Fuel from vegetable on a bit of toast (4) PEAT {PEA}{To..t}

Reference List

Old = O, Hotel = H, University = U, Academician = A, Previous girlfriend = EX, Estate = EST, Spanish = ES, Grandmother = NAN, Record = EP(Extended Play), Hundred = C, Large = L

No 14622, Saturday 25 October 2025, Vidwan

 ACROSS
8 Grubby, trapping feet and body odour, like partly cooked egg! (4-6) SOFT-BOILED {SO{FT}{BO}ILED}
9 Cheer hard to irritate! (4) HAIL {H}{AIL}
10 Get rifle right away and practise firing right! (6) OBTAIN {rOB}{TrAIN}
11 Idyllic beyond love expressed in words (8) PASTORAL {PAST}{ORAL} love?
12 Big Brother's point about sixth sense (6) DESPOT {D{ESP}OT}

13 Most fussy fellow, a duke wastes time (8) FADDIEST {F}{A}{D}{DIES}{T}
15 Dumb, unemployed PI is man who pleases women well! (4) STUD {STUpiD}
16 What you spend in Bangkok action, perhaps for cohabitants (5) BAHTS {BAHTS+ACTION}*=COHABITANTS [CA]
17 Most impressive relation (4) GRAN {GRANd}
18 One new to party's given slack (8) INDOLENT {I}{N}{DO}{LENT}
19 Travelling companion of a performer or a working cast (6) ROADIE {OR A*}{DIE}
20 Fail commercially, avoid Spooner's ban (8) SANCTION Spoonerism of SINK SHUN? not sure the Spoonerism works Spoonerism of Tank Shun.See comments.Still not sure if the Spoonerism works. 
22 Expand like Israel in say 1948 or 1967 (6) DILATE [D&CD] {D{IL}ATE} See comments
23 Carries on and helps one going out for day (4) ADDS {A(-i+D)DS}
24 Check number and trace actively (10) COUNTERACT {COUNT}{TRACE*}

DOWN
1 Questionable ethics of aberrant lads and doubters (6,9) DOUBLE STANDARDS*
2 Fat shopper's card's lost! Has no money! (8,3,4) STRAPPED FOR CASH*
3 Meeting organised about lender England exiled (5,5) ROUND TABLE {ABOUT LENDeR}*

4 Help goofiest nut stupidly saying something without wanting to! (4,2,3,6) SLIP OF THE TONGUE*
5 Wrong side of 15th May, maybe (4) IDES*
6 Yodel interrupted by yell, right inside kitchen area of ship used for target practice (8,7) SHOOTING GALLERY {S{HOOT}ING}{GALLE{R}Y}

7 Last activists managed getting it - important data on population (5,10) VITAL STATISTICS {LAST ACTIVISTS}* over {IT}
14 Slanders late princess with small list of people who made a specific film (10) DISCREDITS {DI}{S}{CREDITS}
21 Some chit chat for long (4) ITCH [T]

REFERENCE LIST

Feet=Ft, Body Odour=BO, Hard=H, Right=R, Sixth sense=ESP(Extra Sensory Perception), Fellow=F, Duke=D, Time=T, New=N, Party=Do, One=I, Day=D, England=E, Late Princess=Di(Princess Diana), Small=S.

No 14621, Friday 24 Oct 2025, Crescent

RULES FOR POSTING COMMENTS FOR FRIDAY ONLY

All those who are not regular commenters but who are rookie commenters or silent followers of the blog are requested to post answers with annotations in the comments section. In your own interest please avoid looking up the answers from the interactive version. Don't hesitate to post your annotations, in case you make a mistake in the annotation someone will correct it with the right annotation.

PLEASE NOTE, SOLUTIONS WITHOUT ATTEMPTING THE ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED

Each commenter is requested to post only 5 answers thereby giving others also a chance to participate. Please provide all your answers in one comment.

Regular solvers/Veterans can post 1 answer each, but after 11 AM only.

Thanks for the response, here's the regular blog.

ACROSS

8   Conformity as soon as controls last long (9) OBEDIENCE {O{BE}{DIE}NCE}

9   Viewed first person declared dead (4) EYED {(~i)EYE}{D}

10 Rank highly appalling, a boy regrets test (3,5,5,2) SET GREAT STORE BY*

12 Avoid flagging sponge to wrap fine ring containing diamonds (4-5) SOFT-PEDAL {SO{F}T}{PE{D}AL}

13 Sauce placed over gold dish (5) PILAU {LIP<=}{AU}

14 Heraldic bearing League adopts ends in uprising (7) AUGURAL {A{Up...nG}URA}{L}

17 Extent of length say a cart may be wheeled (7) YARDAGE {EG}{A}{DRAY}<=

19 Private free quarters fixed (5) RIGID {RI{GI}D}

21 Fruit taste of plums softly penetrating wine and beer (4,5) ROSE APPLE {Plums}{P} in {ROSE}{ALE}

24 A new take, worried about the Internet maybe (4,4,7) WIDE AREA NETWORK*

25 Combination of parties pass bill originally sent back (4) BLOC {COL}{Bill}<=

26 Sentry for one English queen filling drink, that lady's love? (9) SUPERHERO {E}{R}{HER}{O}<=>{SUP}

DOWN

1   Cuckoo rues singer's opening with 'Ah Poor Bird' (5,7) HOUSE SPARROW {RUES+Si...r+W+AH+POOR}*

2   Darling finally tiring of sex about to quibble (8) PETTIFOG {PET} with {t...nG}{OF}{IT}<=

3   Forward unit, section returning military status report (6) SITREP {PERT}{1}{S}<=

4   Advanced operating room at hospital (6) ONWARD {ON}{WARD}

5   Sly Wellington circles it from behind (8) WEASELLY {WE{SA<=}{E}LLY} Second E from?

6   Not satisfactory to live above means? (5,3) BELOW PAR {BE}{LOW}{PAR} 

7   Uncover cut red meat (6) REVEAL {REd}{VEAL}

11 University in New York, one very liberal perhaps (3,5,4) YOU NEVER KNOW {U] in {NEW+YORK+ONE+V}*

15 Boring without a spring clearance (8) RIDDANCE {aRID}{DANCE}

16 Not so much taking a rupee, good element of expansive generosity (8) LARGESSE {L{A}{R}{G}ESS}{Ex...e}

18 State accepts suggestion of pardon for informer (8) APPROVER {A{Pa...n}{PRO}VER}

20 Pest following chaps happily skipping line (6) GADFLY {F} in {GlADLY}

22 Jupiter's planet somewhat overshadowed by Mars in open-endedness (6) SINOPE [T]

23 Churches have these reforms broadcast (6) ALTARS (~alters)

Reference List

Dead = D, Fine = F, Diamonds = D, Sauce = LIP, League = L, Private = GI, Softly = P, Pass = COL, English = E, Queen = R, With = W, Sex = IT, Section = S, It = SA(Sex Appeal), University = U, Very = V, Rupee = R, Good = G, Element = E, Following = F

No 14620, Thursday 23 Oct 2025, KrisKross

Solution to 9A 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Considers exercise (bit of cardio) during breaks (8) RESPECTS {RES{PE}{Ca...o}TS}

5   Order exhausted swimmers to go around lake (6) SERIES {Sw..{ERIE}...rS}

9   Misfortune breaking leg, cycling in farmlands (8) T?L?A?E? (Addendum - TILLAGES {ILL} in {(-s)TAGE(+s)S} - See comments)

10 Successful performance by that lady here (6) HITHER {HIT}{HER}

12 Water body devastated a rose tree (9) PONDEROSA {POND}{A+ROSE}*

13 What a blessing to have food! (5) TABLE [T]

14 Member with round toy (4) LEGO {LEG}{O}

16 Crescent-shaped object in bag, coated with cement (7) LUNETTE {LU{NET}TE}

19 Idiot caught by force shortly, resulting in standoff (7) IMPASSE {IMP{ASS}El}

21 Stop and shoot (4) STEM [DD]

24 Husband in trouble leaves to get a weapon (5) ARROW hARROW

25 Most of Gujarat, UP, Uttarakhand finally prepared for festival (5,4) DURGA PUJA {GUJARAt+UP+u...nD}*

27 I tried jogging to become more trim (6) TIDIER*

28 General charged, scoring runs.. Around 100 (8) ECLECTIC {ELECTrIC} over {C}

29 Missile plant (6) ROCKET [DD]

30 Most elegant furniture covers on sale (8) COUTHEST {C{OUT}HEST}

DOWN

1   Try every possible entrance for starters - lost key again! (6) RETYPE {TRY+Ev..y+Po...e+En...e}* Not fair, how many starters to take?

2   Alone, ultimately crestfallen, saying "Goodbye" (2,4) SO LONG {SOLO}{c...eN}{s...nG}

3   Some need a very elevated fence (5) EVADE [T<=]

4   Artist's connection with game (7) TIEPOLO {TIE}{POLO}

6   Old partner is sounding worried - that's life (9) EXISTENCE {EX}{IS}{(Tense)TENCE}

7   Checks core of chip inside, where computer data is stored (8) INHIBITS {cHIp} in {IN BITS}

8   Wizard is more unhappy after acquiring riches, oddly (8) SORCERER {SO{RiChEs}RER}

11 Draw large room, say (4) HAUL (~hall)

15 Measures garments for the audience in another place (9) ELSEWHERE {ELS}{(~wear)WHERE}

17 Calamity at sea - tried to protect one aboard ship (8) DISASTER {TRIED}* over {S{A}S}

18 Intermittent code radios copy regularly (8) SPORADIC {RADIOS+CoPy}*

20 Stops loans, not having closure of deal (4) ENDS lENDS

21 Dusty wind in Cairo's destroying a poor business (7) SIROCCO {CaIROS}{CO}

22 Tear part of skirt (6) BUSTLE [DD]

23 American tap dancing - cute and fun at first (6) FAUCET {CUTE+And+Fun}*

26 Representative had brief to gather information (5) AGENT {A{GEN}Te}

Reference List

Exercise = PE, Husband = H, Runs = R, Hundred = C, Old partner = EX, Ship = SS, Business = CO, Information = GEN

No 14619, Wednesday 22 Oct 2025, Incognito

Solution to 7D 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

8   Star having that lady's ring (4) HERO {HER}{O}

9   Child sick? What one may do with Netflix... (5) CHILL {CH}{ILL}

10 Some trade name for port (4) ADEN [T]

11 Botched affair for manufacturing wine (6) RAFFIA*

12 Tore up ID letter and threw garbage in public place (8) LITTERED*

13 Roll with girl and egg with wife in large house (8) BUNGALOW {BUN}{GAL}{O}{W}

15 Repairs a lunch carrier, perhaps (6) LAUNCH*

17 Indian plane manufacturer gets a message to make bomber aircraft (7) HALIFAX {HAL}{1}{FAX}

19 Cork's device to arrest flow of liquid (7) STOPPER [DD]

22 Cashier's informant (6) TELLER [DD]

24 Reserves mares running around boat (8) EARMARKS {EARM{ARK}S*}

26 Wrongly solve: Ring no good for something to be sung at a serenade (4-4) LOVE-SONG {SOLVE}*{O}{N}{G}

28 Order initially, "East Coast Road to be built in river"! (6) DECREE {D{ECR}EE}

30 Only Indian politician from Jammu and Kashmir? (4) LONE [DD}

31 Temporarily stop ape running amok round America (5) PAUSE {PA{US}E*}

32 Horrible! It may be live! (4) EVIL*

DOWN

1   Letter's estimated time of arrival? After 7th of September (4) BETA {ETA}<=>{s...mBer}

2   Girls appearing in extraordinary files covering love for singing exercises (8) SOLFEGGI {GG} in {FILES}* over {O}

3   Scribble "Supreme court misinterprets law after initial reading" (6) SCRAWL {SC}{LAW}* over {Re...g}

4   Prisoners of war protect sick, giving support for heads (7) PILLOWS {P{ILL}OWS}

5   Part of blood record returned by Attlee is damaged (8) PLATELET {LP<=}{ATTLEE}*

6   Entrance with Australian cake (6) GATEAU {GATE}{AU}

7   Defeated, not dead... That's fair... (4) ?E?E (Addendum - FETE deFEaTEd - See comments)

14 People of all ages can see this wise man's customary practice (5) USAGE {U}{SAGE}

16 Indian king makes water inlet (5) CREEK {CREE}{K}

18 Aerial warfare unit's endless scrap iron thrown away (3,5) AIR CORPS {SCRAP+IROn}*

20 Scheme with Chester to produce blank coin (8) PLANCHET {PLAN}{CHET}

21 Setter leaving European country covers a city in Karnataka (7) BELGAUM {BELGiUM} over {A}

23 Confused lip reader giving up rap for a song (6) LIEDER {LIp+rEaDER}*

25 Tiller having right source of milk (6) RUDDER {R}{UDDER}

27 Instrument playing bolero without use of both hands (4) OBOE BOlErO*

29 Way to leave old sweetheart with sex appeal (4) EXIT {EX}{IT}

Reference List

Child = CH, Roll = BUN, Girl = G, Wife = W, No = N, Good = G, Record = LP, People of all ages = U, King = K, Chester = CHET, Right = R, Sex Appeal = IT

Special, Tuesday 21 Oct 2025, Ghaza

Three answers per commenter till 1 PM (Annotations compulsory) 

Please submit all your answers in one comment.  

(COMMENTS ENTERED WITH LESS THAN THREE ANSWERS/ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT NOTICE, UNLESS THE COMMENTER SPECIFIES THAT IT IS A COMPENSATION FOR A REPEAT)

Part-B: Fill in the blanks with a clue number e.g. 6a, 14d, etc.

Enjoy.

No 14618, Monday 20 Oct 2025, Incognito

Artwork by Prasanna

Rangoli by Gowri

HAPPY DIWALI

Solution to 18A 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

7   State: "Love male" (4) OMAN {O}{MAN}

8   Bury in front of an actress, among other things (5,4) INTER ALIA {INTER}{ALIA}

10 Kind of hat worn by parents around North America (6) PANAMA {PA}{NA}{MA}

11 Moron! Tea is spilt in foyer... (8) ANTEROOM*

12 Indian manufactures coke here (8) CHEROKEE*

14 Push large implement (6) SHOVEL {SHOVE}{L}

16 Look at Indian food... It's a shame... (7) SCANDAL {SCAN}{DAL}

18 Gets away from Spanish headlands (7) ?S?A?E? (Addendum - ESCAPES {ES}{CAPES} - See comments)

21 Father gets tenancy charge from immediate ancestor (6) PARENT {PA}{RENT}

23 Asked for some quantity of paper in final part (8) ENQUIRED {EN{QUIRE}D}

25 Pious scamp's boats (8) PIROGUES {PI}{ROGUES}

27 Damage brace after international mass (6) IMPAIR {PAIR}<=>{I}{M}

29 Old PM is happy to gain 14 pounds (9) GLADSTONE {GLAD}{STONE}

30 Therefore, head office is in London locality (4) SOHO {SO}{HO}

DOWN

1   Route taken by mice running around showing ability to share feelings (8) EMPATHIC {EM{PATH}IC*}

2   Civilisation from Latin America developed in absence of material (4) INCA {latIN+ameriCA}

3   Mediocre journalist captures Juliet around one to forcibly take control of aircraft, for example (6) HIJACK {H{J}ACK} over {1}

4   Old kind of ship's faultless service carrying sports group (7) STEAMER {S{TEAM}ERvice}

5   Demonstrations for examinations (8) PROTESTS {PRO}{TESTS}

6   Horrible blunder to leave den and obfuscate (4) BLUR {BLUndeR}* Horrible before den would have been better!

9   A sound quality, to make amends (5) ATONE {A}{TONE}

13 Called engineer to get distance covered (5) RANGE {RANG}{E}

15 Look! A pig carrying animal! (5) OKAPI [T]

17 Rituals organised around beginning of month show selflessness (8) ALTRUISM {RITUALS}*{Mo..h} At beginning of  month would be better

19 Yes! Eight can get vision! (8) EYESIGHT* Anind?

20 Agitating peons accept current name for post-retirement payment (7) PENSION {PENS{I}O*}{N}

22 Silver containing drink is getting old (5) AGING {A{GIN}G}

24 Shake Archer's store (6) QUIVER [DD]

26 Erroneous kayo? Fine! (4) OKAY*

28 Some tense part of sherpa's travel (4) PAST [T]

Reference List

Large = L, Pious = PI, International = I, Mass = M, Juliet = J, Engineer = E, Current = I, Name = N