No 14714, Wednesday 11 Feb 2026, Saral

Solution to 14D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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

7   Fantastic blue and silver back whale (6) BELUGA {BLUE}*}{AG<=}

8   Preserve excellent books penned by principal (8) MAINTAIN {M{A1}{NT}AIN}

9   Station master near subway counter for final examination (4-6) POST-MORTEM {POST}{M}{METRO<=}

10 Request from people accepted (4) PLEA [T]

11 Spanish journalist to get a round of coffee (8) ESPRESSO {ES}{PRESS}{O}

12 Two pieces of thin taro damaged windpipe (6) THROAT {THin}{TARO*}

13 Method of designing old pure diamonds (5,8) MODUS OPERANDI {O+PURE+DIAMONDS}*

16 Scientist in pressure with a measuring system mainly (6) PASCAL {P}{A}{SCALe}

18 Petitioner in court protecting wild animal (8) CLAIMANT {C{ANIMAL*}T}

21 Advertisement is abrupt and dull (4) BLUR BLURb

22 Gauge mood controlling expression of pain mostly from the heart (10) TOUCHSTONE {T{OUCH}{moSTly}ONE}

23 Killing hundred soldiers after Indian state is upset (8) MASSACRE {C}{RE}<=>{ASSAM<=}

24 Call again engineers to help rolling line (6) REDIAL {RE}{AID<=}{L}

DOWN

1   That woman with son training birds (6) HERONS {HER}{SON*}

2   Assembled plant reportedly (8) MUSTERED (~mustard)

3   Noted a tailless rodent behind fellow (6) FAMOUS {A}{MOUSe}<=>{F}

4   Spread a meal primarily consumed by weight watcher (8) DIAMETER {DI{A}{Meal}ETER}

5   State of shock from bombing US port (6) STUPOR* 

6   Some elite, rational intellectuals (8) LITERATI [T]

8   Point out crime playing in movie (6,7) MOTION PICTURE*

13 Cooking at first fresh oatmeal dish (4,4) MEAT LOAF {Fr..h+OATMEAL}*

14 Spooner says "Stop sibling in biannual event" (8) S?L?T?C? (Addendum - SOLSTICE (stall sis to solstice - See comments)

15 Worm in bump around oriental carpet (8) NEMATODE {N{E}{MAT}ODE}

17 Body right inside bush (6) CORPSE {CO{R}PSE}

19 Follow a daughter with that man again (6) ADHERE {A}{D}{HE}{RE}

20 Assassins? Yes in Germany chasing Indian often with son (6) NINJAS {JA}<=>{iNdIaN} and {S}

Reference List

Books = NT(New Testament), Master = M, Spanish = ES, Old = O, Pressure = P, Court = CT, Hundred = C, Soldiers = RE(Royal Engineers), Line = L, Fellow = F, Oriental = E, Right = R, Daughter = D, Again = RE, Yes in German = JA, Son = S

No 14713, Tuesday 10 Feb 2026, Karaoke

Solution to 23A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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   Appeal to umpire by Zimbabwe rejected after outlandish oath outside (6) HOWZAT {HO{ZW<=}AT*}

4   Contents removed from nightshirt following a day in satellite (8) ADHERENT {Ni...rT}<=>{A}D}{HERE}

9   The Apostles perhaps in between solvers' hearts (6) TWELVE {beTWEen}{soLVErs}

10 This animal in the room, you would not like to talk about difficult situation (8) ELEPHANT [C&DD]

12 Eternity, free-for-all (8) ENTIRETY*

13 Shots in the arm to the Devil, mostly by saint (6) TONICS {TO}{NICk}{S}

15 Fine clue, bottom to top (4) THIN (+t)THIN(-t)

17 Sink in latrine, fit to be destroyed (10) INFILTRATE*

19 Cooking appliance in resort is defective and extremely inaccurate (10) ROTISSERIE {RESORT+IS}*{In...tE}

20 Small rodent inside treasure, it may spread disease (4) GERM {GE{Ro...t}M}

23 Something wrong with a very troublesome child? (6) T?R?O? (Addendum - TERROR {Th..g}{ERROR} _ See comments)

24 Never compose music outright without expertise initially (3,2,3) NOT AT ALL {NOTATe}{ALL}

27 It's the character of Indian setter to get energy by force (8) IDEOGRAM {I}{D{E}OG}{RAM}

28 Rogue conceals degree in suitcase (3,3) BAD EGG {BA{DEG}G}

29 Comedians possibly cracked satires about model (8) ARTISTES {ARTIS{T}ES*}

30 I am told to get permission for skirt (6) BYPASS (~buy pass)

DOWN

1   Stolen base? Criminals may end up here (3,4) HOT SEAT {HOT}{SEAT}

2   Take away by force from others, according to reports (5) WREST (~rest)

3   Loudly say state recruits director on board basically (6) ADVERB {A{D}VER}{Bo..d}

5   Shop's key with setter (4) DELI {DEL}{I}

6   Makes use of old pistol in rebellion (8) EXPLOITS {EX}{PISTOL*}

7   Kill time with girlfriend eating ice cream mainly (9) ERADICATE {ERA}{D{Ice}{Cr..m}ATE}

8   How much salt you add for a pleasing result? (2,5) TO TASTE [CD]

11 Vocalist hugs model in cocktail (7) STINGER {S{T}INGER}

14 Potentially AI is no ultimate tool for working relationship (7) LIAISON {AI+IS+NO+tooL}*

16 Meet veteran heartily participating in cricket? (9) INTERSECT {IN{veTERan}SECT}

18 Provided exorbitant loans? Boastful talk (2,4,2) AS LONG AS {LOANS*}{GAS}

19 Wine container unopened and returned (7) RETSINA cANISTER<=

21 Blasphemes representation of lingams (7) MALIGNS*

22 Celebration with semi-sexy stars (6) GALAXY {GALA}{seXY}

25 Primarily athletes regularly entertain nail-biting audience here (5) ARENA Acrostic Semi&lit

26 Topless pair in competition (4) RACE bRACE

Reference List

Day = D, Saint = S, Indian = I, Setter = DOG, Energy = E, Model = T, Director = D, Key = DEL, Old = EX

No 14712, Monday 09 Feb 2026, Gussalufz

Solution to 29A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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.

Flying weapon, Eh?

ACROSS

1   Momentum in favour of church (5) FORCE {FOR}{CE}

4   Gen X reach out for someone with currency in many countries? (9) EXCHANGER*

9   Reportedly, they use their tongues in drinks (7) LIQUORS (~lickers)

10 Revolting double entendre ("IT's over with all unfulfilled!") about marriage (7) NUPTIAL {PUN<=}{IT<=}{ALl}

11 Voices in the heart of woods, near tall evergreens (6) OPINES {woOds}{PINES}

12 Carefree zebra shows how to chill again (8) REFREEZE [T]

14 Nearly bald hero (4) STAR STARk

15 Temperature in ice age pot readjusted for meat pastry (7,3) COTTAGE PIE {T} in {ICE+AGE+POT}*

18 Ms. X, not an evangelist? (10) MISSIONARY {MISS}{10}{NARY}

19 Conflicts happened to be connected with rupees (4) WARS {WA{R}S}

22 Be as composed, everyone, as a sandy shore (3,5) SEA BEACH {BE+AS}*{EACH}

24 European prime minister is back with anger and great power (6) EMPIRE {E}{PM<=}{IRE}

26 Increase in egg prices ends, union's leader arrested (7) UPSURGE {U{Pr..eS}RGE} over {Un..n}

27 Evacuate if given time after rail malfunctions (7) AIRLIFT {IF}{T}<=>{RAIL}*

28 Woman records family material (9) SHEEPSKIN {SHE}{EPS}{KIN}

29 Perhaps some mother's role in film? (5) L?Y?R (Addendum - LAYER DBE - See comments)

DOWN

1   Men and strong women engaged in greetings (no husband) (7) FELLOWS {F}{hELLO{W}S}

2   Resign, joining authentic startup, initially for payments (9) REQUITALS {RE{QUIT}AL}{St...p}

3   Brought out Tesla, perhaps in order to cover sexual inadequacy (6) EVOKED {EV}OKED Anno pending (Addendum - {EV}{OK}{ED} - See comments)

4   More followers of KKK, we're told? (4) ELSE {(~L's) from kLue kLux kLan}

5   Perform tricks, including juggling etc.? Fancy! (10) CONJECTURE {CONJ{ETC*}URE}

6   Current measurement in the morning, according to agency: 50% (8) AMPERAGE {AM}{PER}{AGEncy}

7   "He shows us the way regularly," Gauri added (5) GUIDE {GaUrI+aDdEd}

8   Excuse wrongdoing involving England? I'm not sure, upon reflection (7) RELIEVE {EV{E}IL}{ER}<=

13 Used conch irritatingly, essentially honking, as prelude to concert? (10) SOUNDCHECK {USED+CONCH}*{honKing}

16 Calmness pill voided stomach complaint (9) PLACIDITY {PilL}{ACIDITY}

17 Turn back cutting north, mate, if this building is not safe (8) FIRETRAP {PARTnER}{IF}<=

18 Mistakes from setter? Ultimately blames drinks (4-3) MESS-UPS {ME}{b...eS}{SUPS}

20 Top corner diner (7) SWEATER {SW}{EATER}

21 Shameless, somewhat regressive novel (a romance) (6) AMORAL [T<=]

23 One's life is empty—this might lead to a wedding? (5) AISLE {A}{IS}{LifE}

25 No way no ball, reviewed! This is tiring (4) YAWN {No}{WAY}<=

Reference List

Church = CE, Temperature = T, Rupees = R, European = E, Egg = URGE, Time = T, Rocords = EP's(Extended play's), Strong = F, Women = W, Husband = H, Tesla perhaps = EV(Electric Vehicle), England = E, Not sure = ER, North = N, Corner = SW(South West)

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 42, Afterdark

ACROSS

9   Master taster first had salt (7) ACETATE {ACE}{Ta...r}{ATE}

10 One never gets disturbed or upset (7) UNNERVE {UN}{NEVER}*

11 Old graduate with nurse essentially appears rude (7) OBSCENE {O}{Bsc}{EN}{appEars}

12 Forces hurt in revolt at the outskirts of Sialkot on Sunday (7) THRUSTS {HURT}*{Si...oT}{S}

13 Mistress becomes quiet reportedly after boundary (9) SIDEPIECE {(~peace)PIECE}<=>{SIDE}

15 Spine showed by police officer facing ex-President (5) SPIKE {SP}{IKE}

16 Drinks a little short mostly (7) BITTERS {BIT}{TERSe}

19 Weight's one gram? Hospital treatment starts later today (7) TONIGHT{TON}{1}{G}{H}{Tr...t}

20 Flood at resort on Tanjore outskirts (5) SPATE {SPA}{Ta...rE}

21 Precedents in cricket matches to keep cover (4,5) TEST CASES {TEST{CASE}S}

25 Uproar among the poorest mostly at introductions (4-3) LEAD-INS {LEA{DIN}St}

26 Say, loser's dismal, so Randolph hugged (4-3) ALSO-RAN [T]

28 Dish with a bit of rum and dates brought by attendant (7) STEWARD {STEW}{A}{Rum}{Da..s}

29 Award received by peer was part of an organ (7) EARLOBE {OBE}<=>{EARL}

DOWN

1   Dialect found from Tampa to Islamabad (6) PATOIS [T]

2   Skilled aides reviewed in turn (6) VERSED [T<=]

3   Local men essentially are naked (4) BARE {BAR}{mEn}

4   Rector always receives excellent respect (6) REVERE {R}{EVER}{E} E/Excellent?

5   Animal skin article's small, basically teeny to the greatest extent (8) FURTHEST {FUR}{THE}{S}{Teeny}

6   In tossing coins far one makes inaudible sound (10) INFRASONIC {IN}{COINS+FAR}*

7   Cadres singularly check plaster (8) DRESSING [T]

8   Again argue about animal getting estrogen replacement therapy (8) REASSERT {RE}{ASS}{ERT}

14 New rep claimed to study preparing for medicine (10) PREMEDICAL*

16 Herb is meeting Kelvin to get a legendary serpent (8) BASILISK {BASIL}{IS}{K}

17 Say, kettle on side, baker loses the lid (3,5) TEA MAKER {TEAM}{bAKER}

18 Cancel class as a core student eloped at first (3-5) SET-ASIDE {SET}{AS}{1}{stuDent{El...d}

22 Collector touring hospital with barber perhaps (6) SHAVER {S{H}AVER}

23 Address by exciting mentors; time flew (6) SERMON MENtORS*

24 Poem from web son downloaded first (6) SONNET {NET}<=>{SON}

27 Say, browse about sea sport (4) SURF [DD]

Reference List

One = UN, Old = O, Nurese = EN(Enrolled Nurse), Sunday = S, Gram = G, Hospital = H, Award = OBE, Rector = R, Small S, About = RE, Kelvin = K, Time = T

No 14711, Saturday 07 Feb 2026, Avtaar

 ACROSS
1 Retired officer about to be welcomed into fair on the hour (6) O'CLOCK {COL C<} in {OK}
5 Women's trophy losing base - broken by kid in flannels (8) WASHRAGS {W}{ASH{RAG}eS}
9 Swine's struggle to restrain one bold mongrel (4,4) WILD BOAR {WAR} around {I}{BOLD*}
10 Stretch out after cycling, play to get silver (6) UNFOLD {(-f)UN(+F)}{OLD}
11 Doctor brings soulless classical fiddlers near the beach (7-5) CALLING CRABS {BRINGS CLAssiCAL}*

13 Cover over pool (4) LIDO {LID}{O}
14 Yankee firm cornered by famous Confederate soldier (4-4) GREY-COAT {GRE{Y}{CO}AT}
17 Maharashtrian city's drive to seize completely bare area (8) SHOLAPUR {SPUR} over {wHOLe}{A}
18 Heartless disruptive debauched senior (4) ROUE {ROgUE}
20 Entertaining compositions of mercurial Dmitriev in empty theatre (12) DIVERTIMENTI {DMITRIEV IN TheatrE}*

23 Mound in Channel Islands that is hot (6) CHILLI {C{HILL}I}
24 Solicit a report about holding of a musical (8) OPERATIC [T<]
25 In a way, I was tense, breaking till (2,2,4) AS IT WERE {I WAS T}*{ERE}
26 Rising and sinking motion in water body outside El Salvador starting to wane (6) SEESAW {SE{ES}A}{Wane}

DOWN
2 Note in message academician's left for Avtaar (4) CHIT {CH(-a+I)T}
3 Antique church in Oslo rebuilt with tips from Orlando's leading designers (3-6) OLD-SCHOOL {CH} in {OSLO Orlando's Leading Designers}*
4 Hillocks in golf links complex lacking traces of grass in front (6) KNOLLS {gOLf LiNKS}*
5 Operating out of the flat of her mom? (7,4,4) WORKING FROM HOME {OF HER MOM}* [RA]
6 Vehicle carrying container with crown of gold conveyed secretly (8) SMUGGLED {SLED} around {MUG}{Gold}
7 Remit 2 rupees covering base fee (5) REFER {R}{R} around {FEE*}
8 Sweet gruel regularly taken with a roll having hole inside (5,5) GULAB JAMUN {GrUeL}{A B{JAM}UN}

12 Couple of drunks starting to sing outside Grand Hotel giving memorable moments (10) HIGHLIGHTS {HIGH LI{G}{H}T}{Sing}
15 L'il lady in retreat entering Bond vehicle in front for tissue (9) CARTILAGE {GAL<}in {TIE}<=>{CAR}
16 Found guards put marks with holes near entrance to fuming volcano, say (8) SPITFIRE {S{PIT}{Fuming}IRE}
19 Judge standing with latest section, reasons (6) INFERS {REF<} in {IN}{S}
21 Spinning yarn about absorbing launch of clothes show (5) ECLAT {TALE<} around {Clothes}
22 Well-known singer in lounge belting out number (4) DIVA {DIVAn}

REFERENCE LIST

Officer=Col., About=C, Women=W, One=I, Over=O, Yankee=Y, Firm=CO, Area=A, Channel Islands=CI, Tense=T, Academician=A, Church=CH, Rupee=R, Grand=G, Hotel=H, Judge=REF(eree), Number=N. 

No 14710, Friday 06 Feb 2026, Bruno

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   Post-graduate hiding dead girl with sheet (10) PLATEGLASS {P{LATE}G}{LASS}

6   Spice's odour turning estate's core inhabitants out (4) HERB  BREatH<=

9   More fighting - guerrilla finally escapes with family (10) EXTRACTION {EXTRA}{aCTION} Definition seems vague See comments

10 Greek Goddess's loss of heart in earth sadly (4) THEA EArTH*

12 Straps designed with a bend and decorated like a flag (4-8) STAR-SPANGLED {STRAPS}*{ANGLED}

15 Circular displaying head of communist revolutionary (7) RADICAL {RADI{Co...t}AL}

16 Model's bottoms - one concealing nothing is tops! (1-6) T-SHIRTS {T}{SH(-o+1)IRTS}

17 Agricultural product from a very old company displaying a date (7) AVOCADO {A}{V}{O}{C{A}{D}O}

19 Setter's excited being part of attempt to retract ragtag army (7) MILITIA {I}{LIT} in {AIM<=}

20 Assembly embargoed bananas after seeing money stuffed in (5,7) BOARD MEETING {EMBARGOED}* over {TIN}

23 One chosen to convey answer (4) ECHO [T]

24 Dodgy part of city square's last line with worn interior's redesigned (10) TENDERLOIN {T}{END}{LINE+wORn}*} 

25 Sailor left Shanghai channel (4) DUCT abDUCT

26 Teen milling around very loud riot often recklessly robbing contents has cheek (10) EFFRONTERY {TEEN}* over {FF}{RiOt}{Re...lY}

DOWN

1   Spy week? (4) PEEK Anno pending

2   Realtors pitching outskirts... it's low! (4) ALTO reALTOrs

3   Cabins slated to be renovated with stretchy things (7,5) ELASTIC BANDS*

4   After some time, a language becomes creative (7) LATERAL {LATER}{A}{L} L/Language?

5   Game popular in Spain and Utah (4,3) SHOT PUT {HOT} in {S}{UT} This is an athletic event and not a game!

7   Delight of perverted liar consumed by old hostility (10) EXHILARATE {EX}{H{LIAR*}ATE}

8   Drink label has upturned flower (10) BRANDYSNAP {BRAND}{PANSY<=} 

11 Ultimately, running hotel's hard (2,3,4,3) IN THE LONG RUN* Hard as Anind?

13 Old custom - to put hand in mouth and put on black register (5,5) BREAK BREAD {B{R}EAK}{B}{READ} Read/Register? See comments

14 Essential part of testimony - a cop hid it, surprisingly for unknown causes (10) IDIOPATHIC {t..tIm..y+A+COP+HID+IT}*

18 How I would refer to setter's working style, mainly, during leave? Kicking back! (7) ONESELF {ON}{St..e}{FLEe<=}

19 Man waving red flag returning from Belgorod - a Tamilian (7) MATADOR [T<=]

21 Fail to win not so tight ODIs, initially getting out (4) LOSE LOoSE

22 Individual working largely in the peripheries (4) ONLY {ON}{La...lY}

Reference List

Model = T, Very = V, Date = D, Sailor = AB, Loud = F, Spain = S, Hand = R, Black = B

No 14709, Thursday 05 Feb 2026, Hypatia

Solution to 24A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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   Bounce back and run moving two steps ahead in one’s network? (8) RICOCHET {(+r)R1C(-r)OCHET}

5   Scatters bouquets (6) SPRAYS [DD]

10 Casually pick American or Japanese fish (3,4) KOI CARP {PICK+A+OR}*

11 Italian dish oddly thrown out from trains to station (7) RISOTTO {tRaInS+tO+sTaTiOn}

12 On retirement British Indian owns title (5) SAHIB {B}{I}{HAS}<=

13 Felt fur of bats is pretty tough (9) EFFORTFUL* 

14 Small girl with singer performing in blue robe (8,4) DRESSING GOWN {S+G+SINGER}* in {DOWN}

18 Good run for popular ride in a village mela, say (5,2,5) MERRY GO ROUND {MERRY}{GO ROUND}

21 Found incomplete URL changes essentially goof up to cause conflict (3,4,2) RUN FOUL OF {FOUNd+URL+goOF}* Essentially GOOF would be OO? (Correction {FOUNd+URL+goOFup}* - See comments)

23 Relating to bones usually located near arm's radius, primarily (5) ULNAR Acrostic

24 Best and worst grades on impartial school projects (7) A?F?I?S (Addendum - AFFAIRS {A}{F}{FAIR}{S} - See comments)

25 Beast managed lying about wife, partly not fully (7) NARWHAL {RAN<=}{W}{HALf}

26 Regularly selected shoe from Men's premium brand (6) HERMES {sHoE+fRoM+mEnS}

27 Combed Tim, especially around sleeping hours (8) BEDTIMES [T]

DOWN

1   Sportingly unconventional anorak is heavily hooded (6) RAKISH [T]

2   Saw bag leaving New England initially (6) CLICHE {CLInCH}{En...d}

3   Cold barren ground rarely cleared out for fruit (9) CRANBERRY {C}{BARREN}{Ra..lY}

4   Dull as an algebra class having no equations? (14) EXPRESSIONLESS {EXPRESSION LESS}

6   Sitter of a puzzle (5) POSER [DD]

7   Fine old cat struggling to lift tail up in unexpected disaster (3,2,3) ACT OF GOD {F+O+CAT}*{DOG<=}

8   Dull student in reasonable fast track? Just the opposite (4,4) SLOW LANE {LOW}{L} in {SANE}

9   Having turned, in effect, car crashing and speeding, for instance (7,7) TRAFFIC OFFENCE {OFF} in {IN+EFFECT+CAR}* 

15 Made U-turn right inside secure defence tower (3,6) GUN TURRET {U+TURN+R}* in {GET}

16 Article of flower put up in holy shrine (8) AMARNATH AMAR(-a)N(+a)ATH

17 Coaches drop international football official returning to shift (8) TRANSFER {TRAiNS}{REF<=}

19 Basically any nation's traditional hymn expressed musically! (6) ANTHEM Acrostic &lit

20 Registers after time and irritates (6) TROLLS {ROLLS}<=>{T}

22 Think of love and ache (5) OPINE {O}{PINE}

Reference List

Run = R, American = A, British = B, Indian = I, Small = S, Girl = S, School = S, Wife = W, New = N, Cold = C, Fine = F, Old = O, Student = L, Right = R, International = I, Time = T

No 14708, Wednesday 04 Feb 2026, Hypatia

Solution to 27D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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

7   Had to take medication in vehicle for grub (11) CATERPILLAR {C{ATE}{R}{PILL}AR}

8   Your old teacher's heading on vacation..happy (3) THY {Te...r}{HappY}

10 Elderly grandma going home tired at last (4) AGED Tail acrostic

11 Fine note played frequently (5) OFTEN {F+NOTE}*

12 Host member close to society (4) ARMY {ARM}{s...tY}

13 Hints tackling reading mistakes (5) TRIPS {T{R}IPS}

15 Hatred spread through cold gangster in church (9) CATHEDRAL {C}{HATRED*}{AL}

16 Husband removing lead from dog's bowl (6) HOLLOW (H}{fOLLOW}

18 Return live in time for argument (6) DEBATE {D{BE<=}ATE}

21 D-shape discontinued gradually (6,3) PHASED OUT {D+SHAPE}* [RA]

23 Demanded rum, sake and unlimited vodka (5) ASKED {SAKE*}{voDka}

25 Press covering UN, regret occasionally (4) URGE {Un+ReGrEt}

26 Children's magazine (5) ISSUE [DD]

27 Some help us help Ram? (4) PUSH [T]

28 Flash drive (3) ZIP [DD]

29 Profession of outstanding field work? (11) AGRICULTURE [CD]

DOWN

1   Animal climbing tree biting hairy organ (8) KANGAROO {OAK}<= over {ORGAN}*

2   Medieval European's alcoholic drink, basically! (4) MEAD Acrostic &lit

3   Tip of porcelain filling in a minute item of cutlery (5) SPOON {S{Po,,,n}OON}

4   Excited about blankets behind American plane (7) PLATEAU {UP<=} over {LATE}{A}

5   Took off and had food including aperitif, at the start (8) LAUNCHED {L{Ap...f}UNCHED}

6   That man boring school boy spending day in hill station (6) SHIMLA {S}{HIM}{LAd}

9   Heard reverend father gambles in irrecoverable obligations (3,5) BAD DEBTS (~dad bets to bad debts)

14 Cultivated from river in New Delhi, ending in Ganges (8) POLISHED {PO}{DELHI+g...eS}*

17 Women, ultimately accepted, signed up for matches (8) WEDDINGS {W}{a...eD+SIGNED}*

19 Value greatly found in nitre as urea (8) TREASURE [T]

20 Interest virgin in short outfit (7) PURSUIT {PURe}{SUIT}

22 Brave ants marching out of chain store building (6) HEROIC {CHaIn+stORE}*

24 Started changing name for married Muslim lady (5) BEGUM BEGU(-n+m)M

27 Weep for devoutness, disheartened (4)  P?T? (Addendum - PITY {PIeTY} - See comments)

Reference List

Take = R, Fine = F, Reading = R, Cold = C, Gangster = AL(Capone), Husband = H, American = A, School = S, Day = D, Women = W, Name = N, Married = M

No 14707, Tuesday 03 Feb 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 20D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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   Crude barbarian penning naughty poems (8) HOMESPUN {H{POEMS*}UN}

5   Censured batter in ground (6) BLAMED {B{LAM}ED}

10 Fine expert cracking case is humourless (2-5) PO-FACED {PO{F}{ACE}D}

11 Crushes married priest breaking commandments (7) RUMPLES {RU{M}{P}LES}

12 Recollected Omani girl's name (5) NAOMI*

13 Finally, nuclear radiation is lessening (9) REMISSION {n...aR}{EMISSION}

14 Dine after one and pick up model in retro bar instantly (2,1,9) IN A HEARTBEAT {EAT}<=>{1} and {HEAR}{T} in {BAN<=}

18 Problem caused by conservative politician in shaky coalition (12) COMPLICATION {C}{O{MP}LICATION*}

21 Opener rocks, cracking century on primarily rough English wicket (9) CORKSCREW {ROCKS}*{C}{Ro..h}{E}{W}

23 & 4 Conceal instruction to one cleaning room (5,5,3,6) SWEEP UNDER THE CARPET [DD]

24 Border caught by More in Oval (7) ELLIPSE {EL{LIP}SE}

25 Leaders of Russia and USA meeting in the countryside (7) RURALLY {Ru...a}{Usa}{RALLY}

26 One captivated by a tsar's fancy crowns (6) TIARAS {T{1}ARAS*}

27 Dominated by wife sadly - he's miserable (4,4) HELD SWAY {W+SADLY+HE}*

DOWN

1   Promoting extremely hearty girl captivating press (6) HYPING {He..tY}{G} over {PIN}

2   Difficult to catch ultimately slippery fellow? Nonsense! (2,4) MY FOOT {M{s...rY}{F}OOT}

3   Separate at once! Lady is promiscuous (9) SECTIONAL {AT+ONCE+L+IS}*

4   See 23 Across

6   Enthralled by liqueurs on vacation, rogue totters (5) LIMPS {Liqu{IMP}eurS}

7   Lifted rubbish outside bar in Asian country (8) MALDIVES {SLAM<=} over {DIVE}

8   Separate from husband going astray inside hut (8) DISUNITE {INSIDE+hUT}*

9   On the contrary, tiff in bedroom fast turned into an even more unpleasant situation (4,3,2,5) FROM BAD TO WORSE {ROW<=} in {BEDROOM+FAST}*

15 Model excited about extremely remarkable stole (9) TROUSERED {T}{ROUSE{Re...lE}D}

16 Ungainly techies consuming cocaine to become cooler (3,5) ICE CHEST {TECHIES}* over {C}

17 Essentially, mumps and rubella shot provides protection (8) UMBRELLA {muMps+RUBELLA}*

19 Mature maiden for fine chap (6) MELLOW (+m-f)MELLOW

20 Devious snoop enters nimbly (6) ?P?Y?Y (Addendum - SPRYLY {S{PRY}LY} - See comments)

22 Chose piano having a reddish-brown colour (5) SEPIA [T]

Reference List

Fine = F, Married = M, Priest = P, Model = T, Conservative = C, Century = C, English = E, Wicket = W, Wife = W, Girl = G, Fellow = F, Lady = L, Bar = DIVE, Husband = H, Cocaine = C, Maiden = M

No 14706, Monday 02 Feb 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 18A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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 & 6 Frankly, that's how a chemise hangs (8,4,3,8) STRAIGHT FROM THE SHOULDER [DD]

5   Killed around noon in revolt (6) OFFEND {OFFE{N}D}

10 Bolt starts to run in very exciting trial (5) RIVET Acrostic

11 Spice in small, unopened case (9) SEASONING {S}{rEASONING}

12 Release new design on time (9) DISENGAGE {DESIGN}*{AGE}

13 The ones here in rebellious group consuming heroin and ecstasy (5) THESE {SE{H}T<=}{E}

14 Briefly talk about popular aquarium fish (6) DISCUS DISCUSs

15 Distressed by bad truffle (7) FRETFUL*

18 Observes creep going around in lounge without shirt (7) R?G?R?S (Addendum - REGARDS {RE{DRAG<=}St} - See comments)

20 Look at husband beginning to ogle lady in base (6) BEHOLD {BE{H}{Ogle}{L}D}

22 Walk a mile on ground, shortly after gaining pounds (5) AMBLE {A}{M}{B{L}Ed}

24 Pot-bellied lush drinking right after start of ceremony (9) CORPULENT {O{R}PULENT}<=>{Ce...y}

25 Help after receiving storm alert in central part of country (9) HEARTLAND {H{ALERT*}AND}

26 Squad itching to cross channel (5) DITCH [T]

27 Clear on the contrary, need extremely large full-skirted dress (6) DIRNDL {RID<=}{NeeD}{L}

28 Wild romp in pier, awfully inappropriate (8) IMPROPER {ROMP}* in {PIER}*

DOWN

1   Walk in street on outing (6) STRIDE {ST}{RIDE}

2   Crazy about topless beauty - gorgeous (9) RAVISHING {RAV{dISH}ING}

3   Lost credit card on set - my mistake (1,5,9) I STAND CORRECTED*

4   USSR has deployed cavalrymen (7) HUSSARS*

6   See 1 Across

7   Continue going around island on most basic battery-powered two-wheeler (1-4) E-BIKE {E{I}KE} on {Ba...c} (Correction - {BE<=}{I}{KEy})

8   Pursued lady on vacation tenaciously (8) DOGGEDLY {DOGGED}{LadY}

9   Words on envelope in vehicle upset rival (4,2) CARE OF {CAR}{FOE<=}

16 Stumble in front of suite, overwhelmed by strong drinks with darling in retreat (5,4) FALSE STEP {F}{AL{Su..e}ES}{PET<=}

17 Raised couch to catch insect (8) BROACHED {B{ROACH}ED}

19 One getting a little aggressive after cocaine in star's party (6) SOCIAL {1}<.>{C} and {Ag...e}

20 Apathy of revolutionary involved in blast (7) BOREDOM {BO{RED}OM}

21 Extremely elegant songstress, one making an impression (6) ETCHER {El...nT}{CHER}

23 Heard roar for former British PM (5) BLAIR (~blare)

Reference List

Noon = N, Small = S, Heroin = H, Ecstasy = E, Shirt = T, Husband = H, Lady = L, Mile = M, Pounds = L, Right = R, Large = L, Island = I, Strong = F, Cocaine = C

Special, Sunday 01 Feb 2026, Veeyares

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)

Enjoy.

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 41, Sunday 01 Feb 2026, Incognito

ACROSS

8   Crazy about one female employee (4) MAID {MA{1}D}

9   Dress, with love, for actress (5) GARBO {GARB}{O}

10 Setter returns American birds (4) EMUS {ME<=}{US}

11 Bird follows Indian Navy trainee (6) INTERN {TERN}<=>{IN}

12 Find yeti running and recognise (8) IDENTIFY* 

13 Guess site team is confused (8) ESTIMATE* 

15 Insect from centre of apple covered by torn shirt (6) THRIPS {THRI{apPle}S*}

17 Butter spread around tip of pipe in lab equipment (7) BURETTE {BUTTER}* over {pipE}

19 Very active police department returns and captures many going back (7) DYNAMIC {CID<=} over {MANY<=}

22 Shed mad rage after pocketing silver (6) GARAGE {GAR{AG}E*} 

24 Prepare to shoot reel about male bird (8) COCKEREL {COCK}{REEL*}

26 Perfect female having no rules (8) FLAWLESS {F}{LAWLESS}

28 Can't Arjuna bleed to some extent? (6) UNABLE [T]

30 Unrestrained party may be gory (4) ORGY* 

31 What volcanoes may do, shaking Peru at end of night? (5) ERUPT {PERU*}{n..hT}

32 Dash during plane landing (4) ELAN [T]

DOWN

1   Threaten conflict is accompanied by destruction in the end (4) WARN {WAR}{d...oN}

2   Damaged sieve had sticky substance (8) ADHESIVE* 

3   Time at National Defence Academy for things to be considered in meeting (6) AGENDA {AGE}{NDA}

4   Went round old ring leader and sank teeth into Edward (7) ORBITED {O}{Ring}{BIT}{ED}

5   City group of witches attempt (8) COVENTRY {COVEN}{TRY}

6   Superior gambler (6) BETTER [DD]

7   Polish aficionado in the nude (4) BUFF [MD]

14 Puts up a domed hemispherical structure (5) STUPA {PUTS<=}{A}

16 First rate set up (5) PRIME [DD]

18 Moved unsteadily from Peg at beginning of the estate road with editor (8) TEETERED {TEE}{The}{Es...e}{Road}{ED}

20 Means "Asserts about time elapsed from birth" (8) AVERAGES {AVER{AGE}S}

21 Mimes "Cats" (4,3) ACTS OUT {CATS}* [RA]

23 Say, "Law is changed for all times" (6) ALWAYS* 

25 Makes a tally of noblemen (6) COUNTS [DD]

27 Bird nesting in Kolar, Karnataka (4) LARK [T]

29 Guide metal wire (4) LEAD [DD]

Reference List

Female = F, Old = O, Edward = ED, Peg = TEE, Editor = ED