Monday, 9 February 2026

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)

11 comments:

  1. 29 A- LAYER = FILM
    Mother's role = LAYER (like Laying eggs)

    ReplyDelete
  2. 3D- In order- OK
    Sexual inadequacy- Erectile Dysfunction- ED
    Tesla perhaps- EV
    EV OK ED

    ReplyDelete
  3. Usual tough one, but somehow I was able to solve faster today.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Star Wars theme?
    Title of CW? We don't get it in print edition.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks, everyone! Here are my notes for this crossword (contain spoilers).

    Notes

    The theme of this crossword is the epic space opera film series, Star Wars (formed by 14a and 19a). The title of the crossword cryptically refers to the subtitle of the original movie released in 1977, A New Hope (WEAPON EH)*, and its surface reading alludes to the Death Star.

    There are four symmetrically placed ninas: LUKE and JEDI in the fourth row from the top, and SITH and YODA in the fourth row from the bottom. Entries in 1a (FORCE) and 24a (EMPIRE) are also thematic.

    This crossword is a pangram, and, given that the year now is '26, it's also a salgram.

    Personal notes

    Heading over to India again in a few days for my annual tryst with the Mumbai Half Marathon. Hoping to also find some time to code up some new features in Exet (https://exet.app) that I've been thinking about (if only I can find time between inevitable fine-dining binges). Meanwhile, the world, and more specifically U.S.A., my adopted homeland, just continues to out-bonkers itself every single day.

    ReplyDelete
  6. 4d Is it Klue Klux Klan or Ku Klux Klan ??
    I thought the anno was simply "L" follows "K" in alphabetical order.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds reasonable- L following K.

      Delete
    2. Homophone of Ls (followers of Ks) is indeed the annotation. KKK in the *surface reading* is the racist Klan organization.

      Delete

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