No 14747, Saturday 21 Mar 2026, Vidwan

 

Artwork by Prasanna

ACROSS

8 Inflame and captivate royal for good! (6) ENRAGE {EN(-g+R)RAGE}
9 Wheels for hire arranged near cart (4-1-3) RENT-A-CAR*
10 Bond's report (8) RELATION [DD]
11 Rub me! I do soak in blood! (6) IMBRUE*
12 Love to bat in ground net (6) OBTAIN {O}{BAT IN*}
14 Large and small soldiers, compatriots (8) LANDSMEN {L}{AND}{S}{MEN}
15 Slice of French tea, rolls and cheese (4) FETA {French}{TEA*}
17 Gag poor thing with leaves (5) RETCH  {wRETCH}
18 Work on small ebbing form of precipitate (4) SNOW {W}{ON}{S}<
20 Something that starts meal over a beer at times (8) LAUNCHER {L{A}UNCH}{bEeR}
22 Interlocks trenches around a city (6) PLAITS {P{LA}ITS}
24 Most unhinged fellow from Edinburgh, wasting time, painting (6) FRESCO {FREe}{SCOt}

25 Charity programme, say mostly on the broadcast (8) TELETHON {TELl}{ON THE*}
27 Judge in the style of writer, with love for spice (8) JALAPENO {J}{A LA}{PEN}{O}

28 Lady disregarding a new club creature (6) WOMBAT {WOM(-a, -n +BAT)BAT

DOWN

1 Permit fee for a drain (8) ENFEEBLE {EN{-a+FEE)FEEBLE}
2 Father cultivated a yard for a tropical fruit (6) PAPAYA {PAP{A Y*}A}
3 Half of South European spy agency (4) SEMI {S}{E}{MI}
4 Sir, let Tarantino start to render in different script (15) TRANSLITERATION* 
5 English knight features in a junior posting in American Navy (10) ENSIGNSHIP {E}{N}{SIGNS}{HIP}
6 Coaches chasing one and a million metrical feet (8) IAMBUSES {BUSES}<=>{I}{A}{M}
7 World is new and bit anarchic? Sadly true! (6) NATURE {N}{Anarchic}{TRUE*}
13 King or a throne representing a state (5,5) NORTH KOREA {K OR A THRONE}*

16 Main case about loss of hard disk? (8) AMNESIAC* Nice definition!
19 Ordinary friend having one in hundred non-obligatory choice (8) OPTIONAL {O}{P{T{I}ON}AL}
21 Channels of supply from heart of America! Gold with unlimited stash! (6) AORTAS {A}{OR}{sTASh}
23 Allergy syndrome that hampers man's aspirations basically (6) ASTHMA [Acrostic] &LIT
26 Dirty work, replacing a clue! (4) LEWD {LE(-a+W)WD}

REFERENCE LIST

Royal=R, Good=G, Love=0=O, L=Large, Small=S, With=W, Work=W, Judge=J, New=N, Yard=Y, South=S, European=E, English=E, Knight=N, Ordinary=O, One=1=I, America=A, Gold=OR.

No 14746, Friday 20 Mar 2026, Vidwan

Rangoli by Gowri

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

9   A militarist NATO resulting in dictatorship (15) TOTALITARIANISM*

10 House girl used to be hot? Nonsense! (7) HOGWASH {HO}{G}{WAS}{H} House/Ho?

12 Not under current coverage of France, Greece island gets evacuated (3-4) OFF-GRID {OF}{F}{GR}{Is..nD}

13 Assortment of best retreats with religious instruction after rain (9) POTPOURRI {TOP<=} and {RI}<=>{POUR}

14 Mother! Clear the decks! (5) EARTH [T]

15 Bit unusual! Guys coming before time! (7) ODDMENT {ODD}{MEN}{T}

18 Cosy retreats in heavily armed chopper (7) GUNSHIP {SNUG<=}{HIP}

21 Sharp strong beer? Right! (5) ALERT {ALE}{RT} Why 'strong'?

23 Father! Clean Spooner's line carrying vital liquid! (5,4) WATER PIPE (pater wipe to water pipe)

25 Get discouraged as pride crumbles (7)  DESPAIR*

26 Test pile, lacks one for instance (7) EXAMPLE {EXAM}{PiLE}

29 Entertaining team and broken records for those following basics too literally! (15) FUNDAMENTALISTS {FUN}{TEAM+AND}*{LISTS}

DOWN

1   Impress and get without force (4) ETCH fETCH

2   Bachelor's field is endless (4) STAG STAGe

3   Bare cola cocktail for a tuna (8) ALBACORE*

4   Some sweet cherries for one making good impressions! (6) ETCHER [T] Why 'good'?

5   Moody sibling, ignoring cold, writing software (8) BROODING {BRO}{cODING}

6   Draw feminine force in real shapes (6) RAFFLE {RA{F}{F}LE*}

7   Shifted her chair for high priest (8) HIERARCH*

8   Like having thick raised joint at centre of a vessel (8) AMIDSHIP {A{DIM<=}S}{HIP}

11 Form of ordinary emptiness (5) OVOID {O}{VOID}

15 Fitfully switch positions (2,3,3) ON AND OFF [C&DD]

16 Dead urgent! Prince going out for a dip! (8) DRESSING {D}{pRESSING}

17 Stopped advancement of abnormal growth in the delta (8) THWARTED {WART} in {THE}{D}

19 Up early in the day all year, as usual (8) NORMALLY {MORN}*{ALL}{Y}

20 First politician to regularly deal and push (5) IMPEL {1}{MP}{dEaL}

22 The AA regularly talk about something that creates immersive drinking experience (3,3) TEA BAG {ThE}{aA}{GAB<=}

24 Compact essay about Hoover (6) TREATY {TR{EAT}Y}

27 Present state (4) POSE [DD]

28 Some cite as example of simplicity (4) EASE [T]

Reference List

Girl = G, Hot = H, France = F, Greece = GR, Religious Instruction = RI, Time = T, Righ = RT, Force = F, Cold = C, Feminine = F, Thick = DIM, Ordinary = O, Dead = D, Prince = P, Delta = D

No 14745, Thursday 19 Mar 2026, Vidwan

Solution to 15A 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

8   Unveil jersey for professional horse rider (10) SHOWJUMPER {SHOW}{JUMPER}

9   Fail to cut and fall (4) FLOP {F}{LOP}

10 Most splendid, model kind of hair damage (5,3) SPLIT END {SPLENDId+T}*

11 Lifeless and completely overwhelmed by depression after retiring (6) PALLID {ALL} in {DIP<=}

12 A strong hand stretched to gratify (4,4) LONG SUIT {LONG}{SUIT}

15 Solicitor spending time on good turns occasionally to excel (6) O?T?U? (Addendum - OUTGUN {tOUT}{G}{tUrNs} - See comments)

16 Stop or cap it subtly for making chip (6,5) POTATO CRISP*   

22 Kid involved in urban terrorism (6) BANTER [T]

23 Genetics deciphered it? Yes, internally! (8) HEREDITY [T]

26 Make something neat! It's possibly stupidity! (4,2) TIDY UP {TIDY+UP+ITS}*=STUPIDITY

27 Use nice grand solution for upgrading race (8) EUGENICS {USE+NICE+G}*

28 India's first scam superstar (4) ICON {In..a}{CON}

29 Mirth rating possibly for Italian Vermouth (10) EVALUATION  {EVALUATION+MIRTH}* = ITALIAN VERMOUTH

DOWN

1   Juvenile worker's small trip with ruffian, going north (4,3) SHOP BOY {S}{HOP}{YOB<=}

2   Absconding fellow grovelling for shelter (6) AWNING fAWNING

3   Lover welcomes your company (6) BUREAU {B{UR}EAU}

4   Personal article in Europe Daily (2-2) OP-ED [T]

5   Software security flaw is bit about disheartened doctor (4,4) TRAP DOOR {PART<=}{DOctOR}

6   Inspiration for a poet - a loud set from America (8) AFFLATUS {A}{F}{FLAT}{US}

7   Firm and devoted liberal (7) COPIOUS {CO}{PIOUS}

13 Regularly sweat to get established (3) SET {SwEaT]

14 Canine is also half of this! (5) TOOTH {TOO}{THis}

17 Cold, dishonest and isolated (8) OUTLYING {OUT}{LYING}

18 See rapid changes in jet's pace (8) AIRSPEED*

19 Rage, without feminine passion (3) IRE fIRE

20 Gujarat river, essential internally for cassava root product (7) TAPIOCA {TAPI}fOCAl}

21 Boy getting parasite label that clings (5-2) STICK-ON {S{TICK}ON}

24 Fix our suffering (6) RIGOUR {RIG}{OUR}

25 Mark of French-English School on head (6) DENOTE {DE}{ETON<=}

27 Kind of lean style (4) ELAN*

Reference List

Fail = F, Model = T, Time = T, Good = G,  Grand = G, Small = S, Fellow = F, Loud = F, Firm = CO, Feminine = F, Of in French = DE

No 14744, Wednesday 18 Mar 2026, Pixie Dust

Solution to 6D 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   Salt & ice repeatedly consumed... It's divine? (14) ECCLESIASTICAL* Letter Bank

10 Finally Emma, Theo & Roger sight a large vessel (5) AORTA Tail acrostic

11 Spooner's model kin in protective covering (9) NOSEPIECE (~pose niece to nosepiece)

12 Fine in a US state and city (7) OKINAWA {OK}{IN}{A}{WA}

13 Old lady tires out masters (7) MAESTRI {MA}{TIRES*}

14 Curb mob hastily in possession of recalled weapon (1-4) H-BOMB [T<=]

16 Introduce entropies animatedly (9) INTERPOSE*

19 Two young women court lecturer in thermal material (5,4) GLASS WOOL {G}{LASS}{WOO}{L}

20 To some extent glad it's revolutionary and related to current events? (5) TIDAL [T<=]

22 About the endless conflict with Tesla? Awry! (7) ATHWART {A}{THe}{WAR}{T}

25 Exhausted chap Miles, with chapped dirty tumbler (7) GYMNAST {GuY}{M}{NASTy}

27 An "Oval VIP" broadcast referring to the work of a psychologist (9) PAVLOVIAN*

28 As per rumours Miss is unattached (5) LOOSE (~lose) 

29 Does this entitlement programme somehow ease Clod's curiosity? (6,8) SOCIAL SECURITY {SOCIAL+SECURITY+DOES}* = {EASE CLODS CURIOSITY}

DOWN

2   Movies (not English) about Ohio supporting automobile growth (9) CARCINOMA {CINeMA} over {O} under {CAR}

3   Beast and spiritual leader in conversation (5) LLAMA (~lama)

4   Bewildered oarsman in country (3,6) SAN MARINO*

5   Mob cycling around a state in the east (5) ASSAM (-m}ASS(+m) over {A}

6   What a toupee protects is off the record! (3-6) T?P-?E?R?T  (Addendum - TOP-SECRET [C&DD] - See comments)

7   Comb caught by others (5) CREST {C}{REST}

8   General we hear, fixed a dangerous marine condition (3,4) LEE TIDE {LEE}{(~tied)TIDE}

9   Boot from every third magical elmwood? Sigh! (6) GALOSH {maGicAl+eLmwOod+SigH}

15 Supervisor with a heavenly body in a Brazilian dance (5,4) BOSSA NOVA {BOSS}{A}{NOVA}

17 Emerging adult assumes stage is created basically for one well suited to be on screen (9) TELEGENIC {TE{LEG}EN}{Is}{Cr...d}

18 Radical amount? (3,3,3) ODD MAN OUT {AMOUNT}* [RA]

19 Reprimand visiting grand parents for alcoholic drinks (7) GRAPPAS {G}{RAP}{PAS}

21 Panic inside flat he renovated (6) LATHER [T]

23 Leaders having a vacation over Christmas in confusion (5) HAVOC Acrostic

24 Rides in slips (5) TRIPS [DD]

26 Grinder just switched sides (5) MOLAR MO(+l-r)LA(-l+r)R

Reference List

Young woman = G,LASS< Lecturer = L, Tesla = T, Miles = M, English = E, Caught = C, Grand = G

No 14743, Tuesday 17 Mar 2026, Pixie Dust

Have an early morning drive, so leaving the CW for the regulars. Will update the post later in the evening.

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)

ACROSS

1   Diplomatic organisation's mainly political acknowledgement, brief & empty (6) UNPACK {UN}{Po...l}{ACK}

5   Gossip about satisfactory sex, (ultimate fantasy!) and celibacy (8) CHASTITY {CHA{S}T}{IT}{f...sY}  

9   Reverend's not pleased at first, to admit Switzerland's sailing vessel (8) SCHOONER {SpOONER} over {CH}

10 Picked up rows, few and far between (6) SPARSE (~spars)

11 Imperious dad in Paris, meets conservative member of parliament going ahead (10) PEREMPTORY {PERE}{TORY}<=>{MP}

12 Yes, cycled around park, See! (4) ESPY {(+y)YES(+y)Y} over {P}

13 My one emergency fund? (3,5) MAD MONEY {MY+ONE}* [RA]

16 Finally locked abusive chef, without official delay, skilfully (6) DEFTLY Tail Acrotic

17 Try solid, clipped font (6) GOTHIC {GO}{THICk}

19 Pipes too can be different (8) OPPOSITE*

21 Grave stand to begin with, bishop is extremely righteous? (4) BIER Acrostic

22 Busybody's late - frequently picked on? (10) TATTLETALE Letterbank

25 Analyse speed of light and unit of distance (6) PARSEC {PARSE}{C}

26 Sea captain spends energy and prime resources for a tall pole that supports the sails (8) MAINMAST {MAIN}{MASTer}

27 On vacation referee is back with double net (8) RESIDUAL {Re...rE}{IS<=}{DUAL}

28 Tempestuous stud smuggles gold for members of a royal family (6) TUDORS {STUD}* over {OR}

DOWN

2   Mother of Pearl, adventurer (Canadian) carried from the south (5) NACRE [T<=]

3   Make up for amateur kicking small rock (5) ATONE {A}{sTONE}

4   Spooner orders: "Call Uncle Boss!" (7) KINGPIN (~ping kin to kingpin)

5   Swear endlessly or begin to yell, it's unmindful (7) CURSORY {CURSe}{OR}{Yell}

6   Surveyed a small state, extremely excluded (7) ASSAYED {A}{S}{SAY}{Ex...eD}

7   Sad effort deployed to reach some kind of compromises (5-4) TRADE-OFFS*

8   Should this flier indiscriminately hold up stilettos? (4,5) TEST PILOT {TEST+PILOT+SHOULD}*=HOLD UP STILETTOS [CA]

14 A magic toe developed these days? (6,3) ATOMIC AGE*

15 Overly theatrical actor upset with a former Prime Minister's mentor (9) MAHARISHI {HAM<=}{A}{RISHI}

18 Loosely cut each food additive (7) CATECHU 

19 Perfect gem capturing endless era (7) OPTIMAL {OP{TIMe}AL}

20 Principal mistakenly protects one who works hand-in-hand with customer (7) PALMIST [T]

23 Modest statement:"I'm idealistic to a large extent (5) TIMID [T]

24 Underdog's not the first person wrapping up deal successfully (5) LOSER cLOSER

Reference List

Satisfactory = S, Sex = IT, Switzerland = CH, Dad in French = PERE, Conservative = TORY, Park = P, Speed of light = C, Energy = E, Gold = OR, Amateur = A, Small = S

No 14742, Monday 16 Mar 2026, Saral

Solution to 14A 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   Crowded square got hotter (7) SWARMED {S}{WARMED}

8   Entry of a tax including charges primarily (6) ACCESS {A}{CESS} over {Ch...s}

9   Girl disheartened by long problem (6) GLITCH {GirL}{ITCH}

10 Playing shloka, initially bhajan at house (3,5) LOK SABHA {SHLOKA}*{Bh...n}{At}

11 Gangster controlling English reporters (international) in valley (10) DEPRESSION {D{E}{PRESS}{I}ON} 

13 Repaired sherwani, every now and then (4) SEWN {ShErWaNi}

14 Nearly squeeze large plant (4) ?I?L (Addendum - MILL {MILk}{L} - See comments)

16 Almost escape running in gap (5) SPACE ESCAPe*

18 Team leaders from several industrial departments enter (4) SIDE Acrostic

19 Shortly examine stable (4) STUD STUDy

21 Native sailor fixing an oil rig (10) ABORIGINAL {AB}{AN+OIL+RIG}

23 Fellow least bothered about one Victor in party (8) FESTIVAL {F}{EST{1}{V}AL*}

25 Creating new image for riddle (6) ENIGMA {N+IMAGE}*

26 Leave power grabbing society (6) RESIGN {RE{S}IGN}

27 Golden brown durians at first in fruit garden (7) ORCHARD {OR}{CHAR}{Du...n}

DOWN

1   Finished a type of exam relating to rural life (8) PASTORAL {PAST}{ORAL}

2   Stress from mishaps sadly after drug (8) EMPHASIS {MISHAPS}*<=>{E}

3   Heroine is dancing only lambada from the beginning (4) IDOL Acrostic

4   Knocked over container, spilling ink? Getting towel (6) NAPKIN {PAN<=}{INK*}

5   Drops fights (6) SCRAPS [DD]

6   Avoided shredded cheese with salad in the end (8) ESCHEWED {CHEESE+W}}*{s..aD}

7   Perhaps loves to answer (5) SOLVE*

12 Harry hid a ring in this place (5) IDAHO {HID+A}*{O}

15 Banks essentially tried badly to catch that man owing money (2,3,3) IN THE RED {baNks+TRIED}* over {HE}

17 Height of wall not fine outside pit (8) EMINENCE {fE{MINE}NCE}

18 Mark covering object below one master's weapon (8) SCIMITAR {SCAR} over {IT}<=>{1}{M}

20 Check and tie roughly (6) DETAIN*

21 Arrival of a director before opening (6) ADVENT {A}{D}{VENT}

22 Targeted media by mistake (5) AIMED*

24 John finally left stolen goods (4) LOOT {LOO}{lefT}

Reference List

Square = S, English = E, Large = l, Sailor = AB, Fellow = F, Victor = V, New = N, Society = S, Drug = E, With = W, Master = M, Director = D, John = LOO

Special, Sunday 15 Mar 2026, IIT (M) Open Prelim, Ramki Krishnan

Three answers per commenter till 6 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 47, Sunday 15 Mar 2026, aFTERDARK

Three answers per commenter till 4 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)

ACROSS

1   Strangely pa's upset with publication layout designs (5-3) PASTE-UPS*

5   Tailors lack substance, cuff's right inside garment (1-5) T-SHIRT {Ta...rS}{HI{R}T}

10 Speak with one heartless deserter to board (5) ORATE {On{RAT}E}

11 Demented libeler on revolt (9) REBELLION {LIBELER}*{ON}

12 Put parsley on the sides, look at adding some dill as spice (5,4) POPPY SEED {POP}{Pa...eY}{SEE}{Dill}

13 Doctor in Colorado has mega storage device (2-3) CD-ROM {CO}{DR}{M}

14 Motto of rowdy? Burgle first in chaos (6) BYWORD {ROWDY+Bu...e}*

15 Mythical character appearing in 'Prometheus and Manes' (7) SANDMAN [T]

18 Judge collecting return gift from shed (7) RADIATE {RA{AID<=}TE}

20 Vain lady pursues guy possessing intelligence as a rule (6) MAINLY {LadY}<=>{MA{I}N}

22 Knight offers help to trap a water nymph (5) NAIAD {N}{AI{A}D}

24 Say, buttercup's ordeal with headache overcomes enthusiasm at the beginning (9) HELLEBORE {HELL}{BORE} over {En...m} Buttercup's are not Hellebore's

25 Impenitent Usha steals new alto at Maine and departs (9) UNASHAMED {U{N}ASH*}{A}{ME}{D} Anind for USHA?

26 Show gratitude to Chinese in deserted Tabuk (5) THANK {Tab{HAN}uK}

27 Stories cover a new leader's protests (3-3) LIE-INS {LIE{1}{New}S}

28 English politician's new year party was heavenly (8) EMPYREAN {E}{MP}{N+YEAR}* Party as Anind?

DOWN

1   Application software consumes memory quick (6) PROMPT {P{ROM}PT}

2   Alert son dismissed students, yelled angrily snatching instrument (5-4) SHARP-EYED {S}{YEllED*} over {HARP}

3   Often Newton and Hayden collaborate to master short version (5,3,3,4) EVERY NOW AND THEN {NEWTON+HAYDEN}* over {VER}

4   Threaten Aden perhaps to dismiss the leader and disfigure (7) PORTEND {PORT}{bEND}

6   Second felon lifted candy at regular intervals covertly and with aplomb (4-11) SELF-CONFIDENTLY {S}{FELON+LIFTED+CaNdY}*

7   As per sources, Indian climate interchanges erratically, result is getting colder (5) ICIER Acrostic

8   10 people surround Earl's Tesla at apartment (8) TENEMENT {TEN}{E}{MEN}{T}

9   Sailor's poem on habitats (6) ABODES {ABS} over {ODE}

16 Hector tore email and set right (9) MELIORATE*

17 Calm & composed ritual with participation of hungry queen (8) TRANQUIL {RITUAL+QueeN}*

19 Eastern axis joins INC founder to resurrect (6) EXHUME {E}{X}{HUME} 

20 Mother-in-law with first lady and mother forms a barrier (7) MILLDAM {MIL}{Lady}{DAM}

21 Summon British national smuggling cut coke (6) BECKON {B}{COKE*}{N}

23 Idiotic leaders of India neither agree, nor engage (5) INANE Acrostic

Reference List

Cuff = HIT, Right = R, Deserter = RAT, Mega = M, Intelligence = I, Knight = N, New = N, Alto = A, Departs = D, Chinese = HAN, English = E, Son = S, Student = L, Second = S, Earl = E, Tesla = T, Sailor = AB, Eastern = E, Axi = X, Mother = DAM, British = B, National = N

No 14741, Saturday 14 Mar 2026, Karaoke

 ACROSS
1 One who found words like racecar is friend in need finally getting essential aid in violent storm (12) PALINDROMIST {PAL}{IN}{neeD}{{aId} in {STORM*}} DBE: Racecar is a palindrome
9 Almost long-headed animal (5) SHREW {SHREWd}

10 Eats crows at sea in the most negative circumstances (5-4) WORST-CASE*
11 Triumph over cheating queen, earl and king (7) CONQUER {CON}{QU}{E}{R}
12 Deteriorate with age, in essence perhaps (7) SENESCE*
13 Setter on spot takes interest to fight for television (5,3) IDIOT BOX {I}{D{I}OT}{BOX}
14 Herbal treatment without tablets essentially in clinic for users (5) REHAB {HERBAl}*
18 Big boy chopping heads in compound (5) ALLOY {tALL bOY}
20 Top champion after consuming heroin creates nuisance (8) HEADACHE {HEAD}{AC{H}E}
24 It disperses crowds taking drink at programs regularly (4,3) TEARGAS {TEA}{pRoGrAmS}
26 Foreign figure hires assassin finally for shooting (7) GUNFIRE {FIGURE}* over {assassiN}
27 Female enthralled by funny swimmer (9) CLOWNFISH {CLOWN{F}ISH}

28 Drink right on your toes (5) ALERT {ALE}{RT}
29 Gluey door for a difficult situation to face (6,6) STICKY WICKET {STICKY}{WICKET}

DOWN
1 Everlasting toll includes interior upgrade (9) PERENNIAL {PEAL} over {INNER<}
2 Spooner set eyes on stolen money in case (7) LAWSUIT {Spoonerism of SAW LOOT}
3 Place for briefing latest or most abrupt development (8) NEWSROOM {NEW}{OR MOSt*}
4 Most unusual nail, right on top (6) RAREST {+R}{AR(-r)EST} Nail=Arrest with one of the Rs moving to top.
5 Maybe any time performance finally? Yes, no. Only daytime show (7) MATINEE {ANy TIME}*{performancE}
6 Breaks handcuffs (5) SNAPS [DD]
7 Breathe loudly and punch audibly, that's type of bid in bridge (7) PSYCHIC {~ SIGH KICK}
8 Frenzy in function, lady boycotting bar (5) FEVER {F}{lEVER}
15 He draws plans in theocratic school sacrificing love (9) ARCHITECT {THEoCRATIC}*
16 The discipline that ensures family's happiness if he's gun perhaps (4,4) FENG SHUI*
17 Maybe cardinal's flat is in dirty place (7) SEVENTY {EVEN} in {STY}
19 Chemical-free cigar mostly not going up in smoke (7) ORGANIC {CIGAR NOt}*
21 Soldiers cycling in mysterious state (7) DENMARK {(-m)EN(+M)} in {DARK}

22 Model wearing belt in store (5) STOCK {S{T}OCK}
23 Become rigid, very upsetting sort, largely yes (6) OSSIFY {SO<}{SIFt}{Y}
25 Stop blood primarily going into arterial vessel abruptly (5) ABORT {Blood} in {AORTa}

REFERENCE LIST

Queen=Qu, Earl=E, King=R (Rex), Setter=I, Interest=I, Heroin=H, Female=F, Right=Rt, R, Yes=Y, Function=F, Lady=L, Love=0=O, Model=T.

No 14740, Friday 13 Mar 2026, Gussalufz

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.

SIX FOR DRAVID

ACROSS

9   Rouse a crowd, say, with: "Let ICE fry in hell!" (9) ELECTRIFY*

10 Fool's confession? Gather together (5) AMASS {AM ASS}

11 Delegates declined drinks (had food) in retreat (7) DETAILS {SLI{ATE}D}<=

12 Terribly despicable (not "possibly bad"!) alignment with dark consequences (7) ECLIPSE {dESPICabLE}*

13 Gathering in old city? No parking (5) EKING pEKING

14 Super sale blowout delights (9) PLEASURES*

16 A characteristic of a mole: rams above-ground building (9,6) AVOGADROS NUMBER*

19 Setter's sixth sense rejected eating noodles with Dr. X, perhaps (9) PSEUDONYM {MY}{ESP}<= over {UDON} 

22 Make a hash of blowing new horn (5) BUGLE BUnGLE

24 Slice of tasteless ham? Poor free offering in hotel (7) SHAMPOO [T]

26 Still harbouring a touch of resentment or done? (7) THROUGH {TH{Re...t}OUGH}

27 Short story about something deadly and gripping (5) TALON {TALe}{ON}

28 Advocate uncle's case follows "good lie" going awry (9) IDEOLOGUE {UnclE}<=>{GOOD+LIE}*

DOWN

1   Getting upset, some held demonstrations to interfere (6) MEDDLE [T<=]

2   Regularly seen once, Guntur lion now is a very fast and hard-to-find traveller (8) NEUTRINO {oNcE+gUnTuR+lIoN+nOw}

3   Performers bring cycles into rack (6,4) STRING BAND {ST{(-b)RING(+b)B}AND}

4   Raises price of second-rate, extremely insipid drink (4,2) BIDS UP {B}{In...iD}{SUP}

5   Prepares to print test (yes, after repairs), inserting page (8) TYPESETS {TEST+YES}* over {P}

6   Separation: wife gets everything (4) WALL {W}{ALL}

7   Hack: become thinner consuming minimally, essentially (6) TAMPER {TA{m..iMa..Y}PER}

8   Judge a rose, looking at sections repeatedly (8) ASSESSOR [Letterbank]

15 Unpleasant smell under butt, right? Only after scratching opening in a persistent manner (10) STUBBORNLY {BO}<=>{STUB} and {R}{oNLY}

16 A very quiet old place is suitable (8) APPOSITE {A}{PP}{O}{SITE}

17 Arup, inform Gita: "Exposed, try to escape!" (3,3,2) RUN FOR IT {aRUp}{iNFORm}{gITa}

18 Have hard feelings about buggy debugger (8) BEGRUDGE*

20 When a blessing carries sanction (6) ENABLE [T]

21 Parent of insect queen (6) MOTHER [DD]

23 Repeats start of exercise routines without resistance (6) ECHOES {Ex...e}{CHOrES}

25 Colour of Pandya's first tattoo (4) PINK {Pa...a}{INK}

Reference List

Parking = P, New = N, About = ON, Second-rate = B, Page = P, Wife = W, Unpleasant smell = BO(Body odour), Right = R, Very quiet = PP, Old = O, Resistance = R

No 14739, Thursday 12 Mar 2026, Avtaar

Solution to ??? 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   Thinking about article on origin of Kazakh people (7) MANKIND {M{AN}{Ka...k}IND}

5   Scrap union's rule amidst return of Oriental pandemic disease (7) DIVORCE {E}C{R}OVID}<=

9   Building in college to preserve antique receptacle for clothing (7) HOLDALL {H{OLD}ALL}

10 Consumer of weekend US erotica (3-4) END-USER [T]

11 Tory who's in a soup bungling request for guest's preference (5,4,6) WHATS YOUR POISON*

12 Fish cake and light soups regularly kept out on the counter (5) SUSHI {lIgHt+SoUpS}<=

14 Bigwig with suit catching international flight (9) STAIRCASE {STA{I}R}{CASE}

16 Agave fibre from Lemhi Pass in a pickle (5,4) SISAL HEMP*

18 Country, say, Vespucci summarised incompletely in review (5) MUSIC [T<=]

21 Grand Ormolu that stands for path of integrity? (4,5,6) HIGH MORAL GROUND  {GRAND ORMOLU}* [RA]

24 Popular drug smuggled in fleece for Brit in South Africa (7) ROOINEK {ROO{IN}{E}K}

25 Flat surface at the end of empty abyss is rocking (7) ASTABLE {TABLE}<=>{AbysS}

26 Provided drink after unwrapping wine (7) OFFERED {cOFFEe}{RED}

27 Holding rings for miniature speakers, they play the horn (7) TOOTERS T(+oo-wee)OOTERS

DOWN

1   Old-time New Yorkers' way of working with birds (7) MOHAWKS {MO}{HAWKS}

2   One in the middle of Elgar cryptic "Face of Somalian antelopes" (7) NILGAIS {1+IN+eLGAr}*{So...n}

3   Yes, mam instinctively recalled entertaining religious scholars (5) IMAMS [T<=]

4   Boy climbing atop villa overlooking one Himalayan town (9) DALHOUSIE {LAD<=}{HOUS{1}E}

5   Love holding king down (5) DREAR {D{R}EAR}

6   Affair involving Earl featured in 6-G hit film (5-4) VIDEO-GRAM {D{E}O} in {VI}{G} and {RAM}

7   Ship arose eerily outside the Last Ocean (4,3) ROSS SEA {SS} in {AROSE}* Can a sea be called an ocean?

8   Order first item from rose new incense boxes (7) ENRANGE {ENRA{New}GE} - Confirmed by Avtaar. ROSE being changed to NEW in the online version.

13 Person lighting weak explosive drilling under hollow (9) ILLUMINER {ILL}{Und{MINE}eR}

15 One taking fight to the next round? (9) APPELLANT [CD]

16 Tips from Slavic star introducing piece of zippy, fast music (7) SCHERZO {Sl..iC}{HER{Zi..y}O}

17 Stop working of fins moving around cap in generator (4,3) SIGN OFF {OF+FINS}* over {Ge...r}

19 Fall way behind after cycling ends in awful failure (7) STUMBLE (+s)STUMBLE(-s) Not sure of Anno

20 Beggars start to dance in prison with discharged rangers (7) CADGERS {CA{Da..e}GE}{Ra..eS}

22 Searched thoroughly, runs with nude shedding top (5) RAKED {R}{nAKED}

23 Old brown liquor lacking pressure sent up (5) RETRO pORTER<=

Reference List

Rule = R, Oriental = E, International = I, Popular = IN, Drug = E, Way of working = MO(Modus Operandi), King = R, Affair = DO, Earl = E, Ship = SS, Runs = R, Pressure = P