No 14799, Thursday 21 May 2026, Gussalufz

Solution to 7D 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.

BY GEORGE!

ACROSS

1   European in hurry, cycling for show (5) USHER {E} in {(-r)USH(+r)R}

4   Supported revolutionary Polish pacifist, right? (5,4) TIDED OVER {EDIT<=}{DOVE}{R}

9   West Indian player's style: play flamboyantly well, chasing century (7) CALYPSO {PLAY*}{SO}<=>{C}

10 Chest scratched on both sides? Characteristic of fretfulness (7) COFFRET [T]

11 Man, perhaps I'm boring, overly fussy (6) ANIMAL {AN{IM}AL}

12 Stick slice of orange in bread—pastry! (8) NAPOLEON {NA{POLE}{Or...e}N

14 Gluttons slurp revoltingly, guzzling gallons (4) PIGS {S{G}IP<=}

15 Worried if flu U-turn is something not likely to yield (10) UNFRUITFUL*

18 With constraints dropped, Agent-I lessened courteous behaviour (10) GENTILESSE [T] Not exactly constraints that are dropped?

19 Till supply ends / first of February (4) FARM {ARM}<=>{Fe...y}

22 Unethical lab won; safeguards partially retracted? Swell! (8) SNOWBALL [T<=]

24 Popcorn ABC? (6) CARBON {CORN+AB}*

26 Firm absurdly leaden, time to intervene (2,5) AL DENTE {LEADEN}* over {T}

27 Exciting undergarment and new shirt, after six (7) VIBRANT {BRA}{N}{T}<=>{VI}

28 Deodorise extravagantly around centre of navel, conceding, "I used too much" (9) OVERDOSED {DEODORiSE}* over {naVel}

29 Dog//fighter? (5) BOXER [DD]

DOWN

1   Release snake under bulk of relative (7) UNCLASP {ASP}<=>{UNCLe}

2   Continuing with unfinished holy dip? No, god no! (7,2) HOLDING ON {HOLy}{DIp}{No}{GOd}{No}

3   Withdraw and go authentic, says Rev. Spooner (6) REPEAL (~pee real to repeal)

4   Excessively large organ (4) TOOL {TOO}{L}

5   A tense detective from the south: "Lock this tyrant!" (10) DICTATRESS {A}{T}{CID}<={TRESS}

6   Flower's top decomposed one day after coming up (8) DAFFODIL {LID}{OFF}{A}{D}<=

7   Very complete bar, special spirit (5) V?R?E ()

8   It's about parts of kidneys, about part of eye (7) RETINAL {RE{IT<=}NAL}

13 Being not OK with news—sullen, distressed (10) UNWELLNESS*

16 Female hit lovers with torches (9) FLAMBEAUX {F}{LAM}{BEAUX}

17 Stripped and dressed bird, including part of skeleton (8) RIBBONED {RIB{BONE}D*}

18 Bad cops with backing? Nothing touches, say! (7) GESTAPO {O}{PATS}{EG}<=

20 Brute force unleashed by Mrs., often randomly (7) MONSTER {MRS+OfTEN}*

21 Tree regularly seen by a tomb, maybe (6) BAOBAB {By+A+tOmB+mAyBe}

23 Love left to wither, that's nothing new (5) OLDIE {O}{L}{DIE}

25 A film that's intense (4) AVID {A}{VID}

Reference List

European = E, Right = R, Well = SO, Century = C, Gallons = G, Time = T, New = N, Shirt = T, Large = L, Tense = T, Lock = TRESS, Day = D, Female = F, Force = F, Left = L

No 14798, Wednesday 20 May 2026, Gussalufz

Solution to 28A 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.

FIVE FIRSTS

ACROSS

1   I.A.S.-mess-rejected paneer is cooked for groom (5) PREEN {PaNEER+is}*

4   Think, essentially during rehabilitating, dad's peer lost hope (9) DESPAIRED {thInk}* in {DADS+PEER}*

9   Therefore, time to get into fried roti and rice dish (7) RISOTTO {SO}{T} in {ROTI}*

10 I caught hint of lightheartedness in tear-jerking piece (7) ARTICLE {ART{I}{C}{Li...s}E*}

11 "Am like this" statement of kinky person's sex life (4-10) SELF-EXPRESSION {PERSONS+SEX+LIFE}* {PERSONS+SEX+LIFE}*

12 Has secretly grown stronger (4) OWNS [T]

13 Internal communication terminals? Never send shocking letters (5,4) NERVE ENDS*

17 Brought balance to English squad? Lie, unfortunately (9) EQUALISED {E}{SQUAD+LIE}*

19 So savage, revolting! (4) ERGO<=

22 Typical daily routine, retired father's habit (14) CHARACTERISTIC {CHAR}{ACT}{SIRE<=}{TIC}

25 Muslim League Dr. regularly rejected separation theory? (7) DUALISM {MuSlIm+LeAgUe+Dr}<=

26 Call mum, son's misbehaving (7) SUMMONS*

27 Thought Tendulkar initially did umpiring all around (9) MEDITATED {MEDI{Te...r}ATED}

28 Jam? Badgers not sure (5) P?E?S (Addendum - PRESS PRESsureS - See comments)

DOWN

1   Whisper: "Is cop ethically carrying navy instrument?" (9) PERISCOPE [T]

2   Greek character cycled solo, drinking sip after exercising (7) EPSILON {(+e)ELON(-e)} over {SIP}*

3   Tune cocktail, adding minute bit of ground spice (6) NUTMEG {TUNE}* over {M} and {Gr...d}

4   Dung drips, pong spreads (9) DROPPINGS*

5   Film mount (5) SCALE [DD]

6   Cadet, set target somewhat westward; confirmed? (8) ATTESTED [T<=]

7   Nocturnal creature gallivanting on a croc (7) RACCOON*

8   Outstanding tenor song (4) DUET {DUE}{T}

14 Put right colour on unfinished sweet after flipping (9) REDRESSED {RED}{DESSERt<=}

15 Arrays of small pipes constraining toilet area (9) SHOWCASES {S}{HO{WC}{A}SES}

16 Philanthrope, gangster, one inspired by faith (8) ALTRUIST {AL}{TRU{1}ST}

18 Never listened to you (reportedly) and her frolicking (7) UNHEARD {(~you)U)(AND+HER}*

20 Fury wife unleashed on staff, blowing top for dirty room (7) RATHOLE {wRATH}{pOLE}

21 Stabilise tree stump, cutting 40% off (4,2) FIRM UP {FIR}{stUMP}*

23 Around peak of Olympus, encountered heavenly sight (5) COMET {C}{Ol...s}{MET}

24 Feature gains depth deleting tense reference entry (4) IDEM I(+d-t)DEM

Reference List

Time = T, English = E, Minute = M, Tenor = T, Small = S, Toilet = WC, Area = A, Gangster = AL(Capone), Wife = W, Around = C, Depth = D, Tense = T

No 14797, Tuesday 19 May 2026, Avtaar

Solution to 1D 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   Almost relaxed about conducting children's drill (6) SCHOOL {LOOSe<=} over {CH}

4   Recurrent mistake inhibiting No.1 in Open American championship (8) ESPOUSAL {LAPSE<=} over {Open}{US}

9   Delivery of the French whiskeys reduced by 50% (6) LABOUR {LA}{BOURbons}

10 Non-combatant John defending criminal vilified after disappearance of female editor (8) CIVILIAN {CAN} over {VILIfIed}

11 Following mushy, thick paella Avtaar will calm down (4,1,5,4) TAKE A CHILL PILL {THICK+PAELLA}*{I'LL}

13 Savoury can be chosen after starter for dinner (10) DELECTABLE {ELECTABLE}<=>{Di...r}

14 Ebbing river that is close to Warsaw Embankment (4) WEIR {R}{IE}{w...aW}<=

16 Show rear end of catheter removed from ass (4) MOON MOrON

18 Menacing coach upset by stragglers, finally isolated places for late-comers? (10) GRAVEYARDS {GRAVE}{DRAY<=}{s...rS}

21 Chemical from mobile charging distorted resolution (14) NITROCELLULOSE {NITRO{CELL}ULOSE*}

23 Male model exposed retrograde tendency to play favourites (8) NEPOTISM {M}{SIT}{OPEN}<=

24 Round table made flat on both sides (6) OBLATE {O}{TABLE}*

25 Confirming result briefly on phone (8) ENSURING {ENSUe}{RING}

26 Afternoon school's principal visiting faculty nowhere to be seen (6) ABSENT {A}{B{Sc...l}ENT}

DOWN

1   Deposit left in knife dropped down (4) S?L? (Addendum - SILT S(-l)I(+l)LT - See comments)

2   Spike in upwardly mobile Mongolian Bohemians (7) HOBNAIL [T<=]

3   Old coins from Britain embodying earliest signs of unusually lavish luxury (8) OPULENCE {O}{P{Un...y}{La...h}ENCE}

5   Bent lever is lit to control pressure in instrument (6,5) SPIRIT LEVEL {LEVER+IS+LIT}* over {P}

6   Flyer to Rio leaving borders (6) ORIOLE [T]

7   Party embracing the essence of quick unaided execution (7) SUICIDE {S{qUICk}IDE}

8   Hosts in stadium having come cycling (9) LANDLORDS {L{(-l)AND(+l)L}ORDS}

12 President Brown visited by leader in Idaho introducing a boy (11) CHAIRPERSON {CHA{Id..o}R}{PER}{SON}

13 Work out ending in Korean cinema about absolute authority (9) DOMINANCE {DO}{k...aN+CINEMA}*

15 Shortened course before spot of baked dessert (8) SYLLABUB {SYLLABUs}{Ba..d}

17 Amidst work, actor uncovered organisation with extensive network (7) OCTOPUS {O{aCTOr}PUS}

19 Model again exercising. perhaps with energy, letting pressure off (7) RESHAPE {pERHAPS}*{E}

20 Siren's topless photograph linked to her missing husband (6) HOOTER {sHOOT}{hER}

22 Do without cocaine for semifinal run, say (4) HEAT cHEAT

Reference List

Children = CH, The in French = LA, John = CAN, Female = F, Editor = ED, River = R, Male = M, Afternoon = A, Old = O, Coins from Britain = PENCE, Pressure = P, Energy = E, Husband = H, Cocaine = C

No 14796, Monday 18 May 2026, Bruno

Solution to 12A 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   Special ceremony for fairy (6) SPRITE {SP}{RITE}

4   Documents show public school circumventing copyright? (6) PAPERS {P}{APE}{R}{S}

8   Sear easily on burning range (7) EARSHOT {SEAR}*{HOT}

9   They're gutted when taken in by nurse provider (7) CATERER {CA{Th..rE}RER}

11 Try putting it back on head for warmth (10) HEARTINESS {HEAR}{IT<=}{NESS}

12 Card so far held back shows clover, in the end (4) T?E? (Addendum - TREY {YE{c...eR}T<=} - See comments)

13 Often suppressing secret need for drama (5) SCENE {SeCrEt+NeEd}

14 North African King, starting to convulse, is returned to infirmary (8) SICKROOM {MOOR}{K}{Co...e}{IS}<=

16 Musical composition of devotee starting to thrill continent (8) FANTASIA {FAN}{Th...l}{ASIA}

18 Antarctica's western end: area surrounded by water, you could walk down one (5) AISLE {a...cA}{ISLE}

20 Green part of body that's got teeth (4) GEAR {G}{EAR}

21 Make defensive walls of credit European banks and the Spanish get behind (10) CRENELLATE {CR}{Eu...aN}{EL}{LATE}

23 Injured in the back, hobbling around intensive care, returning often? (7) DECIMAL {LAM{IC}ED}<=

24 One that argues to forbid boxing then intermittently leaving (7) DEBATER {DEBA{ThEn}R}

25 Tension as IT tried regularly to get SAAS contents released (6) STRESS {aS+iT+tRiEd}{SaaS}

26 Avenues not very new, causing anxiety (6) UNEASE AvEnUES*

DOWN

1   Source of oil is old, getting hard as time passes (5) SHALE S(-t+h)HALE

2   Book on verse's translated (7) RESERVE {RE}{VERSE*}

3   Rats without front teeth in shed shooting up empty rafters (3-6) TWO-TIMERS {WO}{Te..h} in {EMIT<=}{Ra...rS}

5   Group from North-Eastern state cycling (5) AMASS (+am)AMASS(-am)

6   Citizen peeled carrot, celery on the counter (7) ELECTOR [T<=]

7   Dock worker's girl walked in, strode out (9) STEVEDORE {EVE} in {STRODE}*

10 Perhaps when hot husband's out traveling, it can become a daily issue (9) NEWSPAPER {PERhAPS+WhEN<=}

13 Quiet amateur at gym - smaller and lacking form (9) SHAPELESS {SH}{A}{PE}{LESS}

15 Drink and fruit containing seeds essentially for lizard (9) CHAMELEON {CHA}{MEL{seEds}ON}

17 Dog's not very energetic at first retriever, maybe? (7) TERRIER RETRIEveR*

19 Noblewoman from America's uppity articles about Lithuania (7) SULTANA {US<=}{AN}{A} over {LT}

21 Boorish and angry orator's starting to be kicked out by head of administration (5) CRASS CR(-o+a)ASS

22 Setter supports article's topic (5) THEME {ME}<=>{THE}

Reference List

Special = SP, Public = P, School = S, Copy = APE, Right = R, King = K, Green = G, Credit = CR, The in Spanish = EL, Intensive care = IC, Very = V, New = N, Hard= H, Time = T, On = RE, Without = WO, Girl = EVE, Hot = H, Husband = H, Quiet = SH 

Special, Sunday 17 May 2026, Veeyares

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 56, Sunday 17 May 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)

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

ACROSS

9   MGR and Manjula screened a relative (7) GRANDMA [T]

10 One article about sanction of sportsperson (7) ATHLETE {A}{TH{LET}E}

11 Work in out-patient and emergency room's threatening essentially (7) OPERATE {OP}{ER}{t..eATEn..g}

12 Imaginary line almost unchanging touching a hill (7) EQUATOR {EQUAl}{A}{TOR}

13 Evaluated dates & time roughly (9) ESTIMATED*

15 Man should earn name, bit of conviction and fame ultimately therefore (5) HENCE {HE}{N}{Co...n}{famE}

16 Removed unwanted stuff of bent conservative moving ahead (7) CLEANED {LEANED}<=>{C}

19 Think right. Change course if leader is absent (7) REFLECT {R}{dEFLECT}

20 Between Angstrom and Gauss, first Maxwell, Ohm and Newton interfere (5) AMONG {A}{G} over {Ma...l}{Ohm}{N}

21 Somehow rein lust; good for ending (9) RESULTING {REIN+LUST+G}*

25 Small present, guy gets an anthropomorphic sculpture (7) SNOWMAN {S}{NOW}{MAN}

26 Animal has corona, affected by canine bite (7) RACCOON {CORONA}* over {Ca...e}

28 One day, at close son brought comrades (7) FRIENDS {FRI}{END}{S}

29 Golden dish displaced at Deccan, say (7) PLATEAU {AU}<=>{PLATE}

DOWN

1   Reign or embarrassment, hiding neglect (6) IGNORE [T]

2   Did not own, not in the borders (6) HAVENT {HAVE}{NoT}

3   Intention of Oneida not working; to break up (4) IDEA onEIDA*

4   Not odd to clear exam; current (6) LATEST {cLeAr}{TEST}

5   Schedule auditor to advance a roster initially (8) CALENDAR {CA}{LEND}{A}{Ro...r}

6   Contemplative, however over time gets mostly thorough (10) THOUGHTFUL {THOUGH}{T}{FULl}

7   Punishment communicated, therefore should be decapitated (8) SENTENCE {SENT}{hENCE}

8   Most cheerful man retires, gets drunk (8) MERRIEST {M}{RETIRES*}

14 Male worker detains mature people from board (10) MANAGEMENT {M}{AN{AGE}{MEN}T}

16 Order a female in exquisite clothes (8) CLASSIFY {CLASS{1}{F}Y}

17 Financial cyber fraud, over millions in cash taken first (8) ECONOMIC {E CON}{O}{M}{In}{Cash}

18 In depth, river snakes hide at night (8) DARKNESS {D}{R+SNAKES}*

22 Intricate, crisp take to begin with in the screenplay (6) SCRIPT {CRISP}*{Take}

23 Pressed to feed in parts (6) IRONED {IRON}{ED}

24 Mastermind has facts on America blocking India (6) GENIUS {GEN}{US} over {I}

27 Mud has carbon deposit (4) CLAY {C}{LAY}

Reference List

Out-patient = OP< Emergency Room = ER, Name = N, Conservative = C, Right = R, Angstrom = A, Gauss = G, Newton = N, Good = G, Small = S, Son = S, Auditor = CA, Time = T, Man = M, Male = M, Female = F, Over = O, Millions = M, Depth = D, River = R, Fe = IRON, Facts = GEN, India = I, Carbon = C

No 14795, Saturday 16 May 2026, Hypatia

 ACROSS
7 Get rid of letters from index term in a textbook (11) EXTERMINATE [T]
8 Lot's spoken for a little limelight (3) LUX {~LUCK'S}
10 Deep // sea fish (4) BASS [DD]
11 Old-time secretary rearranging notes (5) STENO*
12 Local returning before India's spring harvest (4) RABI {BAR<}{I}
13 Entrances to historical and majestic pillars in heritage site (5) HAMPI [Acrostic]

15 Extremely envious incident framing one charged for spying (9) ESPIONAGE {EnviouS}{P{ION}AGE}

16 Checks for auditor's rules (6) REIGNS {~REINS}
18 I hated trips in Middle Eastern airline (6) ETIHAD*

21 What one gets from eating garlic in the bar (3,6) BAD BREATH {THE BAR*} [RA]
23 Husband overwhelmed by duty in mating game? (5) CHESS {C{H}ESS}
25 Starts to question UN about Yemeni port (4) QUAY [Acrostic]
26 Father wearing cool fashion brand (5) PRADA {P{RAD}A}

27 Replace stews without exotic eel or fish (4) CARP {RePlACe*}
28 Fine tips from embroidered Zari in Moroccan hat (3) FEZ {F}{Embroidered}{Zari}

29 Actor's pass with a hint of romance in dreary kiss (7,4) GREGORY PECK {GRE{GO}{Romance}Y}{PECK}

DOWN

1 Old accountant on vacation, initially had food - mine! (8) EXCAVATE {EX}{CA}{Vacation}{ATE}
2 Space between hospital sheets, ultimately in layers (4) HENS {H}{EN}{sheetS}
3 Cheer up in the morning with milk (5) AMUSE {AM}{USE}
4 Topical jingle that's upside down (7) INVERSE {IN}{VERSE}
5 Drug in operation used to release oxygen (8) ATROPINE {OPERATIoN*}

6 Spooner asking tramp to embrace fraud (6) HUMBUG {Spoonerism of BUM HUG}
9 Prohibit course covering resistance wave (8) BRANDISH {B{R}AN}{DISH}
14 Ordinary request put up in outlays for attendants (8) PAGEBOYS {O BEG}< in {PAYS}
17 Cleaners in school with those in tears (8) SWEEPERS {S}{WEEPERS}
19 Conceptual// outline (8) ABSTRACT [DD]
20 Doctor gets to drink poured rum (7) STRANGE {GETS*} around {RAN=poured}
22 Discrimination shown in cinema cum entertainment (6) ACUMEN [T]
24 Say, Omani upset about bit of jeera in millet (5) BAJRA {ARAB<} around {Jeera}

27 Penny cuddled by shy ape (4) COPY {CO{P}Y}

Reference List

India=I, Husband=H, Fine=F, Old=Ex, Accountant=CA (Chartered Accountant), Space=EN, Hospital=H, Morning=AM, Oxygen=O, Resistance=R, Ordinary=O, School=S, Penny=P.

No 14794, Friday 15 May 2026, Hypatia

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

7   Cycles poorly to hospital in rough vehicle (8) RICKSHAW {(-s)ICK(+s)S}{H}{ in {RAW}

9   Active local touring old destinations initially on a ship (6) ABOARD {A}{B{O}AR}{De...s}

10 Personally crafted project, say - a lamp (4) DIYA {DIY}{A}

11 Cancelling out filling NYU rolls (10) NULLIFYING*

12 Intolerant people in scraps about match (6) BIGOTS {BI{GO}TS}

14 Whip gooey substances coating ordinary fruits (8) TANGELOS {TAN}{GEL{O}S}

15 Terribly upsetting hater (13) HEARTBREAKING [HATER}* [RA]

18 The Reverend Harry's condition in decline (8) STAGNATE (~nag state to stagnate)

20 Sanskrit scholar drinking hot water in Delhi (6) PANINI {PAN{IN}I}

21 The only option for an ultimate holiday spot? (4,6) LAST RESORT {LAST}{RESORT}

22 Middle Eastern port finally closed to North America (4) DOHA Tail Acrostic

23 Surprisingly last to answer on the buzzer? (6) HORNET {a...eR+ON+THE}*

24 African from Western part of Ghana is in Utah (8) TUNISIAN [T<=]

DOWN

1   Drop vessel, eating very little (8) DIMINISH {DI{MINI}SH}

2   Fine bits of radish alongside vegetable (4) OKRA {OK}{Ra...h}{Al...e}

3   Conservative husband in old style baggy trousers (6) CHINOS {C}{H}{IN}{O}{S}

4   Spanish ranch house had a nice complex (8) HACIENDA*

5   Say, Hawaiian acting in one's play (10) POLYNESIAN*

6   Supporting books - starting from Othello, immediately (6) PRONTO {PRO}{NT}{Ot...o}

8   Smart new tutor led extremely unusual careers (4-6-3) WELL-TURNED-OUT {NEW+TUTOR+LED+Un...aL}*

13 Oscar called you and me to protect brown animals (10) ORANGUTANS {O}{RANG}{U{TAN}S}

16 Touchy about party reduced to a caricature (8) TRAVESTY {T{RAVe}ESTY}

17 Girl with bhai jaan, not oddly pacifist by principle (8) GANDHIAN {G}{AND}{bHaI+jAaN}

19 Item of crockery the camp lost frequently (6) TEAPOT {ThE+cAmP+lOsT}

20 Part of expat in American film (6) PATINA [T]

22 Whack fly (4) DASH [DD]

Reference List

Hospital = H, Old = O, Ordinary = O, Hot = IN, Conservative = C, Husband = H, Style = S, Books = NT(New Testament), Oscar = O, Girl = G

No 14793, Thursday 14 May 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 8A 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   Bans pesticide, nasty stuff (4,3,6) BITS AND PIECES*

8   Dim lights entirely at first in pub (5) B?E?R (Addendum - BLEAR {B{Li...s}{En...y}AR} - See comments)

9   Dribbling with energy in east European arena (9) SLAVERING {E} in {SLAV}{RING}

11 Be very surprised by awful heat on set around afternoon (3,4,3) EAT ONES HAT {HEAT+ON+SET}* over {A}

12 Beat culprit stealing bags in retreat (4) STIR [T<=]

14 Father is captivated by a master's art movement (7) DADAISM {DAD}{A}{IS}{M}

16 Kitchen item with good sieve (7) GRIDDLE {G}{RIDDLE}

17 American chap is badly affected by a language disorder (7) APHASIC {A+CHAP+IS}*

19 Overwhelmed by drink, member has terribly serious accident (5-2) SMASH-UP {S{M}{HAS*}UP}

21 Trouble after king's murder (4) KILL {ILL}<=>{K}

22 Hero in rave turned intoxicated (10) ADVENTURER*

25 Repaired terminal's railway tracks (9) TRAMLINES*

26 Extremely unruly fool interrupting concert (5) UNITY {Unr{NIT}ulY}

27 Clear-cut kind of film (5-3-5) BLACK-AND-WHITE [DD]

DOWN

2   Thought creatively and edited a novel (7) IDEATED*

3   Most resilient secret agents collaring gang leader in tunnel (10) SPRINGIEST {SP{RING}IES}{Tu...l}

4   Bags filled with special egg holders (5) NESTS {NE{S}TS}

5   Girl transported by plane has broken bones (9) PHALANGES {G} in {PLANE+HAS}*

6   Wife entertained by show about sheep (4) EWES {SE{W}E<=}

7   Victory secured by deceit, rogue's expelled (7) EVICTED {E{V}ICTED*}

8   Stabbed with rake, ripping the stomach (11) BREADBASKET {STABBED+RAKE}*

10 Start to roll joint with member in merry social event held on lawn (6,5) GARDEN PARTY {Roll}{DEN}{PART} in {GAY}

13 One inspired by macho stud's unusual knack of making money (5,5) MIDAS TOUCH {1} in {MACHO+STUD}*

15 Revolutionary plan to catch brilliant Mafia boss in European region (9) MACEDONIA {AIM<=} over {ACE}{DON}

18 Ancient chamber containing large bag (7) HOLDALL {H{OLD}ALL}

20 Musician in Paris, playing in hotel bar (7) HARPIST {H}{PARIS*}{T}

23 Take a sedative to stay relaxed (5) EASED [T]

24 Starts to beat leader of cocaine cartel (4) BLOC Acrostic

Reference List

Energy = E, Afternoon = A, Master = M, Good = G, Member = M, King = K, Special = S, Girl = G, Wife = W, Victory = V, Hotel = H, Bar = T

No 14792, Wednesday 13 May 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 17A 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   American throttled by armed culprit violently - it could result in death penalty (7,6) CAPITAL MURDER {A} in {ARMED+CULPRIT}*

8   Brief, sporadic fights (5) SPARS SPARSe 

9   Falls down badly, loses consciousness primarily after consuming drink (9) COLLAPSES {LOSES+Co...s}* over {LAP}

11 Revives tipsy marines with tea (10) REANIMATES {MARINES+TEA}*

12 Fun in Gujarat's first sanctuary (4) GLEE {Gu...t}{LEE}

14 Support copper beginning to berate beastly youngster (4,3) BEAR CUB {BEAR}{CU}{Be...e}

16 Gasp about diamond's size (7) BREADTH {BREA{D}TH}

17 Finest century, extremely impressive in final (7) L?C?E?T (Addendum - LACIEST  {LA{C}Im...vE}ST} - See comments)

19 Involve head of radiology in treatment of emboli (7) EMBROIL {EMB{Ra...y}OIL*}

21 A little malfunction in opening umbrella (4) GAMP {GA{Ma...n}P}

22 Moving injured girl at once (10) RELOCATING*

25 Remove coach after losing one game (9) TRANSPORT {TRAiN}{SPORT}

26 Lyric poet in neighbourhood is terrific (5) ODIST [T]

27 Forbid foolish attendant picking up dope for transient visitor (4,2,7) BIRD OF PASSAGE {FORBID}*{P{ASS}AGE}

DOWN

2   A Tibetan monk embracing a bishop in American state (7) ALABAMA {A}{L{A}{B}AMA}

3   How patient after surgery might be laughing uncontrollably (2,8) IN STITCHES [DD]

4   Cocaine found in a car travelling to capital city (5) ACCRA {C} in {A+CAR}*

5   Supple batter turned and smashed ball over English umpire's foot (9) MALLEABLE {LAM<=}{L{E}ABL*}{u...rE}

6   Stern parent (4) REAR [DD]

7   Stored fodder in citadel is nearly over (7) ENSILED [T<=]

8   Flasher in spot, without pants or belt (6,5) STROBE LIGHT {S{OR+BELT}*IGHT}

10 Find out and be incensed by drunk husband chasing girl inside (3,3,5) SEE THE LIGHT {SEETHE}{LI{H}<=>{G}T}

13 Like a film with some new rumba moves (10) MEMBRANOUS {SOME+N+RUMBA}*

15 Gambler turned richer (6,3) BETTER OFF {BETTER}{OFF}

18 Musical instruments in church mass on island in Asia (7) CEMBALI {CE}{M}{BALI}

20 Thinking of love and longing (7) OPINING {0}{PINING}

23 Nearly all going topless on island near a port city of ancient Rome (5) OSTIA {mOST}{I}{A}

24 Exercised in shade, Sun's coming up (4) USED [T<=]

Reference List

American = A, Diamond = D, Century = C, Bishop = B, Cocaine = C, English = E, Husband = H, Girl = G, New = N, Church = CE, Mass = M, Island = I

No 14791, Tuesday 12 May 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   Most annoyed with extremely obnoxious head of syndicate in summit (8) CROSSEST {CR{Ob...uS}{Sy...e}EST}

5   Gorgeous associate goes bare, intoxicated after drink (6) SUPERB {BaRE}*<=>{SUP}

10 One captivated by young lady working in office (7) MISSION {1} in {MISS}{ON}

11 See 3 Down

12 Left to inquire about patient at centre for eye surgery (5) LASIK {L}{AS{patIent}K}

13 Extremely tense guys entering a club for relaxation (9) ABATEMENT {TensE}{MEN} in {A}{BAT}

14 Stylish fellow on island lied about relationships for affairs (12) INFIDELITIES {IN}{F}{I}{LIED*}{TIES}

18 A few words after fellow involved in deceit gets long term of imprisonment (4,8) LIFE SENTENCE {SENTENCE}<=>{LI{F}E}

21 One evaluating flight, spin etc in cricket match with plan to trap India's opener (4,5) TEST PILOT {TEST}{P{In..a}LOT}

23 Group going topless on excellent Hawaiian island (5) LANAI {cLAN}{A1}

24 Large lizards in Antigua, nasty (7) IGUANAS [T]

25 CIA list about right-leaning characters (7) ITALICS*

26 Rodent in hotel behind park caught by energetic person (6) GOPHER {H}<=>{P} in {GOER}

27 Moves forward, kills extremely peculiar female monsters (8) OGRESSES prOGRESSES

DOWN

1   Observe beautiful European falling for Prince (6) COMPLY COM(-e+p)PLY

2   Torment in sob session (6) OBSESS [T]

3 & 11 What tortoise might do to take a risk (5,4,4,3) STICK ONES NECK OUT [C&DD]

4   Make a big thing of American involved in deplorable liaisons with teens (14) SENSATIONALISE {A} in {LIAISONS+TEENS}*

6   Fun clearly to host a relative (5) UNCLE [T]

7   Old erotic novel is popular (8)  EXOTERIC {EX}{EROTIC}*

8   Venture by American group backing Tesla's trial of a product in final stage (4,4) BETA TEST {BET}{A}{SET<=}{T}

9   Promising band in arena after struggle (10,4) ENGAGEMENT RING {RING}<=>{ENGAGEMENT}

15 Charge stylish college head ensnaring university student (9) INCULPATE {IN}{C}{PATE} over {U}{L}

16 Dope, heroin and gin? Horrible habit (8) CLOTHING {CLOT}{H}{GIN*}

17 Bad defeat for one on cricket field (3,5) OFF STUMP {OFF}{STUMP}

19 Pranks by comic in cast (6) ANTICS*

20 Wife is winner of American beauty contest (6) ?I?S?S (Addendum - MISSUS {MISS US} - See comments)

22 Tubular pasta in stall, extremely nice (5) PENNE {PEN}{NicE}

Reference List

Associate = A, Drink = SUP, Left = L, Stylish = IN, Fellow = F, Island = I, Hotel = H, Park = P, European = E, Prince = P, American = A, Tesla = T, College = C, University = U, Student = L, Heroin = H

No 14790, Monday 11 May 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 22D 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   Displays anxiety about lout at centre following husband (5,3) HANGS OUT {ANGS{lOUt}T}<=>{H}

5   Stumble over daughter's three-legged stand (6) TRIPOD {TRIP}{O}{D}

10 Novel released around end of year (7) UNTRIED {UNT{yeaR}IED}

11 See 3 Down

12 Constant stench in estuary (5) CREEK {C}{REEK}

13 Rugged mesomorph wins easily (5,4) ROMPS HOME*

14 Reading about extremely terse Republican's meddlesomeness (12) INTERFERENCE {IN{TersE}{R}FERENCE}

18 Manage to crush confident barbarian in a game (8,4) TREASURE HUNT {TREA{SURE}{HUN}T}

21 Actress playing flirtatious role is naughty to be sure, close to perfect (9) SOUBRETTE {TO+BE+SURE+p...cT}* 

23 Join teleconference to secure information of military value (5) INTEL [T]

24 One chanting is emotional, having finally lost love (7) INTONER {INN{losT}{0}ER}

25 Attacking cartel after receiving assistance (7) RAIDING {R{AID}ING}

26 Proceed with Mafia boss to have small boy sponsored at baptism (6) GODSON {GO}{D{S}ON}

27 Beginning to train hard by playing tennis, becoming most lean (8) THINNEST {Tr..n}{H}{TENNIS}*

DOWN

1   Squat to acquire primarily attractive hip and buttock (6) HAUNCH {H{At...e}UNCH}

2   Crazy person from northern state (6) NUTTER {N}{UTTER}

3 & 11 What inexperienced boxer might do to show resolve (5,4,4,3) STICK ONES CHIN OUT [C&DD]

4   Government official and corrupt treasurer deny stealing cash at first (14) UNDERSECRETARY {TREASURE+DENY}* over {Cash}

6   Checks earthenware in small boxes (5) REINS [T]

7   Piano for fellow? Great present (8) PROPOUND PRO(+p-f)POUND

8   Bird in spot on exotic tree by lake (8) DOTTEREL {DOT}{TREE}*{L}

9   Dregs of society face home truths unhappily (4,2,3,5) SCUM OF THE EARTH*

15 Princess captivated by tenor in fantastic performance (9) RENDITION {DI} in {TENOR+IN}*

16 Concealing distress, remains inside (8) STASHING {ST{ASH}ING}

17 Removed passage in document (8) DEDUCTED {DE{DUCT}ED}

19 Sick artiste giving up ultimately injurious habit (6) ATTIRE {ARTIsTE}*

20 Pale after onset of bacterial disease (6) BLIGHT {LIGHT}<=>{Ba...l}

22 Musical form with recurring theme playing in star's latest party (5) R?N?O (Addendum - RONDO {ON} in {staR){DO} - See domments)

Reference List

Husband = H, Over = O, Daughter = D, Constant = C, Republican = R, Small = S, Hard = H, Northern = N, Piano = P, Fellow = F, Lake = L, Princess = DI, Playing = ON, Party = DO