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 ()

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