No 14911, Wednesday 30 Sep 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 2D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only 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   Left enthralled by great retired star, most suave (8) GLIBBEST {BI{L}G<=}{BEST}

5   Revealed love to woman in shack (6) SHOWED {SH{O}{W}ED}

10 Champion seen tottering outside retro bar (7) ENDORSE {EN{ROD<=}SE*}

11 Wanting new cultural fair (7) ETHICAL ETHnICAL

12 Aristocrat welcoming a British billionaire (5) NABOB {N{A}{B}OB}

13 Desiring hot girl in T-shirt (9) THIRSTING {G+IN+T+SHIRT}*

14 Facing a difficult situation at home with a sozzled son on cannabis (2,1,5,4) IN A TIGHTSPOT {IN}{A}{TIGHT}{S}{POT}

18 Very small amount of hard cash found in a tattered shirt (5-7) HAIRS-BREADTH {H} and {BREAD} in {A+SHIRT}*

21 Most important law announced (9) PRINCIPAL (~principle)

23 Screw in beam is eroded (5) MISER [T]

24 One who helps in a venture on hill (7) ABETTOR {A}{BET}{TOR}

25 Ecstatic with grand success, breaking record (7) GLOWING {G}{LO{WIN}G}

26 Stud picking up model is Polish officer (6) HETMAN {HE{T}MAN}

27 Dear me! Worried after street gets flooded (8) STREAMED {DEAR+ME}*<=>{ST}

DOWN

1   Environmentalist beginning to embrace English writer (6) GREENE {GREEN}{Em...e}

2   Young socialite entering popular bar is owing money (2,4) I?D?B? (Addendum - IN DEBT  {IN}{DEB}{T} - See comments)

3   Most basic details of babe cavorting with Senhor when husband's away (4,5)  BARE BONES {BABE+SENhOR}*

4   Top actress performed before opening game watched by many (9,5) SPECTATOR SPORT {TOP+ACTRESS}*{PORT}

6   Associate enthralled by hash dances and laughs (2-3) HA-HAS {A} in {HASH}*

7   Native American huts in hamlet on island in a higher position on top of slope (8) WICKIUPS {WICK}{I}{UP}{Sl..e}

8   Assign escort to entertain European member (8) DELEGATE {D{E}{LEG}ATE}

9   Understanding result of opening curtain in the morning (6,8) SEEING DAYLIGHT [DD]

15 Tribal emblem and mysterious tome found in abandoned plot on base (5,4) TOTEM POLE {TOME}* in {PLOT}* on {E}

16 Start to help after wife slipped - has lip and neck injury (8) WHIPLASH {Help}<=>{W} and {HAS+LIP}*

17 Earnest model dieting after gaining pounds (8) DILIGENT {DI{L}IGENT*}

19 Mouth-like opening is unusually moist, filled with pus essentially (6) OSTIUM {OSTI{pUs}M*}

20 Hard after fellow becomes passionless (6) FRIGID {RIGID}<=>{F}

22 Short surplice of Catholic, dressed to a T (5) COTTA {C}{TO+A+T}*

Reference List

Left = L, Woman = W, New = N, British = B, Girl = G, Son = S, Hard = H, Grand = G, Model = T,  Popular = IN, Bar = T,  Husband = H, Island = I, European = E, Base = E, Wife = W, Pounds = L, Fellow = F, Catholic = C

No 14910, Tuesday 29 Sep 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 20D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only 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   Girl eating ham rolls with bit of hummus in mess (8) MISHMASH {MIS{HAM*}S}{Hu...s}

5   Posh, expensive fur is available (6) USABLE {U}{SABLE}

10 Turns reel back (5) LOOPS<=

11 Need information about Latin winner of a beauty contest (4,5) MISS WORLD {MISS}{WOR{L}D}

12 Private investigator's imperfect, time to replace fellow (9) DETECTIVE DE(-f+)TECTIVE

13 Cancel extremely outspoken former US president (5) NIXON {NIX}{Ou...eN}

14 Kneels and proposes finally with ring in revolutionary scene (6) STOOPS {p...eS}{SP{O}OT<=}

15 Lame boy saved by remarkable ladies (7) DISABLE {B} in {LADIES}*

18 Fretted with limited parking inside (7) REPINED {RE{P}INED}

20 Control British director overwhelmed by anger (6) BRIDLE {B}{RI{D}LE}

22 Deserves angry answer after ignoring wife (5) EARNS ANSwER*

24 Patch filled with weed destroyed flowering plant (9) SPEEDWELL {SP{WEED*}ELL}

25 I catch associate on date cuddling wife! Getting very upset (2,1,3,3) IN A BAD WAY {I}{NAB}{A}{D{W}AY}

26 Order a large gin on the rocks (5) ALIGN {A}{L}{GIN*}

27 Small note about special metamorphic rock (6) SCHIST {S}{CHI{S}T}

28 Ass hadn't changed receptacle used by smokers (3-5) ASH-STAND*

DOWN

1   Married woman has a complaint (6) MALADY {M}{LADY} over {A}

2   Baseball fielder in thigh-length trousers and T-shirt (9) SHORTSTOP {SHORTS}{TOP}

3   Very pleasing information that DJ will bring? (5,2,4,4) MUSIC TO ONES EARS [C&DD]

4   Discussions with executives about money matters at inauguration (7) SUMMITS {SU{Mo..y}{Ma...s}ITS}

6   Swilling wine, lass woos date to indulge in youthful dissipation (3,4,4,4) SOW ONES WILD OATS {WINE+LASS+WOOS+D+TO}*

7   Mineral in container contains radium (5) BORAX {BO{RA}X}

8   Break off with indignation and threaten (8) ENDANGER {END}{ANGER}

9   Climb with foremost of climbers in Andes easily (6) ASCEND {Cl...s} in {ANDES}*

16 Dancer is bare in rave, captivating everyone (9) BALLERINA {BARE+IN}* over {ALL}

17 Gifts new Frisbee to entertain teens at centre (8) FREEBIES {FRISBEE}* over {teEns}

19 Abandon ideals on vacation, enthralled by drink (6) DISOWN {Id..lS} in {DOWN}

20 Sleep beside babe on vacation in retreat? Certainly! (3-4) B?E-?Y?S (Addendum - BYE-BYES {BY}{BabE<=}{YES} - See comments)

21 Copied single in compact disc (6) CLONED {C{LONE}D}

23 Insect egg in vehicle repulsed husband (5) ROACH {CA{O}R<=}{H}

Reference List

Posh = U, Latin = L, Time = T, Fellow = F, Boy = B, Parking = P, British = B, Director = D, Wife = W, Large = L, Small = S, Special = S, Married = M, Date = D, Husband = H

No 14909, Monday 28 Sep 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 2D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only 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   Where one sees the letter E explicitly? (2,2,4,5) IN SO MANY WORDS [C&DD]

8   Advance to save boy in valley (5) COMBE {COM{B}E}

9   Delighted with production of oil by American plant (9) GLADIOLUS {GLAD}{OIL*}{US}

11 Teen in inn excited about boy finally giving number (6-4) NINETY-NINE {TEEN+IN+INN}* over {boY}

12 Starts to appreciate fine African rhino from a distance (4) AFAR Acrostic

14 Rose edited series about Greek mythological character (7) ORESTES {ROSE*}{SET<=}

16 Asserting briefly about making a bloomer (7) NIGELLA {ALLEGINg<=}

17 Deceiver cheers up after ensnaring maiden (7) SCHEMER {SCHE{M}ER*}

19 Small tin can made of tin (7) STANNIC {S}{TIN+CAN}*

21 Lover starts to cuddle at first (4) ERST [T]

22 Liaison at rave after consuming cocaine - becoming rebellious (10) ANTISOCIAL {LIAISON+AT}* over {C}

25 Cause a commotion in bar, catching date embracing hot lady (5,4) RAISE HELL {RAI{SE{H}E}L}{L}

26 Lyric poet turned very tense, entertaining princess (5) ODIST {SO<=}{T} over {DI}

27 Art of artfully reshaping with latest in 3D CGI (7,6) GRAPHIC DESIGN {RESHAPING+3D+CGI}* Semi&lit

DOWN

2   Runner's not at all well, close to collapse (7) N?M?N?E (Addendum - NOMINEE {NO}{MINE}{c...sE} - See comments)

3   Love smart American couple welcoming members at launch individually (3,2,1,4) ONE AT A TIME {O}{NEAT}{A}{TI{Me...s}E}

4   Content of natural ginseng gum (5) ALGIN [T]

5   Desires remuneration after end of therapy (9) YEARNINGS {EARNINGS}<=>{t...pY}

6   Bishop, one wearing outsize sashes (4) OBIS {B}{1} in {OS}

7   Model consuming ecstasy with posh fellow turned miserable (7) DOLEFUL {DOL{E}{U<=>F}L}

8   Specialist beginning to chat about treatment of neurosis (11) CONNOISSEUR {Chat}ON}{NEUROSIS*}

10 Knight in position trapping one's rook with clean moves (3,8) SIR LANCELOT {S{1}{R}{CLEAN*}LOT}

13 Goad union's ridiculous dinosaurs (10) IGUANODONS*

15 Peaceful, having good time on island's national park (9) SERENGETI {SEREN{G}E}{T}{I}

18 Woman drinking wine, becoming more reckless (7) HASTIER {H{ASTI}ER}

20 Nudging to control one talking loudly (7) NOISING {NO{1}SING}

23 Relaxed in food shop in retreat, cuddling date (5) IDLED {DEL{D}I<=}

24 Look at bottom of pump for leak (4) SEEP {SEE}{pumP}

Reference List

Boy = B, Maiden = M, Small = S, Cocaine = C, Hot = H, Lady = L, Tense = T, Princess = DI, American = A, Bishop = B, Outsize = OS, Ecstasy = E, Posh = U, Fellow = F, Rook = R, Good = G, Time = T, Island = I, Date = D

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 75, Sunday 27 Sep 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   How, in the absence of leader, NGO takes an extreme legal action that harms itself (3,4) OWN GOAL {hOW}{NGO}{A}{l..aL}

10 In any environs a cat can make-up (7) ANATOMY {AN{A}{TOM}Y}

11 Girl has argument with boy and a middle-age planter, perhaps (7) GROWBAG {G}{ROW}{B}{A}{aGe}

12 Deep rumble across lake, banks of Tahoe getting empty (7) DEPLETE {DEP{L}E*}{TahoE}

13 Painting outside tunnel features puma essentially in a place full of trees and plants (9) ARBORETUM {AR{BORE}T}{pUMa}

15 Thanks to, say, Aishwarya moving to the front to present an accompaniment (5) RAITA {TA}<=>{RAI}

16 About flowers' emergence (7) OUTFLOW [T]

19 California pub has stranger in show (7) CABARET {CA}{BAR}{ET}

20 Earthenware for sprite during duty frequently (5) DELFT {Du{ELF}Ty}

21 Two small sips frequently after bar to return to most effective range (5,4) SWEET SPOT {S}{WEE}{SiPs}<=>{T} and {TO<=}

25 At college in university campus, six learners found discourteous (7) UNCIVIL {UN{C}I}{VI}{L}

26 Scarf used as silencer (7) MUFFLER [DD]

28 Frequently orders meals last and distributes again (7) RESELLS {oRdErS+mEaLs+LaSt}

29 Certain to carry some weight on bare head (7) TONSURE {SURE}<=>{TON}

DOWN

1   Record on American soldier is placed on a gallery (6) LOGGIA {LOG}{GI}{A}

2   Specialist doctor owns nothing at Bury (6) ENTOMB {ENT}{MB} over {0}

3   Drove back carrying black explosive (4) BOMB {MOB<=}{B}

4   Fiery boxer facing heartless Goliath at Thailand (6) ALIGHT {ALI}{Go...tH}{T}

5   Global pressure and half of them in crisis basically (8) PANDEMIC {P}{AND}{thEM}{In}{Cr...s}

6   Manipulative woman with anger uses club on mammal (7,3) VAMPIRE BAT {VAMP}{IRE}{BAT}

7   Innkeeper is furious; deli's facade is missing here in the centre (8) HOTELIER {HOT}{dELI}{hERe}

8   Classify sect at Puducherry outskirts for resettling (8) TYPECAST {SECT+AT+Po...rY}*

14 In comparison, say sister’s landlady is heartless (10) RELATIVELY {RELATIVE}{La...lY}

16 Say, a conservative recycles gold and uranium, hard without a shred of honesty (3,5) OLD GUARD {GOLD}*{U}{hARD}

17 Beam at the ends collapses castle (8) TELECAST {ThE}{CASTLE*}

18 Things that are dreamt by wife and husband; having a son, basically loved first (4,4) WISH LIST {W}{H} over {1}{S} with {Lo..d}{1ST}

22 Half of open university ultimately end with hatred (6) ENMITY {opEN}{MIT}{u...lY}

23 At the core, pupils allege pauper has an accumulation (6) PILEUP {puPIls}{alLEge}{paUPer}

24 Adding 50% of vegetable's crucial for power, say (6) TURKEY {TURnip}{KEY} Definition not understood!

27 Celebration with daughter at capital (4) FUND {FUN}{D}

Reference List

Girl = G, Boy = B, Lake = L, Thanks = TA, Stranger = ET, Small = S, Bar = T, College = C, University = UNI, Learners = L, American soldier = GI, Black = B, Pressure = P, Wife = W, Husband = H, Son = S, Daughter = D

No 14908, Saturday 26 Sep 2026, Dr. X

 ACROSS
1 Reflect on boyfriend chasing married university lecturer (4,4) MULL OVER {LOVER}<=>{M}{U}{L}
5 Make a date with model at souk (3,3) ASK OUT*
10 Small case in retreat filled with Ecstasy and drugs (5) DOPES {S POD}< around E
11 Body of clergy members finished discourse (9) PASTORATE {PAST}{ORATE}
12 Spot around canal near institute, very alluring (9) SEDUCTIVE {SE{DUCT}{I}{V}E}
13 Style of Greek architecture in department, old and largely magnificent (5) DORIC {D}{O}{RICh}

14 Paid for cast in commercial (6) ATONED {A{TONE}D}
15 Member feared vile slanderer (7) DEFAMER {M FEARED}*
18 Figures essentially checked by remarkably adroit financial examiner (7) AUDITOR {figUres} in {ADROIT*}
20 Mother captivated by chronicle about Tantric scriptures (6) AGAMAS {MA} in {SAGA<}
22 Greek muse in chamber at Olympia (5) ERATO [T]

24 Very gifted young man won Derby easily, enthralling onlookers at centre (3,6) BOY WONDER {WON DERBY}* around {onloOkers}
25 Drives a vintage sedan, primarily extraordinary (9) NAVIGATES {A VINTAGE Sedan}*
26 Garish cap worn by upper-class Republican (5) LURID {L{U}{R}ID}
27 Recognise South American musical instrument (6) SALUTE {SA}{LUTE}
28 Ignore uproar after head of company is confined (6-2) CLOSED-IN {LOSE}{DIN}<=>{Company}

DOWN
1 Grotesque dame having primarily ugly crown of snakes (6) MEDUSA {DAME}* around {Ugly}{Snakes} & Lit

2 Youth consuming a little pot on island with girlfriend is stoned (9) LAPIDATED {LA{Pot}{I}{DATE}D}
3 After reconsideration, start to check fraud by director nevertheless (2,6,7) ON SECOND THOUGHT ONSET around {CON}{D}{THOUGH}
4 English prince chasing maiden restrained and evacuated (7) EMPTIED {E}{P<=>M}{TIED}
6 Impending danger of floods! Cowers anxiously over embankment (5,2,8) SWORD OF DAMOCLES {FLOODS COWERS}* over DAM

7 Broadcasting soon - AI related films (2-3) ON-AIR [T]
8 See 17 (4,4)
9 Go up with first-class cast winning Oscar at centre (6) ASCEND {A}{S{osCar}END}
16 Strayed in despicable act after drinking a little rum (9) MEANDERED {MEAN}{DE{Rum}ED}
17 Give a foot massage perhaps to cause one to feel exquisite pleasure (Continued in 8 Down) (4,4,4,4) MAKE ONE'S TOES CURL [CD & D]
19 Reduction in tax saves close to one billion (6) REBATE {R{onE}{B}ATE}
20 Fool picking up extremely bonny Australian lady - it's unfathomable (7) ABYSSAL {A{BonnY}SS}{A}{L}
21 English poet in alcohol-free retreat (6) DRYDEN {DRY}{DEN}

23 Hammered nail over very heavy iron block (5) ANVIL {NAIL*} over V

REFERENCE LIST

Married=M, University=U, Lecturer=L, Small=S, Ecstasy=E, Institute=I, Very=V, Department=D, Old=O, Member=M, Upper-class=U, Republican=R, South American=SA, Island=I, Director=D, English=E, Prince=P, Maiden=M, First-Class=A, Billion=B, Australian=A, Lady=L.

No 14907, Friday 25 Sep 2026, Afterdark

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   Mark cut short American travel at the end for nuptial (7) SPOUSAL {SPOt}{USA}{t...eL}

5   Firmly established that Edward is lost in abyss, perhaps (4-3) DEEP-SEA {DEEP SEAted}

9   Section of what Collins etched is a small picture inside a larger one (5) INSET [T]

10 Synthetic gum added to marine element (9) GERMANIUM {GUM+MARINE}*

11 Addition of new interns to orbit moon (9) INSERTION {INSERT{IO}N*}

12 Dismissal leads to travel cost... (5) OUTGO {OUT}{GO}

13 ...party silently in Germany, Italy and Gulf (7) SHINDIG {SH}{IN}{D}{I}{G}

15 Feature of Noble? Honour (7)  EARLOBE {EARL}{OBE}

17 Four-wheeler on railroad could be hot and cold, hard essentially (7) HANDCAR {H}{AND}{C}{hARd}

19 A young woman and boy seen with stranger to have tea shortly (7) LADETTE {LAD}{ET}{TEa}

21 To jeer after inaugural talk? Answer is it's forbidden (5) TABOO {BOO}<=>{Talk}{A}

23 Say, Spiderman's purse nicked by lady having nothing (9) SUPERHERO {PURSE*}{HER}{O}

25 Common people stop an election at Ohio seeking independence (3,6) HOI POLLIO {HOI{POLL}O*}{I}

26 About an old king being perceptive (5) CLEAR {C}{LEAR}

27 Photographic process to obtain colour, yellow primarily at palace peripheries... (7) TINTYPE {TINT}{Ye...w}{Pa..cE}

28 Exaggerated heavily, heartless dupe in disguise plundered primarily (5-2) HYPED-UP {He...lY}{DUPE*}{Pl...d}

DOWN

1   Say, lot of Sprite with wine, whisky, beer etc (7) SPIRITS [DD]

2   Old boy's hearing with enthusiasm (9) OBSESSION {OB}{SESSION}

3   Lecher posed with last lady Regina (5) SATYR {SAT}{ladY}{R}

4   Member having a drink with girl in a garment (7) LEGGING {LEG}{GIN}{G}

5   Upset that Leander Angelo is hiding (7) DERANGE [T]

6   Captivated by love affair in dire need (9) ENAMOURED {EN{AMOUR}ED*}

7   Fast but being slow at the corners provided time (5) SWIFT {SloW}{IF}{T}

8   Opening in the garment of member is uncut reportedly (7) ARMHOLE {ARM}{(~whole)HOLE}

14 Contrasting division of being moody with itch awkwardly (9) DICHOTOMY {MOODY+ITCH}*

16 Improving the demo, adding two notes in composition (2,3,4) ON THE MEND {THE+DEMO+N+N}*

17 An important person gets angry with clumsy host (7) HOTSHOT {HOT}{HOST*}

18 To explain again shows dedication (7) RESOLVE {RE-SOLVE}

19 Program in calendar cut short by chief helmsman of the Scandinavian people (7) LAPPISH {L{APP}ISt}{He...n}

20 Self-aggrandisement is for example, nothing in front of teacher's limits, a small pittance (3,4) EGO TRIP {EG}{O}{Te...eR}{I}{Pi...e}

22 Child, one in shed (5) BAIRN {BA{1}RN}

24 Summary of lecture captured partly (5) RECAP [T]

Reference List

Edward = TED, Moon = IO, Silently = SH, Germany = D, Hot = H, Cold = C, Stranger = ET, Answer = A, Independence = I, About = C, Old Boy = OB, Regina = R, Girl = G, Time = T, Note = N

No 14906, Thursday 24 Sep 2026, Afterdark

Solution to 7D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only 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   Empty bay filled with electric vehicles by company (4) BEVY {Ba{EV}Y}

3   Part of mouse (more than one) used by learner in black arts insanely (10) TRACKBALLS {L} in {BLACK+ARTS}*

10 Spending Euros, lavishly decorate in style (3,4) ART DECO DECORATe*

11 Where US Congress meets is Washington D.C., say, is not advanced but ordinary (7) CAPITOL CAPIT(-a+o)OL

12 Retain port (7) HARBOUR [DD]

13 Without resistance, say, sister could be excited (6) ELATED rELATED

15 Show opener in the second half is a landlord, maybe (5) OWNER {shOW}{opeNER}

16 Agreement with criminal by faculties reportedly (9) CONSENSUS {CON}{(~senses)SENSUS}

18 Extract sugar mass from seaweed (9) SARGASSUM*

21 Concluding words by messenger (5) ENVOI [DD]

23 Clay and soil sent back to a town near Kolkata (6) DUMDUM {MUD}{MUD}<=

25 Infrared used in vessel, to regularly heat fish (7) PIRANHA {P{IR}AN}{HeAt}

27 Opposed to Turkish general in emptying Siirt (7) AGAINST {AGA}{IN}{SiirT}

28 As deduced, gold ingot initially was spotted on April 1 (1,6) A PRIORI {OR}{In..t}<=>{APR}{1}

29 Say, massager's at large, decapitated following rule by someone from Spurge family (6,4) RUBBER TREE {RUBBER}T{fREE} Anno for T not clear

30 Avoid the quiet one (4) SHUN {SH}{UN}

DOWN

1   Say, holiday home is at Belgium, one in East Central near two hotels by a river (5,5) BEACH HOUSE {B}{E}{A}{C}{H}{H}{OUSE}

2   Check electronically administered by one that is experienced (7) VETERAN {VET}{E}{RAN}

4   Luggage holders for cars ok to fit (4,5) ROOF RACKS*

5   In hurricane, it’s not on to go round (5) CYCLE CYCLonE

6   One having blood pressure on passage in transport (7) BIPLANE {B{1}P}{LANE}

7   Messages to check brief lacking finish (7)  L?T?E?S (Addendum - LETTERS {LET}{TERSe} - See comments)

8   Betrayed, hence boy is disheartened (4) SOLD {SO}{LaD}

9   Departed, route jammed so a diversion (6) DETOUR {D}{ROUTE}*

14 Assessment at New York time by 1, Matthew is overwrought, negativing in the front (10) ESTIMATION {EST}{1}{MAT}{Is}{Ov...t}{Ne...g}

17 Say, masthead is made of metal pane (9) NAMEPLATE*

19 Right hand cut in the centre by thorn of a plant (7) RHUBARB {R}{H}{cUt}{BARB}

20 Way to cook? Criminal at hideout primarily tortures examiner (2,5) AL DENTE {AL}{DEN}{To...s}{Ex...r}

21 Mistakes by precursor; in knots after losing CPU (6) ERRORS {pREcuRSOR}*

22 Painter of vehicle set out to get herbal primers (3,4) VAN GOGH {VAN}{GO}{Get}{He...l}

24 McDermot eternalizing hidden composition (5) MOTET [T]

26 Locks husband and innkeeper's relative at the gate (4) HAIR Acrostic

Reference List

Electric Vehicles = EV, Learner = L, Euros = E, Advanced = A, Ordinary = O, Resistance = R, Quiet = SH, One = Un, East = E, Central = C, Hotel = H, Electronically = E, Departed = D, Right hand = RH, Criminal = AL(Capone)

No 14905, Wednesday 23 Sep 2026, Incognito

Standing-in for Colonel today 

ACROSS
8 Emperor's generous to some extent (4) NERO [HIPS]

9 Girl with Ralph drops student's diagram (5) GRAPH {G}{RAlPH}
10 Finished / 6 balls (4) OVER [DD]
11 To push wildly and get effect (6) UPSHOT*
12 Tour permits 3 kids born to the same mother at the same time (8) TRIPLETS {TRIP}{LETS}
13 One who sets free sub-letter? (8) RELEASER {RE-LEASER}
15 Mixed broth shakes finally and pulsates (6) THROBS {BROTH*}{shakeS}
17 Alien in print media fixes in advance (7) PRESETS {ET} in {PRESS}
19 Once again corrects article from mistaken dieters (2-5)  RE-EDITS*
22 Guy at the Spanish place of worship (6) CHAPEL {CHAP}{EL}

24 Old boy with European saint turned out to be respectful (8) OBEISANT {OB}{E}{SAINT*}
26 Concentrated bombardments for dams (8) BARRAGES [DD]
28 Angry boss accepts note (6) HEATED {HEA{TE}D}
30 Part of body found in Washington (4) SHIN [HIPS]
31 Athletic Australian soldier starting to like expedition (5) AGILE {A}{GI}{Like}{Expedition}
32 Something for holding cold sauce (4) CLIP {C}{LIP}

DOWN
1 That chap gets a penny for stack (4) HEAP {HE}{A}{P}
2 Female feline, having lost eye, I hear, carries child in legendary creature's lair (4,4) LOCH NESS {Li(~EYE)ONESS} around CH

3 Stones silver seat at random (6) AGATES {AG}{SEAT*}

4 Pound Yankee's source of power (7) BATTERY {BATTER}{Y}
5 Author Agatha organised charities without American capital (8) CHRISTIE {CHaRITIES*}

6 Elbow broken by regiment's cricket player (6) BOWLER {ELBOW*}{R}
7 Singlet from Galveston (4) VEST [HIPS]
14 Mud in possession of Uncle Arthur (5) EARTH [T]
16 Conductor's club? (5) BATON [CD]
18 Excitedly melt gear to produce wire (8) TELEGRAM*
20 Send Chinese after German row (8) DESPATCH {CH}<=>{DE}{SPAT}
21 Adore women with gold on vessel (7) WORSHIP {W}{OR}{SHIP}
23 Apparently includes immediate ancestor (6) PARENT [HIPS]
25 Repeats E, E, E, .... for radioman around end of sortie (6) ECHOES ECHO{sortiE}S
27 A revolutionary's pain (4) ACHE {A}{CHE}
29 Give out wrong item (4) EMIT*

REFERENCE LIST

Girl=G, ALIEN=ET, The Spanish=The in Spanish=EL, Old Boy=OB, European=E, Note=TE, Australian=A, Soldier=GI, Cold=C, Penny=P, Child=Ch, Silver=Ag, Regiment=R, Chinese=Ch, Germen=De, Women=W

No 14904, Tuesday 22 Sep 2026, Incognito

Solution to 10A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only 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   A part of Malaysia, though in pieces? Or is Malaysia a part of it? (4) ASIA {A}{m...ySIA}

9   Notes wrongly written for office assistant of yore (5) STENO*

10 Sound and large increase in sales of explosives? (4) B?O? 

11 Pull away girl hugging Romeo (6) WRENCH {W{R}ENCH}

12 Leave mob in confusion? Can be transferred... (8) MOVEABLE*

13 Mutilated body near place for storing decommissioned aircraft (8) BONEYARD*

15 Operate uninterruptible power supply in last-minute checks before flying (3-3) RUN-UPS {RUN}{UPS}

17 Carrying direction (7) BEARING [DD]

19 Informative documents on harbours (7) REPORTS {RE}{PORTS}

22 Distress call from a couple of vessels (3-3) PAN-PAN {PAN}{PAN}

24 Abuse students in bad attire (3-5) ILL-TREAT {L}{L} in {ATTIRE}*

26 Eastern relation flies (8) ORIENTAL*

28 Old Oscar goes around harbour in city (6) OPORTO {O}{PORT}{O}

30 Zulu incorporated metal (4) ZINC {Z}{INC}

31 Stringed weapon that is a kind of knife (5) BOWIE {BOW}{IE}

32 Dagger used in hijack risky (4) KRIS [T]

DOWN

1   Star might turn into a ruler (4) TSAR*

2   Mac, for example, produced by European in Iran war at sea (8) RAINWEAR {E} in {IRAN+WAR}*

3   Has ATM transmitted disease? (6) ASTHMA*

4   Island boy organising remuda (7) BERMUDA {B}{REMUDA*}

5   Criminal on side? Come to the point... (8) CONVERGE {CON}{VERGE}

6   Get man leaving Manitoba in turmoil before noon (6) OBTAIN {manITOBA}*{N}

7   Carbonaceous matter used to produce cola (4) COAL*

14 Last letter from Rome garrison (5) OMEGA [T]

16 Patrick is at North American city (5) PATNA {PAT}{N}{A}

18 No, butane produces very thin pipe (8) NANOTUBE*

20 Cool! Arks can produce boat parts (8) OARLOCKS*

21 Prisoners of war giving shelter to sick give headrests (7) PILLOWS {P{ILL}OWS}

23 Go through price revision by end of June (6) PIERCE {PRICE*}{junE}

25 John and Theodore stole (6) LOOTED {LOO}{TED}

27 Spoil marathon, for example, around one (4) RUIN {RU{1}N}

29 Work hard to increase leave at first (4) TOIL {TO}{In...e}{Le..e}

Reference List

Romeo = R, On = RE, Student = L, Old = O, Oscar= O, Zulu = Z, European = E, Boy = B, Noon = N, North = N, America = A, John = LOO

No 14903, Monday 21 Sep 2026, Incognito

Solution to 21D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only 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   Wine from cantina stinks (4) ASTI [T]

9   Worries returned in Winchester farm (5) FRETS [T<=]

10 Fastener from damaged part removed from air plant repaired (4) NAIL {AIr+pLaNt}*

11 Cops from Napoli centre (6) POLICE [T]

12 Non believers at theft (8) ATHEISTS {AT}{HEISTS}

13 Hence ads may be converted into money (8) ENCASHED*

15 Acceptable, perhaps, to band wrongly (3,3) NOT BAD*

17 Hoffman hugs boy producing receptacle for waste (7) DUSTBIN {DUST{B}IN}

19 Zulu and Maori danced at end of season for royalty from Calicut (7) ZAMORIN {Z}{MAORI*}{s...oN}

22 Novelist from Australia in front of god (6) AUTHOR {AU}{THOR}

24 Herons flying around setter and riders from the cavalry (8) HORSEMEN {HORSE{ME}N*}

26 12 months, but longer than usual? (4,4) LEAP YEAR [CD]

28 Actor who played The Godfather gives up love for Yankee liquor (6) BRANDY BRAND(-o+y)Y

30 Scotsman gets English spice (4) MACE {MAC}{E}

31 Ms Adler's nurse is in anger (5) IRENE {IR{EN}E}

32 Positive response after European sees (4) EYES {YES}<=>{E}

DOWN

1   In absence of pit, topsoil destroyed in capital (4) OSLO tOpSOiL*

2   Watchful giant goes around port after six (8) VIGILANT {GI{L}ANT}<=>{VI}

3   Female share is changed once again (6) AFRESH {F+SHARE}*

4   Sees Romeo altering grade at school (7) REGARDS {R}{GRADE*}{S}

5   Weakness afterwards in Asia (8) ASTHENIA {AS{THEN}IA}

6   Join up and throw tinsel (6) ENLIST*

7   Affix foot at American soldier's backside for present (4) GIFT {FT}<=>{GI}

14 Pacific island urn broken contains gold (5) NAURU {N{AU}RU*}

16 51 captured by one girl in Wonderland (5) ALICE {A{LI}CE}

18 Some Middle-Easterners dumped silly Lear in river (8) ISRAELIS {IS{LEAR*}IS}

20 Unties rope before adjusting seat and performs surgery (8) OPERATES {ROPE*}{SEAT*}

21 That lady mixed Bert's drink (7) ?H?R?E? (Addendum - SHERBET {HER} in {BERTS}* - See comments) Actually spelt as SHARBAT

23 Occur from latter part of mishap near sty (6) HAPPEN {misHAP}{PEN}

25 Masseur lurking in the shrubbery? (6) RUBBER [HIPS]

27 Style covered by Michaelangelo (4) ELAN [HIPS]

29 Editor returned queen's animals (4) DEER {ED<=}{ER}

Reference List

Boy = B, Zulu = Z, Australia = AU, Yankee = Y, English = E, Nurse = EN(Enrolled Nurse), European = E, Port = LEFT=L, Female = F, Romeo = R, School = S, Foot = FT, American soldier = GI, Editor = ED, Queen = ER