No 14764, Friday 10 Apr 2026, Dr. X

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   Auto part in British base stolen by brash crooks craftily (5,8) SHOCK ABSORBER {B}{E} in {BRASH+CROOKS}*}

8   Help to check small elementary particle (5) BOSON {BO{S}ON}

9   In agreement with old judge confining primarily obnoxious chaps from the right (2,3,4) OF ONE MIND {O}{F{Ob...s}{MEN<=}IND}

11 Contrived outrageous airlift to pick up spies (10) ARTIFICIAL {ARTIFI{CIA}L*}

12 Worry greatly about onset of epidemic (4) FEAR {F{Ep...c}AR}

14 Scold couple of associates receiving fine in Japanese city (7) NAGAOKA {NAG}{A}{OK}{A}

16 Knocking back second drink, jerk becomes pliable (7) ELASTIC {S}{ALE}<={TIC}

17 Fantastic in cameo, getting accolades (7) ENCOMIA*

19 Right time to break disorganised union's strike (3,4) RUN INTO {R} with {T} in {UNION}*

21 Agile secret agent catches leader of renegades (4) SPRY {SP{Re...s}Y}

22 Shrub in fancy patio outside popular lodge (10) POINSETTIA {PATIO}* over {IN}{SET}

25 Cheats to tackle university exam that's most tough (9) ROBUSTEST {ROB{U}S}{TEST}

26 Kid in extremely tense race (5) TRIBE {Ten{RIB}sE}

27 Deceptive behaviour in the comedy industry? (5,8) FUNNY BUSINESS [DD]

DOWN

2   Hack starts to tweet about generating keyword on social media (7) HASHTAG {HASH}{Tw..t}{About}{Ge...g}

3   Diseased cows on farm complicated situation (3,2,5) CAN OF WORMS*

4   Zodiac crashed, leaving 500 lifeless (5) AZOIC ZOdIAC*

5   Snicker about book by a catchphrase inventor (9) SLOGANEER {S{LOG}{A}NEER}

6   Starter of ravioli with fish roll (4) REEL {Ra...i}{EEL}

7   Famous American rapper releasing many new tracks at launch (7) EMINENT {EMINEm}{N}{Tr...s}

8   Problem in bar with siren going wild after consuming drink (5-6) BRAIN-TEASER {BAR+SIREN}*{ over {TEA}

10 Alarming discourse about extremely corrupt members of the board (11) DIRECTORATE {DIRE}{ORATE} over {Co...pT}

13 Cuts over umpire's head, getting century in Australian city (10) LAUNCESTON {LA{Um...r}NCES}{TON}

15 Couple of Americans outside bar wobble around in a weakened state (2,1,3,3) AT A LOW EBB {A}{T}{A}{WOBBLE*}

18 Reindeer in our cabin! Endlessly troublesome (7) CARIBOU {OUR+CABIn}*

20 Fools misbehave in retreat after consuming dope (7) NITWITS {SIN<=} over {TWIT}

23 Gentlemen at estate eating buns (5) NATES [T]

24 Small boy captivated by cool library ID (4) ISBN {I{S}{B}N}

Reference List

British = B, Base = E, Small = S, Associate = A, Second = S, Right = R, Time = T, Popular = IN, University = U, Kid = RIB, 500 = D, New = N, Century = TON, American = A, Bar = T, Small = S, Boy = B

No 14763, Thursday 09 Apr 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 21A 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   Began to sing in lorry, enthralled by drink (6,2) STRUCK UP {S{TRUCK}UP}

5   Prepare for major housing amendment (6) REFORM [T]

10 Guide in rough terrain (7) TRAINER*

11 Pep up in final, making a comeback after catch (7) HEARTEN {NET<=}<=>{HEAR}

12 A little lamp in back row's illuminated again (5) RELIT {Lamp} in {TIER<=}

13 Racing with caution on essentially dangerous circuit (9) CAREERING {CARE}{d..gEr..s}{RING}

14 What bats will do to remain united (4,8) HANG TOGETHER [C&DD]

18 Emphatic about criminal being unstable (12) INCONSISTENT {IN{CON}SISTENT}

21 Disastrous match! Coming to grips with primarily shocking collapse (9) D?S?E?A?R () 

23 Rude lady breaks heart, goes round with model (5) BLUNT {NU{L}B<=}{T}

24 Kind of stop without electronic tollgate perhaps (7) GLOTTAL TOLLGATe*

25 Small amount of dope after a little meth in endless party (7) SMIDGEN {GEN}<=>{S{Meth}IDe}

26 British sailors in foreign isle, extremely matey (6) LIMEYS {ISLE+MateY}*

27 Despicable boy advanced to ensnare good girl (8) BEGGARLY {B}{E{G}{G}ARLY}

DOWN

1   Lampoon American involved in agitation on base (6) SATIRE {S{A}TIR}{E}

2   Truly perk up after consuming ecstasy (6) REALLY {R{E}ALLY}

3   Pressurise with rooks on column (9) CONSTRAIN {CONS}{TRAIN}

4   Unidentifiable bag in enclosure, suspicious (14) UNRECOGNISABLE*

6   Remove saree naughtily (5) ERASE*

7   Completely unacceptable massage by houseguest on vacation (8) OUTRIGHT {OUT}{RIG}{Ho...sT}

8   Cribs about primarily arrogant administrators (8) MANAGERS {MAN{Ar...t}GERS}

9   Secures fantastic sandwiches, tart and bit of tiramisu for dessert (9,5) CHARLOTTE RUSSE {SECURES}* over {HARLOT}{Ti...u}

15 Honouring Lennon with big bust (9) ENNOBLING {LENNON+BIG}*

16 Did 'Lungi Dance' in Indian city (8) DINDIGUL*

17 Blizzard in sector, I'm worried (3,5) ICE STORM*

19 Need enormous runs to win final of competition (6) HUNGER {HUGE}{R} over {c...oN}

20 Error to retain tenor, extremely grumpy and mean (6) STINGY {S{T}IN}{GrumpY}

22 Contestant wanting special watch (5) ENTRY sENTRY

Reference List

Drink = SUP, Final = NET, Criminal = CON, Lady = L, Model = T, Dope = GEN, Boy = B, Good = G, Girl = G, American = A, Base = E, Ecstasy = E, Rooks = CONS, Runs = R, Tenor = T, Special = S

No 14762, Wednesday 08 Apr 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   Pen pal is upset about American leader's bluntness (5,8) PLAIN SPEAKING {PEN+PAL+IS}* over {A} and {KING}

8   Calls topless escorts (5) RINGS bRINGS

9   Miss Japan picked up by champion in American club (9) BLACKJACK {LACK}{J} in {BACK}

11 Old-fashioned person, one giving spinal anaesthesia? (4,6) BACK NUMBER [C&DD]

12 Expert checking teen's latest skin condition (4) ACNE {AC{teeN}E}

14 Unknown tramp in base beginning to eat mushroom (7) EXPLODE {X}{PLOD} in {E}{Eat}

16 Emblem over sides of simple historical torch (7) CRESSET {CRES{Si..lE}T}

17 Write about old jerk showing favouritism (7) NEPOTIC {PEN<=}{O}{TIC}

19 Holy place in Muscat renovated around end of Ramadan (7) SANCTUM {MUSCAT}* over {r...aN} 

21 Mongrel beginning to bite, getting muzzle (4) CURB {CUR}{Bite}

22 Guests on island primarily getting loose motion (10) SUGGESTION {GUESTS+ON+I+Ge...g}*

25 Researcher analysed onset of cancer in testis (9) SCIENTIST {Ca...r+IN+TESTIS}*

26 American associate touring most prosperous city in Chile (5) ARICA {A}{A} over {RICh}

27 Raged at elderly doc outside hospital in a callous manner (4-9) COLD-HEARTEDLY {AT+ELDERLY+DOC}* over {H}

DOWN

2   Fancy place has new, special camera accessory (4,3) LENS CAP {PLACE}* over {N}S}

3   Complete details of a nudist streaking at opening on ground (3,3,4) INS AND OUTS {A+NUDIST+St...g+ON}*

4   Oily secretion from small whitehead essentially on butt (5) SEBUM {S}{w..tEh..d}{BUM}

5   Disappears from scene, vigorously cutting guard in retreat (9) EVANESCES {SCENE}* in {SAVE<=}

6   Xhaka, Kane welcoming former Brazilian footballer (4) KAKA [T]

7   Suggestions by star about tackling bad acne (7) NUANCES {SUN<=} over {ACNE*}

8   Turns head to stare as masseur kisses amorously (11) RUBBERNECKS {RUBBER}{NECKS}

10 Urge to steal opal, take money in jars (11) KLEPTOMANIA {OPAL+TAKE+M+IN}*

13 Serves gin cocktail, hosting a preview of art exhibition (10) VERNISSAGE {SERVES+GIN}* over {A}

15 Old cryptic clue is very elegant (9) EXCLUSIVE {EX}{CLUE+IS+V}*

18 Colonnade in dock essentially built by company (7) PORTICO {PORT}{buIlt}{CO}

20 Minor in contest, having endless energy (7) T?I?I?L (Addendum - TRIVIAL {TRI{VIm}AL} - see comments)

23 Reptile in bog at Oregon (5) GATOR [T]

24 Set up banquet in American city (4) ENID <=

Reference List

American = A, Japan = J, Unknown = X, Base = E, Old = O, Jerk = TIC, Island = I, Associate = A, Hospital = H, New = N, Special = S, Money = M

No 14761, Tuesday 07 Apr 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 23A 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   Stretched slowly at first and exercised (8) STRAINED {Sl...y}{TRAINED}

5   Heavenly body of model, extremely elegant (6) PLANET {PLAN}{El...nT}

10 Cold drink with favourite yeast cake (7) CRUMPET {C}{RUM}{PET}

11 Old Greek soldier's drunk in party, tottering essentially (7) HOPLITE {LIT} in {HOP}{t..tEr..g}

12 Visit halfway houses around Finnish city (5) LAHTI [T<=]

13 Mother resents untidy mess (5,4) MARES NEST {MA}{RESENTS}*

14 British dramatist performed hard role after drinking beer (6,6) HAROLD PINTER {HARD+ROLE}* over {PINT}

18 Ugh! Womaniser ruined first party at home (12) HOUSEWARMING*

21 Slyly beginning to reveal offences in the real lives of film actors (3-6) OFF-SCREEN {Re...l+OFFENCES}*

23 Put down mask after end of pandemic (5) C?I?E (Addendum - CHIDE {HIDE}<=>{p...iC} - See comments)

24 American poet of note in independent American university (7) FRENEAU {FRE{N}E}{A}{U}

25 Lights in rear of building site malfunctioned (7) IGNITES {IN+b...nG+SITE}*

26 Reeds around a waterway (3,3) RED SEA {REEDS}*{A}

27 Devilish fellow knocking out model in home (8) INFERNAL IN(-t+f)FERNAL

DOWN

1   Small boy going close to nurse (6) SUCKLE {S}{bUCKLE}

2   Thugs in drains ultimately get away (6) ROUGHS tROUGHS

3   Incriminate rogue and Latin American model involved in murder (9) IMPLICATE {IMP}{L}{IC{A}{T}E}

4   Impromptu poem about needless curbs (14) EXTEMPORANEOUS {EXT{POEM*}RANEOUS}

6   England's opener charges, cuts and runs (5) LOPES {LOP{En...h}S}

7   Comment about deli's latest cake and chocolate made with hazelnuts (8) NOISETTE {NO{delI}{SET}TE}

8   See 16

9   Depth of modernist Hindi novel (5,9) THIRD DIMENSION*

15 Clean hands in hotel after eating cake on vacation (9) INNOCENCE {INN}{O{CakE}NCE}

16 & 8 What camera crew will do to dream big (5,3,3,5) SHOOT FOR THE STARS [DD]

17 Where ball lifted vigorously over umpire's head will be? (8) OUTFIELD {O}{Um...e}{LIFTED*} Semi&lit

19 Stung in Tibet, injured by scorpion's tail (6) BITTEN {TIBET}*{s...oN}

20 Treacherous person's wife left to have peace of mind (6) WEASEL {W}{L} over {EASE}

22 Diabetic repents eating pancake (5) CREPE [T]

Reference List

Cold = C, Note = N, American = A, University = U, Fellow = F, Model = T, Small = S, Boy = B, Latin = L, Murder = ICE, Wife = W, Left = L

No 14760, Monday 06 Apr 2026, Afterdark

Solution to 22A 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   Deteriorated in speech in 10 years (6) DECADE (~decayed)

4   Say, transport cat in mat (6) CARPET {CAR}{PET}

9   Ingredients in muesli, milk are insufficient (4) SLIM [T]

10 Pastor's feeling bitter about offering (10) PRESENTING {P}{RESENTING}

11 Boxes with guerilla on street square (6) CHESTS {CHE}{ST}{S}

12 Tied up a new thief in Delhi, held every second (8) ANCHORED {A}{N}{CHOR}{hElD}

13 Join volunteers in treat (9) ENTERTAIN {ENTER}{TA}{IN}

15 Good points on birds (5) GEESE {G}{E}{E}{S}{E}

16 Prince's fish gets head bitten off by young dog (5) PUPPY {P}{gUPPY}

18 Two characters substitute each offer to get dressmakers as clients (9) CUSTOMERS {C)-o+u)UST(-u+o)OMERS} each offer or each other?

22 Brussels' tie with one at Norway? No, it's Danish, perhaps (8) ?U?O?E?N (Addendum - EUROPEAN {EU}{ROPE}{A}{N} - See comments)

23 Tour without pressure, fly perhaps (6) INSECT INSpECT

25 Companies have function in public transports crossing limits at the terminus (10) {BU{SINE}SES} over {l...tS}

26 One time in elders' house there were rodents (4) RATS {R{A}{T}S} 

27 Companionless ladies surround single with ponytail (6) LONELY {L}{ONE}{L}{ponY}

28 Doctor stays behind small yard having sold perimeter away to Mark (6) SYMBOL {MB}<=>{S}{Y} and {sOLd}

DOWN

1   For starters, daughter ordered large portion, hotel in need to get fish (7) DOLPHIN Acrostic

2   Charlie and Henry evicted from residence and society (5) COMES {C}{hOME}{S} Definition?

3   Store in store? Yes in Spain, set inside (7) DEPOSIT {DEPO{SI}T}

5   Department in New York seizes cocaine after a great engagement at the front (6) AGENCY {N{C}Y}<=>{A}{Great}{En...t}

6   Convert rupee to ml of fuel (9) PETROLEUM*

7   When females becomes tense filters become passages (7) TUNNELS (-f+t)TUNNELS

8   Auntie's scones are prepared with perseverance (13) TENACIOUSNESS*

14 Once poison is administered after injecting some lead, it will be an outbreak (9) EXPLOSION {EX}{POISON+Lead}*

17 One French-American seen with unionist gangster which is rare (7) UNUSUAL {UN}{US}{U}{AL}

19 Longing for a number featuring Sinead O' Connor primarily (7) THIRSTY {THIR{Si...r}TY}

20 Report? Article is being rewritten (7) RECITAL*

21 Say, Rice's first conflict on East is bona fide (6) CEREAL {Co...t}{E}{REAL}

24 Supreme Court obstacle for Bush (5) SCRUB {SC}{RUB}

Reference List

Pastor = P, Street = ST, Square = S, New = N, Thief in Delhi = CHOR, Volunteers = TA(Territorial Army), Good = G, Points = E,S, Prince = P, Pressure = P, Time = T, Elders' house = RS(Rajya Sabha), Lady = L, Small = S, Yar = Y, Charlie = C, Henry = H, Society = S, Yes in Spanish = SI, Cocaine = C, Females = F, Tense = T, One in French = UN, Gangster = AL(Capone), East = E

Special, Sunday 08 Apr 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 50, Sunday 05 Apr 2026, Incognito

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

8   Bread? That's mine, and accompanied by a bit of anchovy (4) PITA {PIT}{An...y}

9   Hides peels (5) SKINS [DD]

10 Caretaker's mails lost in Himalayas, surprisingly (4) AYAH HimalAYAs*

11 Capital possessed by Shankar Acharya (6) ANKARA [T]

12 See Luke going mad about learner's musical instruments (8) UKELELES {SEE+LUKE}* over {L}

13 Recommend, "Do vacate anyhow" (8) ADVOCATE*

15 Using machine for putting down on paper and mistakenly taping using Yankee instead of American (6) TYPING T(-a+y)YPING

17 Harmful constituent of food animal consumed, taking in a lot at first (7) OXALATE {OX}{A}{Lot}{ATE}

19 Lands in the lakes? (7)  ISLANDS [CD]

22 Cancel north eastern entrance (6) NEGATE {NE}{GATE}

24 Expectorated on university luncheonette assistant initially and started soiling pancake flippers (8) {SPAT}{U}{Lu...e}{As...t}{So...g} 

26 Compose march tune in lounge chair, perhaps (8) ARMCHAIR {MARCH}*{AIR}

28 Except Australian neon gas (6) BUTANE {BUT}{A}{NE}

30 Small piece available in Kanchipuram (4) CHIP [HIPS]

31 Drink first, followed by setter's game (5) RUMMY {RUM}{MY}

32 Queen present in Teheran, Iran (4) RANI [T]

DOWN

1   Make a false statement on new right (4) LIEN {LIE}{N} 

2   Chop sapodilla after removing top part of pulp to make cooking ingredient (5,3) SALAD OIL {SApODILLA}*

3   South African peoples having model with Aswan reconstruction (6) TSWANA {T}{ASWAN*}

4   Time taken to read reports of a meeting (7) MINUTES [DD]

5   A message of distress about most superior material that is harmful (8) ASBESTOS {A}{S{BEST}OS}

6   What the lady did to improve looks to get edam? (4,2) MADE UP [EDAM}* [RA]

7   23 in Kalpetta, Kerala (4) TAKE [T]

14 Die around 9 or 11 for southern part of the US (5) DIXIE {D{IX}IE} or {DI{XI}E}

16 Diana? Could be a Comaneci... (5) NADIA*

18 Books confused Thai user (8) THESAURI*

20 True, lady is excited in extra-marital affair (8) ADULTERY*

21 Has spread butter with a bit of salt in monasteries (7) ASHRAMS {HAS*}{RAM}{Salt}

23 Take small quantity covered with peat mixture (6) ACCEPT {A{CC}EPT*}

25 Sailor accompanies Turkish governor at small monasteries (6) ABBEYS {AB}{BEY}{S}

27 Some leaving Rushmore for German area (4) RUHR RUsHomRe

29 6 doing headstand? (4) NINE (6 to 9) Definition?

Reference List

Learner = L, Yankee = Y, American = A, North Eastern = NE, University = U, Australian = A, New = N, Model = T, Sailor = AB

No 14759, Saturday 04 Apr 2026, Afterdark

 ACROSS
1 Leaking doctor's intellectual property disheartened personally (6) DRIPPY {DR}{IP}{PersonallY}
4 Quarterfinals always leads to a medical condition (1,5) Q FEVER {QF}{EVER}
9 Heads from Gulf Union fear foreign baloney (4) GUFF [Acrostic]
10 Say forest transport's wild bison and buckram essentially (6,4) CARBON SINK {CAR}{BISON*}{aNd}{bucKram} See comments 
11 Miser investing a lot in business (6) CHEAPO {C{HEAP}O}
12 Secret cult loses leader, English Prior's powerless (8) ULTERIOR {cULT}{E}{pRIOR}
13 Type of pistol to ignore; rumoured to lack iron-sight primarily (4-5) SNUB-NOSED {SNUB}{NOiSED}
15 Reform people in a dungeon at first (5) AMEND {A}{MEN}{Dungeon}
16 A soft calcite found in Switzerland and Albania by knight (5) CHALK {CH}{AL}{K}
18 Say, Rajinikanth is fan magnet, appearing in papers every second (5,4) STAGE NAME {MAGNET pApErS}*
22 Slow single male worker passes assignments essentially (8) STAGNANT {STAG}{assigNments}{ANT}
23 Duckett legally blocked a container (6) KETTLE [T]

25 Something preceding it may concern (10) WHOMSOEVER [CD]
26 Persuade to live at the outskirts of Nadiad (4) BEND {BE}{NadiaD}
27 Would he be testing for poison taking egg out of kitchen equipment (6) TASTER {ToASTER}
28 Fly with El Salvador head (6) ESCAPE {ES}{CAPE}

DOWN
1 French heir unpaid in revolution, cross heart (7) DAUPHIN {UNPAID}* over {H}
2 Train Frank to hide below (5) INFRA [T]
3 Pass to enter good company with instrument (7) PICCOLO {PI}{C{COL}O}

5 Hostile France meets East Germany on the fourth of July (6) FROSTY {FR}{OST}{julY}
6 My servant becomes a church official (9) VESTRYMAN* 
7 One day in conflict and confrontation ultimately leads to poor health (3-4) RUN DOWN {R{UN D}OW}{confrontatioN}
8 Belligerent martinet with vague manoeuvres (13) ARGUMENTATIVE*
14 Tennis, Cricket, Hockey, Golf, Soccer, etc (4,5) BALL GAMES [Easy]
17 Warm, square, intense and highly successful (7) HOT SHOT {HOT}{S}{HOT}
19 Games for American children with fine arts after final briefing (2-5) GO KARTS {OK}{ARTS}<=>{briefinG}

20 Collection at Indian festival no good, cheap essentially (7) MELANGE {MELA}{NG}{chEap}
21 Mislead auditor by removing core of unit (6) CAJOLE {CA}{JOuLE}
24 A little setback, one crack in the middle bone (5) TIBIA {A {I}BIT}<

REFERENCE LIST

Doctor=Dr., Intellectual Property=IP, Quarterfinals=QF, Business=CO, English=E, Power=P, Switzerland=CH, Albania=Al, Knight=K, Egg=0=O, Heart=H, East German=Ost, One=Un (in French), Day=D, Square=S, No good=NG.

No 14758, Friday 03 Apr 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

8   Travel with graduate (4) PASS [DD]

9   Man in deserted Warangal, procures 1000 creatures, snail perhaps (5) WHELK {W..a{HE}n..L}{K}

10 Done with 6 deliveries (4) OVER [DD]

11 Basically thoughtless mistake leads to panic (6) TERROR {Th...s}{ERROR}

12 Victor, bad adult at New York hides an evil act (8) VILLAINY {V}{ILL}{A}{NY} over {1}

13 Thug in Furness (8) SKINHEAD {SKIN}{HEAD} What is a Furness?

15 American singer's lines on virginity, say (6) CHERRY {CHER}{RY}

17 Counterpart, very short, loses edge chasing old ball (7) OBVERSE {V}{tERSE} <=>{O}{B}

19 Enforcement Directorate seizes currency at engineer's business (7) EPISODE {E{PISO}D}{E} 

22 Offer by them, after one in the same place (6)  IBIDEM {BID}{'EM}<=>{1}

24 Record by new cycle right away (8) NOTATION {N}{rOTATION}

26 Harry then cuts a tree (8) CHESTNUT*

28 Young working class Scot invites trouble, gets arrested (6) NAILED {N{AIL}ED}

30 Say, equipment at hospital gets current provided in opposite direction (2-2) HI-FI {H}{I}{IF<=}

31 Piece of furniture in resto, old to maintain (5) STOOL [T]

32 Van Dyke will hide this (4) CHIN [CD/GK]

DOWN

1   Nominate some from enamellers (4) NAME [HIPS]

2   Mix reagents and separate (8) ESTRANGE*

3   Answer verbally, not entirely with twist (6) SWERVE [T]

4   Building revamped spending millions as charge (7) PERVADE {REVAmPED}*

5   CSK pulls batter to provide safety gear (8) SKULLCAP* Extra S and an A short in the fodder

6   Say, Britisher Wade eliminates diwan essentially for a hairstyling cream (6) POMADE {POM}{wADE} 

7   Withdraw from network consuming time ultimately (4) WEAN {W{timE}AN}

14 Dish available in Muridke, Babylonia (5) KEBAB [T]

16 Heads off to Erode to participate in a contest (5) RODEO {eRODE}{tO}

18 Say, the Zealot is primarily enamoured by Polish (8) SIMONISE {SIMON}{IS}{En...d}

20 In peacetimes, morning is spent preparing for carefully planned military operation (3,5) SET PIECE PEaCETImES*

21 Female leaves party to get a balm (7) UNCTION fUNCTION

23 It's somehow used in Duke Institute leading laboratory for getting extract (6) DISTIL {D}{ITS*}{I}{La...y}

25 Can heartless gal empathise at the beginning giving gooseflesh (6) TINGLE {TIN}{GaL}{Em...e}

27 Mop hall first and ventilate (4) HAIR {Hall}{AIR}

29 Say, Mahabharata is a constant in Eastern colleges (4) EPIC {E}{PI}{C}

Reference List

1000 = K, Victor = V, Lines = RY, Very = V, Old = O, Ball = B, Engineer = E, New = N, Right = R, Hospital = H, Current = I, Millions = M, Morning = AM, Female = F, Duke = D, Institute = I, Constant = PI, Eastern = E, Colleges = C

No 14757, Thursday 02 Apr 2026, KrisKross

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   Collapse following blast - loud, primarily powerful (4,2) FOLD UP {F}{LOUD*}{Po...l}

4   Artist of Cuba, in drunken stupor, left (8) SCULPTOR {C} in {STUPOR+L}*

10 Appeal to queen about monument (9) CHARMINAR {CHARM}{RANI<=}

11 Cook good fish after removing head (5) GRILL {G}{bRILL}

12 Condition of sailor carried by vehicle to hospital (7) CATARRH {CA{TAR}R}{H}

13 Gets Mark to cycle after a time (7) ATTAINS {(-s)TAIN(+s)S}<=>{A}{T}

14 Rejected part of result as "Erroneous", attempted exam again (5) RESAT [T<=]

15 One who loves dogs and birds (8) FANTAILS {FAN}{TAILS}

18 An accountant, after retirement, trained community of scholars (8) ACADEMIA {A}{CA}{AIMED<=}

20 English students leaving parasol in shade (5) UMBRA UMBRellA

23 Timid fellow gets scolding (7) FEARFUL {F}{EARFUL}

25 Close sale? (4,3) SEAL OFF {SALE}* [RA]

26 Catch drum (5) SNARE [DD]

27 Hitler, say, cordial about Germany (9) WARMONGER {WARM}{ON}{GER}

28 It provides insight from analysis of heredity (5,3) THIRD EYE*

29 Story about invading Spain - it could reveal something valuable (6) OYSTER {OYST{E}R*}

DOWN

1   Maybe King's rage to quash conservative nation in revolt (4,4) FACE CARD {FA{C}{RACE<=}D}

2   Shelters in grasslands not affected (4-3) LEAN-TOS {LEA{NOT*}S}

3   Mutineer punished by duke? Not fair (9) UNMERITED {MUTINEER}*{D}

5   I insure art, cars, refurbished trailers (7,7) CURTAIN RAISERS*

6   Easy part of this grid (5) LIGHT [DD]

7   Inconsequential test - eventually one is overwhelmed by opponent (7) TRIVIAL {tesT}{RIV{1}AL}

8   Apparel is hand-crafted, revealing taste (6) RELISH [T]

9   Expecting easy finals in Open Bridge Tournament, why I may fail (2,3,6,3) IN THE FAMILY WAY {opeN+b...gE+t...nT+WHY+I+MAY+FAIL}*

16 Flattering most mature, active, conservative politician (9) ADULATORY {ADULt}{A}{TORY}

17 Picked up much more pretty traveller (8) WAYFARER (~way fairer)

19 Bread ready to be dipped in tea (7) CHAPATI {CHA{PAT}I}

21 Took rupees, purchased clothes (7) BROUGHT {B{R}OUGHT}

22 Compensate for rotten place (6) ?F?S?T (Addendum - OFFSET {OFF}{SET} - See comments)

24 He formulated a complex argument about core of modernism (5) FREUD {F{m..eRn..m}EUD}

Reference List

Following = F, Cuba = C, Left = L, Good = G, Hospital = H, Time = T, Accountant = CA, English = E, Student = L, Fellow = F, Spain = E, Rage = FAD, Conservative = C, Duke = D, Active = A, Rupees = R

No 14756, Wednesday 01 Apr 2026, Incognito

HAPPY ALL FOOLS DAY

Solution to 23D 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   Dress got from storage space after escapers left (4) TOGA {sTOraGe+spAce}*

9   Silly ass protects military officer and sailors (5) SALTS {SA{LT}S*}

10 Present location in the region (4) HERE [T]

11 Drink with drunken pop in Middle Eastern city (6) ALEPPO {ALE}{POP*}

12 It helps doctor look at sound organ (8) OTOSCOPE [CD]

13 Utter, "Entire" (8) COMPLETE [DD]

15 Pong from 10 in southern church (6) STENCH {S}{TEN}{CH}

17 Type of cooking that might agitate actor Stephen (4,3) STIR FRY {STIR}{FRY}

19 Returned gold possessed by idiotic lass going around university regularly (2,5) AS USUAL {AU<=} in {LASS}* over {U}

22 Lama leaving wriggling salamander is trapped (6) SNARED {SAlamaNDER}*

24 Rob Morse, perhaps, to get a hat (8) SOMBRERO*

26 Interrogate leader of outlaws in botched up inquest (8) QUESTION {Ou...s} in {INQUEST}*

28 One using a boat is a gambler (6) PUNTER [DD]

30 Conditionally release cricketing equipment (4) BAIL [DD}

31 Central Asian nomad gets an area in China (5) HUNAN {HUN}{AN}

32 Challenge from Hyderabad area (4) DARE [T]

DOWN

1   Implement also before end of trial (4) TOOL {TOO}{t..aL}

2   Philip Pirrip in barge wreck is a highland musician (8) BAGPIPER {PIP} in {BARGE}*

3   A horse runs on land near sea (6) ASHORE {A}{HORSE}*

4   Fully complete everywhere (3,4) ALL OVER {ALL}{OVER}

5   Supports European husbands and wives (8) ESPOUSES {E}{SPOUSES}

6   Something to chew got from Pollachi clerk (6) CHICLE [T]

7   "Hold tightly," from girl with tear (4) GRIP {G}{RIP}

14 Frequently one travels around covering small distance (5) OFTEN {O{FT}EN*}

16 Piece of furniture having cold head covering (5) CHAIR {C}{HAIR}

18 Right LED designed to give stop signal (3,5) RED LIGHT*

20 Peaceful times included in song sung to beloved (8) SERENADE {SEREN{AD}E}

21 Archaeological Survey of India followed by Xi on retirement? Silly! (7) ASININE {ASI}{NINE} {XI<= = IX=NINE}

23 Sure limit may give effect (6) R?S?L? (Addendum - RESULT {SURE+LimiT}* ) Indicator for picking ends of LIMIT missing

25 After losing car, comparing wrongly and feeling dejected (6) MOPING {cOMParING}*

27 Mountain range seen in Tumkur album (4) URAL [T]

29 Lug first lady and lord (4) EARL {EAR}{Lady}

Reference List

Military officer = LT(Lieutenant), Southern = S, Church = CH, University = U, European = E, Girl = G, Small distance = FT(Foot), Cold = C, Times = AD