No 14947, Friday 13 Nov 2026, Vidwan

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ACROSS

1   Arriving quietly, displacing millions for surviving (6)  COPING CO(-m+p)PING

5   Digital version of post, curiously lacking in content perhaps (4,4) SOFT COPY {OF+POST+Cu...lY}*

9   Casting Director - one who makes advances! (8) CREDITOR* 

10 Adore choreographer, every bit from the rear! (6) REVERE [T<=]

11 It's most certainly played by model player (12) CLARINETTIST {ITS+CERTAINLy}*{T}

13 Try India's public transport (4) TAXI {TAX}{I}

14 Continental public transport routes are most exciting (8) EUROSTAR*

17 Heads out with one working for support (8) ADHESION {HEADS*}{1}{ON}

18 No small joke for comrade (4) ALLY sALLY

20 Gold embedded in the leather! Our cute dresses represent high quality fashion! (5,7) HAUTE COUTURE {H{AU}TE*}{OUR+CUTE}*

23 Caribbean city seizes Britain, leaves USA tormented (6) NASSAU {NAbS}{USA*}

24 Tsetse! It can be most nettlesome! (8) TESTIEST*

25 Extremely small first lady avoiding a broadcast (8) SEVERELY {S}{EVE}{RELaY}

26 Most pay attention to faceless British playright's bray (3-3) HEE-HAW {HEEd}{sHAW}

DOWN

2   Part of progress for monster (4) OGRE {HIPS]

3   Causing magnetic effect, kind of divine and almost cute! (9) INDUCTIVE {DIVINE+CUTe}*

4   Georgia beverage with slice of Ukrainian cake (6) GATEAU {GA}{TEA}{Uk...n}

5   Sector of economy scrutinised very casually (7,8) SERVICE INDUSTRY*

6   Withhold leading magazine covering a resistance (8) FORBEARS {FORBE{A}{R}S}

7   I've exchanged a cat for another cat! (5) CIVET {C(-a+ive)IVET

8   Agent from the south is hot, fit and easily spoilt! (10) PERISHABLE {REP<=}{IS}{H}{ABLE}

12 Held apart, a fixed part of mouth (4,6) HARD PALATE*

15 Tide waste, spread across the province (9) STATEWIDE*

16 Medicine can heal over time (8) TINCTURE {TIN}{CURE} over {T} 

19 Violent uprising arising out of Rajput schisms (6) PUTSCH [T]

21 Oddly that's outside the experience (5) TASTE {ThAtS}{ThE}

22 America is also partly backward continent (4) ASIA [T<=]

Reference List

Quietly = P, Millions = M, Model = T, India = I, Small = S, Britain = B, Resistance = R, Agent = REP, Hot = H, Time = T

No 14946, Thursday 12 Nov 2026, Vidwan

Solution to 20A 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   Committed detectives taking out time for event (8) INCIDENT {IN{+cid-t)CIDENT

9   Like keeping presented plants (6) AGAVES {A{GAVE}S}

10 Mountain range in Spain is surprisingly rare somehow (6) SIERRA {IS*}{RARE*}

11 Test car by turning it on (8) AUDITION {AUDI}{IT+ON}*

12 Mount finest steer (8) BESTRIDE {BEST}{RIDE}

13 No love? Girl's retreating to place like Venice! (6) LAGOON {NO}{O}{GAL}<=

14 Cruelly pick out and turn a man's colon as an illustration (11,4) PUNCTUATION MARK {PICK+OUT+TURN+A+MAN}*

18 So pain reliever works for basic ego! (3,3) ICE BAG {ICE+BAG+SO}*=BASIC EGO

20 Uses one incessantly in works of little consequences (3-5) N?N-?S?U? (Addendum - NON-ISSUE {USES+ONe+IN}* - See comments)

23 Lady's cryptic clues for macho man (8) HERCULES {HER}{CLUES*}

24 Alien trapped in prey's germ cell (6) GAMETE {GAM{ET}E}

25 Company guy makes sense (6) COGENT {CO}{GENT}

26 A right time and one small endeavour leads to creativity (8) ARTISTRY {A}{R}{T}{1}{S}{TRY}

DOWN

1   Charlie kicked right out in full draw (6) ENTICE ENTI(+c-r)CE

2   Water pill - It cured one's suffering (8) DIURETIC {IT+CURED+1}*

3   Genuine pal, Indian holds as neighbour! (6) NEPALI [T]

4   A tiny slave tends sick when love is celebrated by the world (2,10,3) ST VALENTINES DAY*

5   Devious UCLA idol and Spanish leader (8) CAUDILLO*

6   Makeshift robe, possibly for Greta Garbo (6) RAGTAG {RAGTAG+ROBE}*=GRETA GARBO [CD]

7   Oh! It is moment of truth! (4,4)  ZERO HOUR {0}{H}

15 Cut melon supply to Black American who is too friendly with whites (5,3) UNCLE TOM*

16 Colt's an example of sporting gun suitable for everyone old! (8) UNGULATE {GUN}{U}{LATE}

17 Married his hairy maiden, has turned into quite a mess! (8) MISHMASH {M}{HIS*}{M}{HAS*}

19 Bold cyber-criminal wanting hot sponsor (6) BACKER {B}{hACKER}

21 Revoke work breaks in modern port (6) NEGATE {NEw}{GATE}

22 Put up with bad run leading to positive change in fortune (6) UPTURN {PUT*}{RUN*}

Reference List

Time = T, Alien = ET, Right = R, Small = S, Charlie = C, 0 = Zero, H = HOUR, Suitable for everyone = U, Married = M, Maiden = M, Bold = B, Hot = H, Work = W

No 14945, Wednesday 11 Nov 2026, Pixie Dust

Solution to 23A 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

7   Bit of torn slip leads to panic (6) TERROR {Torn}{ERROR}

8   Does this rigged deal upset Poet Judo's Pub? (3-2,3) PUT-UP JOB {PUT UP JOB+DOES}*=POET+JUDOS+PUB [CA]

9   One key? (8) CARDINAL [DD]

10 Section of Noble Antony's outhouse (4-2) LEAN-TO [T]

11 Say 25 sheets describing early signs of a General Manager's predicament (8) QUAGMIRE {QU{A}{Ge...l}{Ma...r}}IRE}

12 A teen behind every other Roman Epic? (6) AENEID {A+tEeN+bEhInD}

13 Option via net? (11) ALTERNATIVE {VIA+NET}* Letter Bank

18 Fabricate greasepaint (4-2) MAKE-UP [DD]

20 Witness (butler) led by old bishop (8) OBSERVER {SERVER}<=>{O}{B}

22 Evil spirit consuming Rector's soulmate (6) FRIEND {F{R}IEND}

23 Ancient history about the sly one in flood (8) O?E?F?O? 

24 Begad! Get rye sandwiches! Works? (8) GADGETRY [T]

25 Some nickname citizens circulating for thief (6) ICEMAN [T<=]

DOWN

1   Control extremely ambiguous American spyware (7) PEGASUS {PEG}{Am...uS}{US}

2   Reckless champ like Pacino, for one (8) PRODIGAL {PRO}{DIG}{AL}

3   Urbanite mysteriously losing a Tesla in country (6) BRUNEI URBaNItE*

4   Dependable celebrity going around breaking law, finally caught (8) STALWART {ST{LAW*}AR}{c...hT}

5   Hurt after model left of capital of Portugal in anxiety (6) SPRAIN {S(-t+p)PRAIN}

6   Buffalo! I cannot accommodate (7) CONTAIN*

8   Openly tag repeatedly to find Friend Geller's interest? (13) PALAENTOLOGY {OPENLY+TAG}* Letter Bank

14 Hurry! Shortly reject horrible diet (8) EXPEDITE {EXPEl}{DIET*}

15 Truly curt, I fire criminal checker (8) VERIFIER {VERy}{I+FIRE}* 

16 The Reverend asks for Pixie in part of golf course? (7) FAIRWAY (~where fay to fairway)

17 Female adores fancy headwear (7) FEDORAS {F}{ADORES}*

19 Come out and enjoy moonlit evenings, romantic, gloriously enchanting to begin with (6) EMERGE Acrostic Semi&lit

21 Bet that is small change (6) SPECIE {SPEC}{IE}

Reference List

Old = O, Bishop = B, Rector = R, Model = T, Female = F, Bet = SPEC

No 14944, Tuesday 10 Nov 2026, Pixie Dust

Solution to 14D 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

7   Some bishop at hospital? Tragedy (6) PATHOS [T]

8   True! This footwear binder damages a Hercules toe? (8) SHOELACE {SHOELACE+TRUE}*=A HERCULES TOE [CA]

9   Finally 'Club XXIII India ' in Dehradun, Bengaluru, Agra call for an event occurring twice in a year (8) BIANNUAL Tail acrostic

10 Country delivered oil (6) GREECE (~grease)

11 Tailor had cross-braided rope (4,4) SASH-CORD*

12 Frankly Oscar (writer) liberal and young-at-heart from the beginning (6) OPENLY {O}{PEN}{L}{Yo...t}

13 How sprites become experts? (4,7)  HIGH PRIESTS {SPRITES}* [RA]

18 Picked up sluggish weapon for war cry (6) SLOGAN (~slow gun)

20 City mess bizarrely is widely prevalent (8) SYSTEMIC*

22 Atrocious cycling around Spooner reversing suddenly, say (6) ADVERB {(-b)AD(+b)B} over {REV<=}

23 Pixie Dust is putting on an act in August (8) IMPOSING {I'M}{POSING}

24 Wake up call? (8) BIRDSONG [CD]

25 To a great extent Girish Sir goes around like a monster (6) OGRISH [T<=]

DOWN

1   Discovered image, nice, calm and fascinating (7) MAGICAL {iMAGe}{nICe}{cALm}

2   Capture large city (8) SHANGHAI [DD]

3   Early glimpses of exclusive silver coin used during olden-times (6) ESCUDO Acrostic Semi-&lit

4   Bloomer! It looks like a dog, Mitt! (8) FOXGLOVE {FOX}{GLOVE}

5   Rob filmed Emcees periodically (6) FLEECE {FiLmEd+EmCeEs}

6   Diamonds could heartlessly become frosty (3-4) ICE-COLD {ICE}{COuLD}

8   Glad, resin is frequently used in sauce? (5,8) SALAD DRESSING {GLAD+RESIN}* Letter Bank 

14 Spooner's gang to catch guide? (8) H?N?B?O? (Addendum HANDBOOK (~band hook to handbook) - Se comments)

15 Unfortunately rusty era for the bank (8) TREASURY*

16 Fictional hero! A boy close to Princess- basically naive (7) ALADDIN {A}{LAD}{DI}{Na..e}

17 See Red going around Thailand on ship (7) WITNESS {WI{T}NE}{SS}

19 Girl's frail and ravenous (6) GREEDY {G}{REEDY}

21 Drain components of useless iPhone (6) SIPHON [T]

Reference List

Oscar = O, Liberal = L, Diamond = ICE, Princess = DI, Red = WINE, Thailand = T, Ship = SS, Girl = G

Special, Monday 09 Nov 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)

Grid will be updated with solutions after 4 PM.

Starred (*) clues are themed and have no definitions

Enjoy.

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 81, Sunday 08 Nov 2026, Gussalufz

HAPPY DIWALI

Rangoli by Gowri

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)

(20+22)/2=4?

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

ACROSS

1   Special fast bowler holds a humanities degree, that's key (5-3) SPACE-BAR {S}{PACE{BA}R}

6   Passage of life? Yes, tragicomically whimsical to the limit (6) FEYEST [T]

9   Can Jack have husband instead of wife? (4) JOHN {J}{O(-w+h)HN}

10 GPS icon was incorrectly placed in cutting-edge devices (6,4) COPING SAWS*

11 USA sent force regularly, after revolution in upland in Canada (6) COTEAU {UsA+sEnT+fOrCe}

12 Debt overwhelming? Ready with bankruptcy? What, too chicken? (1,4,3) I DARE YOU {I{READY*}OU}

13 Star in show is fabulously hot, I'll bet — inspiring chappie, essentially (3,3,4) TOP THE BILL {HOT+ILL+BET}* over {chaPpie}

15 Trick guy in third place, doing a 180? (4) DUPE DU(-d+p)PE

17 Saccharin oddly omitted in ingredient from Brazil (4) ACAI sAcChArIn

18 Stylish, strong male (not European) at sea, afloat, having taken uniform off (10) FLAMBOYANT {F}{MALe+}*{BuOYANT}

20 Rhythmic sound from disturbance in Bermuda Triangle's western edge (8) DRUMBEAT {BERMUDA+Tr...e}*

22 What a healthier plate might have, for example? (6) LESSON {LESS ON} [C&DD]

24 View from two perspectives of Gita — simple, uninhibited (5,5) SPLIT IMAGE*

26 Space-dweller does not have a legal claim on property (4) LIEN aLIEN

27 Well, son, call after parking (6) SPRING {S} and {RING}<=>{P}

28 University is boring — travelling on to gig, unreserved (8) OUTGOING {U} in {ON+TO+GOG}*

DOWN

2   Reduced price, including going off to zoo exhibits of earliest life forms (9) PROTOZOIC {PRICe}* over {TO+ZOO}*

3   Once a perishing craft (5) CANOE*

4   For second-rate, revolting service, employ ... (7) BECAUSE {B}{{ACE<=}{USE}

5   ... vet demoted four times as punishment? (3) RAP {VutsR+EdcbA+TsrqP}

6   Forget about crazy man's admiring letters (3,4) FAN MAIL {FA{MAN*}IL}

7   Very recently, dearest, roughly within two years (9) YESTERDAY {Y}{DEAREST*}{Y}

8   Took responsibility for the quoted opening of Jabberwocky, over and over (3,2) SAW TO {T'WAS<=}{O}

12 Counterfeit in ATM? It must be rigged (7) IMITANT*

14 Short bits of unimportant details about, um, religious instruction for some Roman officials (9) TRIUMVIRI {TRI{UM}VIa}{RI}

16 Step in to be analysed internally for potentially flatulent American food item (5,4) PINTO BEAN [T]

18 Sense of escape on vacation embodied by casual affair (7) FEELING {F{Es..pE}LING}

19 Most audacious, most appropriate bottles — vintage! (7) BOLDEST {B{OLD}EST}

21 Grips cups without protective sleeves to cut paper (3,2) RIP UP {gRIPs}{cUPs}

23 Attack universal voting selectively (5) SALVO [T]

25 Use the toilet behind one's back (3) AGO {GO}<=>{A}

Reference List

Special = S, Jack = J, Husband = H, Wife = W, Debt = IOU, Strong = F, Uniform = U, Son = S, Parking = P, University = U, Second-rate = B, Year = Y, Over = O, Religious Instruction = RI

No 14943, Saturday 07 November 2026, Saral

 ACROSS
7 Will unwrapped hoarding roughly (6) ORDAIN {hOARDINg}*
8 Extremely nice craftwork on large excellent band (8) NECKLACE {NicE}{CraftworK}{L}{ACE}

9 Flier skiing casually around fellow leading that woman (10) KINGFISHER {SKIING*} around F+HER

10 Press withdrawing some section originally (4) IRON [T<]
11 Double dealing in gamble with king on ace against amateur in retreat (8) BETRAYAL {BET}{R}{A}{LAY<}
12 Colour of stylish work outfit principally (6) INDIGO {IN}{DIG}{Outfit}
13 Very similar building opposite with a primarily aesthetic natural design (3,4,2,1,3) TWO PEAS IN A POD {OPPOSITE+W+A+Aesthetic Natural Design}*
16 Cleric from Italy entering book store (6) BISHOP {B}{I}{SHOP}
18 Perfect small round instrument next to sailor (8) ABSOLUTE {S}{O}{LUTE}<=>{AB}
21 Partly cook ravioli vegetable (4) OKRA [T]

22 Exceptional and fantastic rugs in spas (10) SURPASSING*
23 Asked enrolled nurse about splitting money (8) ENQUIRED {EN}{QUI{RE}D}
24 At work ordering donut at the end of day (2,4) ON DUTY {DONUT*}{daY}

DOWN
1 Line cutting two diamonds that produces smoky effect (3,3) DRY ICE {D}{RY}{ICE}
2 Jumper damaging organ during tree climbing (8) KANGAROO {ORGAN*} in {OAK<}

3 Hatred and wickedness killing men (6) ENMITY {ENorMITY}
4 Stinger spreading poison finally toxic vapour (8) SCORPION {POISON+toxiC+vapouR}*

5 Joined everyone with papers outside office at last (6) ALLIED {ALL}{I{officE}D}
6 Bill preparing food essentially egg for Arnab, say (3,2,3) ACT OF GOD {ACT}{FOOD+eGg}*
8 Hero sold brand actively without restrictions (2,5,6) NO HOLDS BARRED*
13 Sets bar with layers having one cake regularly (8) THICKENS {T}{H{I}{CaKe}ENS}
14 Former model bored by old city promotion (8) EXPOSURE {EX}{POS{UR}E}
15 Friend with fresh ideas for defence (8) PALISADE {PAL}{IDEAS*}

17 Not starting shiatsu, relaxing in interval (6) HIATUS {sHIATSU*}
19 Follow husband in blue with old wife (6) SHADOW {S{H}AD}{O}{W}
20 Rules of European occupying temporary shelters (6) TENETS {TEN{E}TS}

REFERENCE LIST

Large=L, Fellow=F, King=R(Rex), Ace=A, With=W, Italy=I, Book=B, Small=S, Round=0=O, Sailor=AB, Enrolled Nurse=EN, About=Re, Diamond=D, Men=OR(Other Ranks), Papers=ID, Bar=T, Husband=H, Old=O, Wife=W, European=E.

No 14942, Friday 06 Nov 2026, Karaoke

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   Tries vigorously at school, writes exam again (6) RESITS {TRIES*}{S}

4   Enjoy yourself, fix one base, in retreat? (4,2,2) LIVE IT UP {PUT}{1}{EVIL}<=

10 Small drink accepted in theatre (5) DRAMA {DRAM}{A}

11 Healthy and smart figure secures record (2,3,4) IN THE PINK {IN}{TH{EP}INK}

12 Fair share for an exhibit on display (9) SHOWPIECE {SHOW}{PIECE}

13 Confidential assistants’ words spoken in undertone carry no substance mainly (5) AIDES AsIDES

14 Destructive tide engulfed people with advanced mental illness (8) DEMENTIA {DE{MEN}TI*}{A}

15 Greek letter of death, maybe time to say goodbye to dead (5) THETA {dEATH}*<=>{T}

18 Like in support for badger (5) TEASE {TE{AS}E}

20 Air strike — It produces sound (5,3) VOICE BOX {VOICE}{BOX}

23 Eight kill people belonging to the family for food! (5) PASTA PAkiSTAn

25 Reviewed in theory about climax of sex hormone produced within body (9) THYROXINE {IN+THEORY}* over {seX}}

26 Childless woman ran up a hill leaving husband in distress (9) NULLIPARA {RAN+UP+A+hILL}*

27 Ultimately yoghurt, cucumber, chilli, masala, pudina mixed in Indian dish (5) RAITA {y...rT+c...eR+c...lI+m...lA+p...nA}* Semi&lit

28 It’s a mockery to wear a waistcoat to go outside (8) TRAVESTY {TR{A}{VEST}Y}

29 Charm a rring? (6) APPEAL {A}{PPEAL}

DOWN

1   This vegetable is in hard shape (6) RADISH {RAD{IS}H*}

2   Father after taking drug boards plane with associate to watch series of episodes (4,5) SOAP OPERA {POP}{E} in {SOAR}{A}

3   Stamp of artist inscribed in place of worship erasing signature at the end (7) TRAMPLE {T{RA}eMPLE}

5   Expecting to lose pool regularly, what if I play foolishly with money? (2,3,6,3) IN THE FAMILY WAY {WHAT+IF+I+pLAY+MoNEY}*

6   Stylish English cricket side gets tan unfortunately (7) ELEGANT {E}{LEG}{TAN*}

7   Trustworthy group of three killed associate for espionage primarily (5) TRIED TRI(-a+e)ED

8   Country that takes pains criminally to release extremists on borders (8) PAKISTAN {TAKes+PAINS}*

9   Passage from a periodical, one to examine by rule and law (9,5) DIGESTIVE TRACT {DIGEST}{1}{VET}{R}{ACT}

16 Coteries used to induce independent and arouse invitingly (9) EROTICISE {COTERIES}* over {I}

17 Hurry up. Break set point (4,2,2) STEP ON IT*

19 Vague and almost bad budget rejected (7) EVASIVE {EVIl}{SAVE}<=

21 Some tapir to get around seeking attention (3-4) EGO-TRIP [T<=]

22 Release knight from lock up on bail finally in particular (6) DETAIL {DETAIn}{baiL}

24 As long as possible, perform dance to this music (5) SALSA {AS+L+AS}*

Reference List

School = S, Accepted = A, Record = EP(Extended Play), Dead = D, Time = T, Support = TEE, Husband = H, Drug = E, Associate = A, Artist = RA, English = E, Cricket side = LEG, Rule = R, Independent = I, Long = L

No 14941, Thursday 05 Nov 2026, Avtaar

Solution to 18A 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   It is like hell when husband's fired by present coach (6) EREBUS {hERE}{BUS}

5   Yankee tie, crest and official garments (5-3) STAND-OFF [T]

9   Dope is worthless - contains adulterated musk (8) NUMSKULL {N{MUSK*}ULL}

10 Double-woven blouse, extremely lacy, worn by women (3-3) TWO-PLY TOP}{LacY} over {W}

11 Bubbly unopened alcohol is toted after the start in sign of childhood camaraderie (3,6,3) OLD SCHOOL TIE {aLCOHOL+IS+tOTED}*

13 Ducks in a row? (4) PAIR [CD]

14 12 eggs found in nobleman's jacket - issue being reviewed (8) NOONTIME {00} in {No...aN}{EMIT<=}

17 Vocal and essentially cynical freak subject to emotional fits (8) VOLCANIC {VOCAL+cyNICal}*

18 75% of 14 is 5 less? (4) N?N?  (Addendum - NINE  (3/3*12)=9=(14-5) [DD] - See comments)

20 Reserve hospital taken over by sick senior civil servant? (6-6) OFFICE-HOLDER {ICE}{H} in {OFF}{OLDER}

23 Actor undressed completely going for a vivid Asian wrap (6) SARONG {S{ActoR}ONG} (Correction S(-T+a)ARONG - See comments)

24 Restraining covert operation about suffering (8) STILLING {ST{ILL}ING}

25 Bust without head, feels very hard (8) SEVERELY {fEELS+VERY}*

26 Time for cold drink and sweet (6) TOFFEE (+t-c)TOFFEE

DOWN

2   Hammer ball into channel (4) ROUT {R{O}UT}

3   See black rat entering complex seconds away from crisis (9) BISHOPRIC {B} and {SHOP} in {CRIsIs}*

4   Obstinate Republican boards train (6) STURDY {STU{R}DY}

5   Silly Conservative focuses on reforms with intense third party scrutiny (4-11) SELF-CONSCIOUSLY {SILLY+C+FOCUSES+ON}*

6   Class of anemones cultured in a zoo that wants it (8) ANTHOZOA {iN+A+ZOO+THAt}*}

7   All orderlies in retreat drinking rum (5) DROLL [T<=]

8   British daily featuring extremely unusual, shortened clip on soldiers' execution (10) FULFILMENT {FT} over {Un...aL}{FILm}{MEN}

12 Reached outside old University with standard mask (10) CAMOUFLAGE {CAM{O}{U}{FLAG}E}

15 Instruction for band members in centrefold, briefly edited (5,4) TENOR CLEF CENTREFOLd*

16 First to go out, believing bum's sweet talk (8) INVEIGLE bELIEVING*

19 Aimless commercial break (6) ADRIFT {AD}{RIFT}

21 1-0; United (2,3) IN ONE {1}{NONE}

22 Regularly connected in the past (4) ONCE {cOnNeCtEd}

Reference List

Husband = H, Women = W, Reserve = ICE, Hospital = H, Time = T, Cold = C, Black = B, Rat = SHOP, Second = S, Republican = R, Conservative = C, Soldiers = MEN, Old = O, University = U, Commercial = AD

No 14940, Wednesday 04 Nov 2026, Hypatia

Solution to 20A 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   Play fine part briefly - extremely iconic (6) FROLIC {F}{ROLe}{Ic..iC}

9   Merchants on the net using real site (8) ETAILERS*

10 Lots of restrictions on department made redundant by outsourcing (10) BANGALORED {BAN}{GALORE}{D} Lots or Lot? POS Error?

11 Basically every villain is legitimately wicked (4) EVIL Acrostic

12 Cheesy style of posh folk visiting city with money (2,6)  AU GRATIN {A{U}GRA}{TIN}

14 Arrested and posted by leader, moving a step ahead (6) NAILED (-m+n)NAILED

15 Lover and acquaintance entered by porch (7) VERANDA [T]

17 Dad gathering items for hobby (7) PASTIME {PA}{ITEMS*}

20 Sharply criticise one distorting opinion? (6) ?K?W?R (Addendum - SKEWER [DD] - See comments) 

22 America fighting war mostly leads to inequitable arrangement (1,3,4) A RAW DEAL {A}{RAW+LEADs}*

24 Beam in round cycles (4) GRIN (+g)GRIN(-g)

25 Check in and back off (7,3) CHICKEN OUT {CHECK+IN}* [RA]

27 Stench of onion, initially eaten by guy - almost forbidding (5) MALODOUR {On..n} in {MALe}{DOUR}

28 Dismissed former English parliamentarian close to cabinet (6) EXEMPT {EX}{E}{MP}{c...eT}

DOWN

1   Hold dear darling (8) TREASURE [DD]

2   Primarily slimy, like ugly garden creature (4) SLUG Acrostic Semi&lit

3   Occasionally touch Elliott's cat (6) OCELOT {tOuCh+ElLiOtTs}

4   Spooner's smelly bag charm, say (7) KEYRING (reeking to key ring)

5   Najeeb and Ann always wearing headscarf (8) BANDANNA [T]

6   Relieved engineer in vital deal abroad (10) ALLEVIATED* {E} in {VITAL+DEAL}*

7   Maverick actor's voyage (6) CRUISE [DD]

13 Stern woman whose husband died bored by new movie (4,6) REAR WINDOW {REAR}{WI{N}DOW}

16 IT record encrypted for supervisor (8) DIRECTOR*

18 My bad clue: "A map unfolds" (3,5) MEA CULPA* I somehow hate this wxpression. Do we have a 'My Good' also :-) ?

19 Some retiring from the RBI lack competence (7) CALIBRE [T<=]

21 After dusk, frequently picked up small ethnic outfits (6) KURTAS {AfTeR+dUsK<=}{S}

23 Jewellery taken out worn by girl ultimately (6) ANKLET {ANK{girL}ET*}

26 Newcomer agitated this tree crow (4) NEEM {NEEM+CROW}*=NEWCOMER

Reference List

Fine = F, Posh folk = U, Money = TIN, English = E, Engineer = E, New = N, Small = S

No 14939, Tuesday 03 Nov 2026, Hypatia

Solution to 25A 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   Former partner not completely inflexible about engaging with sweetheart (2-4) EX-WIFE {FIXEd<=} over {W} and {swEet}

4   Leaders in power saw disheartened youngsters inspiring fashionable visionaries (8) PSYCHICS {Po..r}{Saw}{Yo...rS} over {CHIC}

9   Measure regal London homes (6) GALLON [T]

10 Tough working on his goal after leaving school (8)  HOOLIGAN {ON+HIs+GOAL}*

11 So, each goes in lost cause (4,5,5)  WILD GOOSE CHASE {SO+EACH+GOES}* [RA]

13 Assign fee (10) COMMISSION [DD]

14 Pair of setters in viral image (4) MEME {ME}{ME}

16 Starts from trio unexpectedly blowing air instrument (4) TUBA Acrostic

18 Irreverently, loud sass beginning to provoke worker, largely discontented (10) FLIPPANTLY {F}{LIP}Pr...e}{ANT}{La...lY}

21 What Houdini might have said when denied permission to perform (2,5,3,4) MY HANDS ARE TIED [C&DD]

23 Regretted about magazine's last piece on topless girl published again (8) REISSUED {R{m...nE}{mISS}UED}

24 Author's copy in both ends of store (6) SCRIBE {Sto{CRIB}rE}

25 First knight ringing maiden had to propose (8) N?M?N?T? (Addendum NOMINATE {NO{M}1}{N}{ATE} - See comments)

26 Often reviewed lead genres by geographical area (6) BENGAL {LeAd_GeNrEs+By<=}

DOWN

1   Advantage earned during game especially at the outset (4) EDGE Acrostic

2   With 22 Down, legendary hero shall report around one in the morning (7,4) WILLIAM TELL {WILL}{TELL} over {1 AM}

3   Bright student barging into meals getting drunk (8) FLOODLIT {F{L}OOD}{LIT}

5   Without question, extremely sensuous blouse's a sensation (11) SHOWSTOPPER {HOW} in {Se...oS} and {TOP}{PER}

6   Local icon's clothing material (6) CALICO [T]

7   Batting by reportedly huge person with no appreciation (7) INGRATE {IN}{(~great)GRATE}

8   Therefore, trust in earnest (9) SINCERELY {SINCE}{RELY}

12 Rudely boos the French fragrance that's out of date (11) OBSOLESCENT {BOOS*}{LE}{SCENT}

13 A new tarmac made to accommodate a vessel (9) CATAMARAN {A+N+TARMAC}* over {A}

15 Trace lake submerged in section with frozen water (8) PARTICLE {PART}{IC{L}E}

17 Faith of some oddly following Arab nation mostly lacking resistance (7) BAHAISM {SoMe}<=>{BAHrAIn}

19 Fruitful working together as a set in broadcast (7) TEEMING (~teaming)

20 Quentin's found frequently in concert (6) UNISON {qUeNtInS+fOuNd}

22 See 2 Down

Reference List

With = W, School = S, Loud = L, Knight = N, Maiden = M, Student = L, The in French = LE, New = N, Lake = L, Resistance = R