No 14859, Thursday 30 Jul 2026, Karaoke

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   Rain around Eastern Colorado's top desert (6) DECAMP D{E}{Co...o}AMP} Rain/Damp?

4   One with highest technical skills developed virus too (8) VIRTUOSO*

9   Russian capital in distress over time (6) ROUBLE tROUBLE

10 Highly poisonous substances concocted in extremely deadly case (8) CYANIDES {IN+De..lY+CASE}*

12 Animal worker at restaurant leaving early finally (8) ANTEATER {ANT}{EATERy}

13 Agree to cheat copper and inspector at last (6) CONCUR {CON}{CU}{i...oR}

15 Touch on cycle, it is forbidden (4) TABU (+t)TABU(-t)

17 Trying to endure mobs in a riot (10) BURDENSOME {BURDENSOME}*

19 Spooner's rodent loathes those who share accommodation (10) HOUSEMATES (~mouse hates to housemates)

20 Brought end of page to the head for insect (4) FLEA (+f)FLEA(-f)

23 50% of seed gets fruit. Cool (6) SEDATE {SEed}{DATE}

24 Wonder drug taken after drink in a bar (8) RUMINATE {E}<=>{RUM}{IN}{A}{T}

27 Somewhere in Australia, a detailed plan missed initial targets (8) ADELAIDE {A}{DEtAILED}*

28 Free service first with your personal credentials (4-2) USER-ID {RID}<=>{USE}

29 Performing sex daily? It impairs your intellectual competence! (8) DYSLEXIA*

30 He was loved by Aphrodite mainly to carry out crime in retreat (6) ADONIS {Ap...e}{DO}{SIN<=}

DOWN

1   Sleeping gatekeeper forgot old coat at the close (7) DORMANT {DOoRMAN}{coaT}

2   Cocaine runs around in the open bar (5) C?U?T ()

3   Think over a chief hermit. He is a scholar in sacred law (6) MULLAH {MULL}{A}{He...t}

5   Primarily it describes your love for poem on pastoral subjects (4) IDYL Acrostic

6   12:50, in all probability? (3,2,3) TEN TO ONE [DD/Rebus]

7   Traditional type of class, not new to teach (3,6) OLD SCHOOL [C&DD]

8   Keep an eye on old boy with premier Scotch bottle with hidden name (7) OBSERVE {OB}{Sc...h}{nERVE}

11 Worldly cryptic clues by a setter in the finale (7) SECULAR {CLUES*}{A}{s...eR}

14 What batsman did before going to bat, dropping cap finally, made sense (5,2) ADDED UP {pADDED UP}

16 Vast group abducted old ship (9) BOUNDLESS  {B{O}UNDLE}{SS}

18 Feel about water shortage desperately in oppressive weather (8) HEATWAVE {HAVE} over {WATEr}*

19 Manager spent hours regularly with orchestra (7) HUSBAND {HoUrS}{BAND}

21 Minister abruptly got upset over plans of action (7) AGENDAS {AGENt}{SAD<=}

22 One-sided? I like to be in a place to sleep (6) BIASED {B}{I}{AS}ED}

25 Old hand in an area on stage before the curtain (5) APRON {A{PRO}N}

26 I'll admit often about some breakfast item (4) IDLI {IlL+aDmIt}<=

Reference List

Eastern = E, Time = T, Drug = E, Bar = T, Old = O, Old boy = OB, Name = N, Ship = SS

No 14858, Wednesday 29 July 2026, Gussalufz

Artwork by Prasanna

Solution to 19A 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.

The Truth, Eric?

ACROSS

1   Everybody who's ruled regularly (5) WORLD {WhOs+RuLeD}

4   Piano finale in Sholay, amidst Gabbar getting shot and beheaded (4,5) BABY GRAND {s...aY} in {GABBAR}*{aND}

9   Salamander all too excited about kiss (7) AXOLOTL {ALL+TOO}* over {X}

10 Sorcerers with headless reptiles (7) WIZARDS {W}{lIZARDS}

11 I'll tell Betty it's cooked slowly (6,2,6) LITTLE BY LITTLE*

12 Standard from Ronaldo—scored on both sides upon returning (4) NORM [T<=]

13 Fruit vending station software on phone essentially stalled and rejected touch (5-4) APPLE-CART  {APP}{staLled}{TRACE<=}

17 They hurt refusers badly, inspiring a dash of fear (9) SUFFERERS {REFUSERS}* over {Fear}

19 Main man in the woman's heart (4) ?E?O ()

22 What someone said, as reported in bleak court records backing filed copy (8,6) INDIRECT SPEECH {IN}{DIRE}{CT}{EPS<=}{ECHo} 

25 Was easy to relocate shipping routes (7) SEAWAYS*

26 Perhaps one by poet Eliot? No withdrawing in front of audience! (7)  ONSTAGE {AGE} by {TS}{NO}<= (Correction {EG}{A}{TS}{NO}<= - See comments)

27 Feral spy moving around quietly with thin, attractive agents of death (9) FLYPAPERS {FERAL+SPY}* over {P}

28 Procedure decimated pests (5) STEPS*

DOWN

1   Wife in lake, swimming next to grandsons on vacation (they're not very strong) (9) WEAKLINGS {W}{IN+LAKE}*{Gr...nS}

2   Bird in kangaroo's territory (7) ROOSTER [T]

3   Meadow-grazer eating weathered old drawing (6) DOODLE {DO{OLD*}E}

4   With two lips, a bit able, somehow, to hold beedi's end (9) BILABIATE {A+BIT+ABLE}* over {b..dI} 

5   Joint recycling and waste processing centre? (5) BOWEL (+el)ELBOW(-el) 

6   Watch test while skimming newspapers (8) GAZETTES {GAZE}{TEST}*

7   Trailer, U/A-certified, reviewed: shows harmless jellyfish (7) AURELIA [T<=]

8   Record example of single-hop Caesar cipher mapping? (4) DISC [DD] (Addendum D is C - See comments)

14 Places medicines outside upwardly mobile infants' limits (9) POSITIONS {PO{In...tS<=}TIONS}

15 Let's shoot randomly? That's ineffective (9) TOOTHLESS*

16 Adventures in a tavern featuring Greek wine (8) RESINATA [T]

18 Dream lover, stay through storm! (7) FANTASY {FAN}{STAY}*

20 Cheer a tense, boring cricket team, mostly (7) ELEVATE {A}{T} in {ELEVEn}

21 Resorts to extremes of malicious attacks (6) SPASMS {SPAS}{Ma...uS}

23 Follow Peruvian river around American country to the north (5) ENSUE {E{US}NE}<=

24 Former Kent captain, Iqbal from Pakistan? No chance! (2,2) AS IF {ASIF}

Reference List

Kiss = X, With = W, Quietly = P, Wife  = W, Tense = T

No 14857, Tuesday 28 Jul 2026, Avtaar

Solution to 26A 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   Relatives rejected incentives to accept work (7) SPOUSES {SOPS<=} over {USE}

5   Cataract patient stabbed by rogue (7) CASCADE {CAS{CAD}E}

9   Bottega in Florence had couch in front of reception (7) ATELIER {ATE}{LIE}{Re...n}

10 Bond's race to arrest KGB's head free of violence, ultimately (7) LINKAGE {LINe{Kgb}AGE}

11 Possibly informal document reflecting on media losing power in Delaware (5,4) DRESS CODE {DOC<=}<=>{pRESS} in {DE}

12 Hassle to get rid of phosphorus compound found in perfumes (5)  ESTER pESTER

13 Civilian lawyer in Saudi? (5) MUFTI [DD]

15 Body in the open - alarming murder? (9) SCARECROW {SCARE}{CROW}

17 What removes moisture from soiled soft rinsed clothing rapidly after draining? (4,5) SPIN DRYER {P+RINSED}* over {Ra...lY} Semi&lit

19 Swimmers going back to get a bit of practice and rest (5) SLEEP {EELS<=}{Pr...e}

22 Perhaps Indian sent back from China economising (5) OCEAN [T<=]

23 Fabric 's restyling cut most of return (9) STRUCTURE {'S}{CUT+RETURn}

25 Sustained energy of revolutionary instigates killing spree at the end (7) STAMINA ANIMATeS<=

26 Take rook with rook conceding lead (7) D?C?I?E ()

      Kid daughter let in, breaking rule (7) DECEIVE (-r+d)DECEIVE - See comments   

27 Company backs probing fellow escaping from spare suite (7) RETINUE {UNIT<=} in {fREE}

28 Prepare to visit old East European religious scholar (7) EXEGETE {GET} in {EX}{E}{E}

DOWN

1   Cool sneakers boosted hero's state (7) STARDOM {MOD}{RATS}<=

2   Feel son evolved without help (7) ONESELF*

3   Big shot turned up aboard in loafers (5) SPIVS {S{VIP<=}S}

4   Extremely old is surely exotic (9) SERIOUSLY  {O+IS+SURELY}*

5   Split iceberg left in pit (5) CALVE {CA{L}VE}

6   They cut below in sequence avoiding edges of icicle (9) SUNDERERS {UNDER} in {SERieS}

7   Electrical accessory in a mobile device mounted behind avoiding poles (7) ADAPTER {A}{PAD<=}{sTERn}

8   I caught crook hiding rupees in frontal arch close to temple? (7) EYEBROW {(~i)EYE}{B{R}OW}

14 Space at the beginning I intend to change before working (9) INDENTION {I}{INDENT}*{ON}

16 Flight link from peak in adjacent island to hill spanning British river (3,6) AIR BRIDGE   {Ad...t}{I} and {RIDGE} in {B}{R}

17 Surety's bankrupt charged by completely heartless nieces (7) SPONSOR {'S}{PO{Ni..eS}OR}

18 Muddled divorced spouse stopping in front (7) INEXACT {IN}{EX}{ACT}

20 Unique cross and clubs going missing - difficult to spot (7) ELUSIVE ExcLUSIVE

21 Introduce promotion covering start of exciting race on the radio (7) PRECEDE {PR}{Ex...g}{(~seed)CEDE}

23 Small step above room (5) SPACE {S}{PACE} What's the role of above?

24 Suspicion of theft dismissed by corner drug store (5) CACHE {CAtCH}{E}

Reference List

Couch = LIE, Power = P, Soft = P, Daughter = D, Rule = R, Fellow = F, Old = EX, East = E, European = E, Left = L, Rupees = R, Island = I, British = B, River = R, Divorced spouse = EX, Clubs = C, Promotion = PR, Small = S, Drug = E

No 14856, Monday 27 Jul 2026, Bruno

Solution to 6D 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

6  College's appeal to get girl fired causes uproar (7) CLAMOUR {C}{gLAMOUR}

7   Upset as Southern township disappears mysteriously (7) UNHORSE SOUtHERN* Township/T ?

9   Artificial intelligence confuses oil for sauce (5) AIOLI {AI}{OIL*}

10 Yahoo taken in by scoundrel here regularly, that bird-brain! (9) CHICKADEE {C{HICK}AD}{hErE} What's the role of 'brain'?

11 Green sea bubbles round America — with no form (7) GASEOUS {G}{SEA*}{O}{US}

13 Improve menu by removing first item — and putting in place on the counter (4,2) TUNE UP {PU{mENU}T}<=

15 Engine's top injures people often, when falling (3,10) JET PROPULSION {TOP+INJURES+PeOpLe}*

19 Communist seems exposed giving pay off (6) REDEEM {RED}{sEEMs}

20 City girl mostly surrounded by girls outside work (7) GLASGOW {G}{LASs}{G}{O}{W}

23 Encourage counterfeit notes, essentially to be hidden (9) STIMULATE {S{noTes}IMULATE}

24 It might bail out one? (5) ALIBI {BAIL}*<=>{A} Semi&lit

26 Hint of hardness in one building material (7) SHINGLE {S{Ha...s}INGLE}

27 With Siri, this Christmas symbol can be arranged religiously (4,3) YULE LOG {YULE LOG+SIRI}*=RELIGIOUSLY [CA]

DOWN

1   Root of black oppression, mainly (4) TARO {TAR}{Op...n}

2   One could start a chain reaction in fashion - I'm oddly aroused (6) DOMINO [T<=]

3   Rigour in case of emergency arising during prison riots (9) PRECISION {ICE<=} in {PRISON}*

4   Jars of drinks containing fish (5-3) SHAKE-UPS {S{HAKE}UPS}

5   Dancer's goal — release a sad lullaby (10)  CRADLESONG {DANCERS+GOaL}*

6   Mission: convert neutral to become radical (6) C?A?G? (Addendum CHARGE CHA(-n+r)RGE - See comments)

7   One money for all boomerangs (4) UNIT {TIN}{U}<=

8   Free of former partner's influence, sweetheart's finally liberated (6) EXEMPT {EX}{tEMPT}

12 One has to stay under that quietly during idle times, perhaps (5,5) SPEED LIMIT {P} in {IDLE+TIMES}*

14 Famous psychiatrist's support led to setter's recovery — it's a childhood thing (6,3) JUNGLE GYM {JUNG}{LEG}{MY<=}

16 Jump to conclusion that half of jury is consumed by power and greed when assembled (8) PREJUDGE {JUry} in {P}{GREED*}

17 Credit is India's major problem (6) CRISIS {CR}{IS}{I'S}

18 Morning — daylight's beginning to come off canopy (6) AWNING dAWNING

21 Fertile horse with large, great heart (6) ARABLE {ARAB}{L}{grEat}

22 Very alcoholic drink... causes depression (4) VALE {V}{ALE}

25 Lazy creep avoids society (4) IDLE sIDLE

Reference List

College = C, Girl = G, Yahoo = HICK, Green = G, Outside = O, Work = W, In case of emergency = ICE, Neutral = N, Radical = R, For all = U, Quietly = P, Power = P, Credit = CR, India = I, Horse = ARAB, Large = L, Very = V, Society = S

Special, Sunday 26 Jul 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 at 8 PM.

Enjoy.

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 66, Sunday 26 Jul 2026, Vidwan

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

8   Reveal it, without small act (6) EXPOSE {sEX}{POSE}

9   Help! Miss! Help! (8) HANDMAID {HAND}{MAID}

10 Fudge made with rare sugar from the Caribbean (8) DEMERARA {MADE+RARE}*

11 Dissidence as a result of this small British trading (6) HERESY HERE(-b+s)SY

12 One who teaches baroque art deco outside university? (8) EDUCATOR {ART+DECO}* over {U}

13 Country crossing line for Spain and Portugal (6) IBERIA lIBERIA

14 Hardback? (5) STERN [DD]

16 Most sensible thing about a barbarian (5) BEAST {BE{A}ST}

21 Criticises and pans! Could be snappiness! (6) SNIPES {SNIPES+PANS}*=SNAPPINESS [CA]  SNAPPINESS

23 Just an international body located outside India (8) UNBIASED {UN}{B{I}ASED}

25 Revolutionary shine and spirit (6) CHERUB {CHE}{RUB}

26 Victory for Norway! Five Star perhaps for creative discipline! (4,4) FINE ARTS {FI(-v+n)NE}{STAR}*

27 Victory to India’s ruling coalition! Alcohol regularly relished in Goa! (8) VINDALOO {V}{I}{NDA}{aLcOhOl}

28 Millions wanting rock singer with  high pitch (6) TREBLE TREmBLE

DOWN

1   Old sweetheart has an inclination for stretches (7) EXTENDS {EX}{TENDS}

2   Sulk over team lying about current shutdown (5,3) POWER CUT {PO{CREW<=}UT}

3   Mostly take care of a Bible holder (6) TENANT {TENd}{A}{NT}

4   Setting a model in that place (7) THEATRE {THE{A}{T}RE}

5   Preserve energy, note and run into light (8) ENSHRINE {E}{N}{SH{R}INE}

6   Issue schemer generally covers (6) EMERGE [T]

7   Ties of blood and skin, first to finish in style! (7) KINSHIP {(-s)KIN(+s)S}{HIP} 

15 US Midwest bluster withered over time (4,4) RUST BELT {BLUSTER}* over {T}

17 Audience notice better looking sailor (8) SEAFARER (~see fairer)

18 In essence, lunch ain’t free! (7) UNCHAIN [T]

19 Discharge pimp wasting time on backsliding womaniser (7) OUTFLOW {tOUT}{WOLF<=}

20 Drunk pal kept giving motivational address (3,4) PEP TALK*

22 Standard publicity over electronic display (6) PARADE {PAR}{AD}{E}

24 Bad smell surrounding old lousy egg fish (6)  BONITO {BO} over {O}{NIT}

Reference List

Small = S, British = B, University = U, Line = L, India = I, Revolutionary = CHE, Victory = V, Norway = N, Millions = M, Bible = NT(New Testament), Model = T, Energy = E, Note = N, Run = R, Time = T, Publicity = AD, Electronic = E, Bad smell = BO(Body odour), Old = O

No 14855, Saturday 25 July 2026, Hypatia

 ACROSS
8 Martial art in UK, from East spreading good fun (4,2) KUNG FU {UK<}{G FUN}*

9 Tickets in Universal cover O. Henry's plays (not old) (8) VOUCHERS {U CoVER O H'S}*
10 Censor sports during nice bull fights (4-6) BLUE-PENCIL PE in {NICE BULL}*
11 Couple in noisy clip (4) PAIR {~PARE}
12 Fine priest caught in romantic outing (8) DELICATE {ELI}{C} in DATE
14 Mother's sister lacking a day free (6) UNTIED {aUNTIE}{D} 
15 Animals having five enzymes originally in stomachs (7) BEAVERS BEARS around {V+Enzymes}

17 City in America choked by modern progress (7) CHICAGO {CHIC}{A}{GO}
20 About laymen saving expenses (6) OUTLAY [T]
22 Excuse for party (8) OCCASION [DD]
24 Extremely grateful and cheerful (4) GLAD {GratefuL}{AnD}
25 Brown girl stealing diamonds after greeting's unreliable (3-3-4) HIT-AND-MISS {TAN}{D}{MISS}<=>{HI}
27 Camel train meandering behind Persian taxi (8) BACTRIAN {CAB<}{TRAIN*} Persian=from right to left

28 Forces subordinates moving leader four steps ahead (6) POWERS {-l+P}POWERS L,M,N,O,P.

DOWN
1 Two students boarding vehicle look sweet (5,3) BULL'S EYE {BU{LL}S}{EYE}
2 Beginners in athletics generally use exercise to get fit (4) AGUE [Acrostic]
3 Triumphant cry frequently coming up in park near Pune (6) EUREKA {pArK nEaR pUnE}<
4 Booted new device taking time (7) EVICTED {DEVICE}* around T
5 Leave four rocks around line roughly in the middle (8) FURLOUGH {FOUR}* around L+{roUGHly}
6 Spooner checks birds - they are picked up for Chinese food (10) CHOPSTICKS Spoonerism of Stops Chicks

7 Entrance of road closed by small change becoming flatter (6) PRAISE {P{Road}AISE}
13 Revoke TADA in live broadcast (10) INVALIDATE*
16 Regular Trichy building surrounding every other home (8) RHYTHMIC {TRICHY}* around {HoMe}
18 Associate writing in shiny dictionary (8) GLOSSARY {GLOSS{A}{R}Y}
19 Satisfaction's // something internalised (7) CONTENT [DD]
21 Would app. supply drop quietly with transfer to cloud? (6) UPLOAD {wOULD APp}*
23 Appetiser in saucepan accidentally overturned (6) CANAPE [T<]

26 Catcalls from the show haters ultimately (4) MEWS [Tail Acrostic]

Reference List

Good=G, Universal=U, Old=O, Sports=PE (Physical Exercise), Caught=C, Day=D, Five=V, America=A, Diamonds=D, Student=L, Time=T, Associate=A, Writing=R, Quietly=P, With=W.

No 14854, Friday 24 Jul 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

8   Picked up a date in full-body suit (6) ONESIE (~ one see)

9   Essential food items for adolescents delivered (8) PROTEINS {PRO}{(~teens)TEINS}

10 Rock music without / with metal (8) SCANDIUM {SC{AND}IUM*}

11 Frequently reviewed math, sci though I understand you (6) GOTCHA {mAtH+sCi+ThOuGh<=}

12 Jailbird to assist guard (8) CONSERVE {CON}{SERVE}

13 Local travel mostly arranged before noon (6) TAVERN {TRAVEl}*{N}

14 Bohemian robe at Nike stores (7) BEATNIK [T]

17 Empty building housing most ancient astronomer (7) PTOLEMY {PT{OLd}EMY*}

20 Chiefly unselfish bonding using nobility to unify humanity (6) UBUNTU Acrostic Semi&lit

22 A tear circled face reflecting heated exchange (8) ARGUMENT {A}{R{MUG<]ENT}

25 Fair leader squirming in this scared reel (6) AFRAID  {AFRAID+REEL}*=FAIR LEADER [CA]

26 Initiates deals (5,3) LEADS OFF {DEALS}* [RA]

27 Retired soldier with army worn by death and rivalry (8) VENDETTA {VET}{TA}over {END}

28 Fancy student amidst new hires (6) RELISH {RE{L}ISH*}

DOWN

1   Cast enacted absorbing love story (8) ANECDOTE {ANECD{O}TE*}

2   Positions article controlled by likes (6) ASANAS {AS}{AN}{AS}

3   First Hispanic gent touring India (6) SENIOR {SEN{I}OR}

4   Junk mailer left rotting in jail for pigs primarily (7) SPAMMER S(-l+p)PAMMER

5   Some puff or get itchy? No way! (6,2) FORGET IT [T]

6   Siva left crackers for Diwali, perhaps (8) FESTIVAL*

7   Secure host for a TV show (6) ANCHOR [DD]

15 Regularly trains KIA's rides for liquid transporters (8) TANKARDS {TrAiNs+KiAs+RiDeS}

16 United Nations entering current engagement in flood (8) INUNDATE {IN}{UN}{DATE}

18 Clear display (8) MANIFEST [DD]

19 Spooner's put meat as ingredient in pulao (3,4) BAY LEAF (~lay beef to bay leaf)

21 One required to polish floor cushion (6) BUFFER  [DD]

23 Hard navigating grand city in skirt (6) GHAGRA {H} in {G}{AGRA}

24 Bits of mixed assorted spices adding lingering aroma! (6) MASALA Acrostic &lit

Reference List

Noon = N, Retired soldier = VET, Army = TA, Student = L, India = I, Current = IN, Hard = H, Grand = G

No 14853, Thursday 23 Jul 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 12A 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   Swilling hooch with boss in empty cubicle? There's no alternative (7,6) HOBSONS CHOICE {HOOCH+BOSS+IN}*{Cu...lE}

8   Controlled bronco finally in event for cowboys (5) RODEO {RODE}{b...cO}

9   One disparaging rebellious socialist penning essay on principle of ownership (9) DETRACTOR {RED<=} over {TRACT}{Ow...p}

11 Brilliant rounds against member in bridge (10) CANTILEVER {C{ANTI}LEVER}

12 Spirits in Japanese bar (4) ?I?N (Addendum - JINN {J}{INN} - See comments)

14 Holds member overwhelmed by drinks (7) ALLEGES {AL{LEG}ES}

16 Way to enthral date with excellent stir-fried noodle dish (3,4) PAD THAI {PA{D}TH}{A1}

17 Correctly limiting operation by Indigo, ultimately it's a form of market dominance (7) DUOPOLY {DU{OP}{i...gO}LY}

19 Remarking about hotel's mediocrity (7) NOTHING {NOT{H}ING}

21 Bond in tuxedo at hotel (4) OATH [T]

22 Meeting couple of criminals to secure Ecstasy before start of rave (10) CONFERENCE {CON}{F{E}{Rave}ENCE}

25 File, one with bugs primarily found in search for potentially harmful software (5,4) LOGIC BOMB {LOG}{1}{C{Bugs}OMB}

26 Declared independence, inspired by a revolutionary (5) AIRED {A}{I}{RED}

27 Meme is on mercurial leader of America — accurate to a certain extent (2,4,7) IN SOME MEASURE {MEME+IS+ON}*{Am...a}{SURE}

DOWN

2   First perhaps in viva about noise (7) ORDINAL {OR{DIN}AL} 

3   Extremely sexy maiden and old ruler in snap (7,3) SMOKING HOT {S{M}{O}{KING}HOT} Semi&lit

4   Jog naked after consuming bhang finally (5) NUDGE {NUD{b..nG}E}

5   Protect pants with stylish fastener (6,3) COTTER PIN {PROTECT}*{IN}

6   S. American wood sorrels in ordinary, round bag (4) OCAS {O}{SAC<=}

7   Online deceiver chats artfully, ensnaring female on island (7)  CATFISH {CHATS}* over {F}{I}

8   Musicians at centre in Akron playing funny genre of music (4,3,4) ROCK AND ROLL {m..iCi..s} in {AKRON}*{DROLL}

10 One seen at top of each page is boss of company organising marathons? (7,4) RUNNING HEAD [DD]

13 Opinion pieces in different dailies about mounting corruption (10) EDITORIALS {DAILIES}* over {ROT<=} Semi&lit

15 Groom may snore after drinking alcohol heartily! Understood (3,2,4) SAY NO MORE {MAY+SNORE}* over {alcOhol}

18 Old cheat captivating model with a good figure (7) OCTAGON {O}{C{T}{A}{G}ON}

20 One who disregards forger in building passing francs (7) IGNORER {fORGER+IN}*

23 Sack contains black thread (5) FIBRE {FI{B}RE}

24 Clone obtained by hi-tech operation (4) ECHO [T]

Reference List

Socialist = RED, Date = D, Operation = OP, Hotel = H, Ecstasy = E, Independence = I, Revolutionary = RED, Maiden = M, Old = O, Ordinary = O, Female = F, Island = I, Model T, Good = G, Francs = F, Black = B

No 14852, Wednesday 22 Jul 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 11A 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   Portly chap, almost bare, dancing in stag do (8,5) BACHELOR PARTY {PORTLY+CHAp+BARE}*

8   Blast outside southern centre (5) BOSOM {BO{S}OM}

9   Rupee rose finally with high deficit fixed (9) RECTIFIED {R}{rosE}{DEFICIT}*

11 Security in the near future in local trains (10) C?L?A?E?A? (Addendum - COLLATERAL {COL{LATER}AL*} - See comments)

12 Record very revolutionary epic poem (4) EPOS {EP}{SO<=}

14 Asked deputy about arresting star (7) PLEADED {DEP<=}{ over {LEAD}

16 German rogue loses billion to become bankrupt (2,5) GO UNDER {G}{bOUNDER} 

17 Derisive racist raving about immigrants principally (7)  SATIRIC {SAT{Im...s}RIC*}

19 Feeling overwhelmed by loose motions (7) EMOTION [T]

21 Article about bovine animal's round part of nerve cell (4) AXON {A{OX<=}N}

22 Point on principle of uncertainty in obscure abstract (10) CONCEPTUAL {PT}{Un...y} in {CONCEAL}

25 Politician relaxes, lazily cuddling models (9) EXEMPLARS {MP} in {RELAXES}*

26 Leading man enthralled by American associate on date (5) AHEAD {A}{HE}{A}{D}

27 Make sexual advances in penthouse to very hot male inside (3,3,5,2) PUT THE MOVES ON {PENTHOUSE+TO+V}* over {M}

DOWN

2   Sailor loves rum! That's clear (7) ABSOLVE {AB}{LOVES}*

3   Launch of humorous, modern-day novel is definitely successful (4,3,3) HOME AND DRY {Hu...s}{MODERN+DAY}*

4   Enormous convict crushes jailor's toe on base (5) LARGE {LA{j...oR}G}{E}

5   Runs, developing elegant, primarily curvaceous figure (9) RECTANGLE {R}{ELEGANT+C}*

6   Like starters of assorted kebabs in nightclub (4) AKIN Acrostic

7   Stumbled in bar, extremely drunk (7) TRIPPED {T}{RIPPED}

8   Help attendant smuggling dope in the rectum (4,7) BACK PASSAGE {BACK}{{P{ASS}AGE}

10 Blunder resulting in debacle at premiere, director's annoyed (11) DISGRUNTLED {RESULTING}* in {De...e}{D}

13 Inappropriate, as tenant not paying rent might soon be? (3,2,5) OUT OF PLACE [DD]

15 Dressed to a T, co-ed hugs Rector giving highest university degree (9) DOCTORATE {TO+A+T+CO+ED}* over {R}

18 American philosopher's article about origin of universe captivating men (7) THOREAU {THE}{A}{Un...e} over {OR}

20 Routine changes before birth (2,5) IN UTERO*

23 Plastic is completely choking fish (5) CISCO [T]

24 Discharge from small scar (4) SPIT {S}{PIT}

Reference List

Southern = S, Rupee = R, Record = EP(Extended Play), Deputy = DEP, German = G, Billion = B, Point = PT, American = A, Associate = A, Date = D, Very = V, Male = M, Sailor = AB, Base = E, Runs = R, Bar = T, Director = D, Rector = R, About = A, Small = S

No 14851, Tuesday 21 Jul 2026, Dr. X

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   Go back to steal from oriental closet (8) WARDROBE {DRAW<=}{ROB}{E}

5   Problem mastering some subsidiary propositions (6) LEMMAS [T]

10 Shame about member getting absolute power (7) STAMINA {STA{M}IN}{A}

11 Encircle tortuous vein on radius (7) ENVIRON {VEIN+ON+R}*

12 Prince captivated by English show about fencing swords (5) EPEES {E}{P}{SEE<=}

 13 Flying insect going around a set is bothering persistently (7,2) GNAWING AT {GN{A}{WING}AT}

14 Little chance of finishing soon? Sigh! (2,3,2,5)  NO END IN SIGHT {SIGHt} Rebus

18 Pair agree on going astray with many in this? (4,8) OPEN MARRIAGE {PAIR+AGREE+ON+M}* Semi&lit

21 European star exercising after knocking back a drink in old Greek gymnasium (9) PALAESTRA {E}{STAR*}<=>{A LAP<=}

23 Greek character overwhelmed by viral pharyngitis (5) ALPHA [T]

24 Ran haphazardly during commotion in tempest (7) TORNADO {TO{RAN*}DO}

25 Toughening popular band consuming drugs at centre (7) INURING {IN}{drUgs}{RING}

26 Shelves with large borders (6) LEDGES {L}{EDGES}

27 Introduced new resident (8) INSERTED*

DOWN

1   Hunk hosting female freshened up (6) WASHED {WA{SHE}D}

2   Rise to embrace extremely desirable university lecturer (6) READER {REA{De...lE}R}

3   Managed to save one male crossing southern hill in deluge (9) RAINSTORM {RA{1}N}{M} over {S}{TOR}

4   Bohemian writers in club consuming ecstasy and dope are turning into rebels (4,10) BEAT GENERATION {B{E}AT}{GEN}{ARE<=}{INTO*}

6   Concluding stanza of poem by novice about leaving college (5) ENVOI NOVIcE*

7   Tense and quiet, crushed by additional loan (8) ?O?T?A?E (Addendum - MORTGAGE  {T}{GAG} in {MORE} - See comments)

8   Disinfect article with iodine in case (8) SANITATE {S{AN}{I}TATE}

9   Restoration of extremely ramshackle house outside Long Island (14) REHABILITATION {Ra...lE}{HABI{LI}TATION}

15 Distinctive mark of genius, art's remarkable (9) SIGNATURE*

16 Lots with a hip fracture here? (8) HOSPITAL {LOTS+A+HIP}* &lit

17 Sophisticated lady starts to laugh, becoming rather enthralled by marijuana (4-4) WELL-BRED {L}{La..h}{Be...g}{Ra...r} in {WEED}

19 Run special issue (6) SPRINT {S}{PRINT}

20 Bashed group grabbing girl on base (6) BANGED {BAN{G}{E}D}

22 Pick up rumour about onset of epidemic (5) ELATE {TALE<=}{Ep...c}

Reference List

Oriental = E, Member = M, Absolute = A, Radius = R, Prince = P, English = E, Many = M, European = E, Popular = IN, Large = L, Male = M, Southern = S, Hill = TOR, Ecstasy = E, College = C, Tense = T, Lady = L, Special = S, Girl = G, Base = E

No 14850, Monday 20 Jul 2026, Dr. X

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

1   One who observes husband tottering, overwhelmed by drink (8) BEHOLDER {BE{H}{OLD}ER}

5   Prodigy beginning to work on developing drone (6) WONDER {Work}{DRONE}*

10 View small insect going around lake (5) SLANT {S}{L}{ANT}

11 Fixed mindset is leading to diffidence (9) TIMIDNESS*

12 Without any limitations, like loafers? (2,7,8) (Continued in 17 Down) NO STRINGS ATTACHED [C&DD]

13 Wants fine food and more rum (5) ODDER fODDER

14 Fold extremely large transversely ribbed fabric (6) FAILLE {FAIL}{LargE}

15 Satisfy upper-class female with fine diamonds after a little spat (7) SUFFICE {U}{F}{F}{ICE}<=>{Spat}

18 Little people desire to cut cake in retreat (7) TITCHES {ITCH} in {SET<=}

20 Envies model surrounded by men (6) COVETS {COVE{T}S}

22 American guy touring Malta's capital (5) AMMAN {A}{Ma..a}{MAN}

24 Possibly bit nervous going topless? That's obvious (9) OBTRUSIVE {BIT+nERVOUS}*

25 Clumsy and daft, he is beginning to make blunders (3-6) HAM-FISTED {DAFT+HE+IS+Make}*

26 Glide over snow around an Asian city (5) IKSAN {SKI<=}{AN}

27 Model is turning on girl in retreat (6) DESIGN {DE{IS<=}{G}N} 

28 Homeless feline lately wandering around area behind college (5,3) ALLEY CAT {LATELY}* over {A}<=>{C}

DOWN

1   Mounting gossip about immorality in building (6) BASING {GAB<=} over {SIN}

2   Democrat leading in preliminary contest getting early advantage (4,5) HEAD START {D}{STAR} in {HEAT}

3   Creative way of solving problems after a fine leader wins polls at centre (7,8) LATERAL THINKING {LATER}{A}{THIN}{KING} over {poLls}

4   President entering to accept treaty (7) ENTENTE [T]

6   Weird nuts in USA vote for likely winner (4-2,9) ODDS-ON FAVOURITE {ODD}{IN+USA+VOTE+FOR}*

7   Fear's gone after taking therapy essentially (5) DREAD {D{theRapy}EAD}

8   Cool being engaged (8) RESERVED [DD]

9   One overwhelmed by onset of enteric disorder is vomiting (6) EMESIS {1} in {En...c}{MESS}

16 Perhaps, ricin isn't genuine (9) INTRINSIC*

17 See 12 Across

19 Small bananas becoming mottled (6) SPOTTY {S}{POTTY}

20 Scoundrel having sex with English lady in castle (7) CITADEL {C{IT}AD}{E}{L}

21 Plant in compound outside a posh bar (6) ?E?N?T (Addendum - PEANUT {PEAN}{U}{T} - See comments)

23 Mother's taking a little pill for viral infection (5) MUMPS {MUM{Pill}S}

Reference List

Husband = H, Small = S, Lake = L, Fine = F, Upper class = U, Female = F, Diamonds = ICE, Model = T, Girl = G, Area = A, College = C, Democrat = D, Sex = IT, English = E, Lady = L, Posh = U, Bar = T