No 12643, Tuesday 04 Jun 2019, Incognito

If the puzzles were swapped, 11A might have been more fitting

ACROSS
8 Graduate left Indian town to get gooseberry (4) AMLA [AMbaLA]
9 Model relative's jibe (5) TAUNT [T + AUNT]
10 Cash dispensing machine has nothing in it, just a tiny bit of stuff (4) ATOM [0 in ATM]
11 Move dynamo at the beginning of the working week (6) MONDAY [DYNAMO]*
12 Drug dealers hide loan repayment money in boxes (8) CHEMISTS [EMI in CHESTS] extra E?
13 Tan saris designed in Queens (8) TSARINAS [TAN SARIS]*

15 Government of India is gheraoed by penniless pest, a self-centred person (6) EGOIST [GOI in pEST]
17 Setter and that lady, in London, go this way and that (7) MEANDER [ME + AND + 'ER]
19 Charlie, with the girls, gives tutorials (7) CLASSES [C + LASSES]
22 Returning students make mistake (4,2) SLIP UP [PUPILS]<=
24 Encore! MO to dance again (4,4) ONCE MORE [ENCORE MO]*
26 Game trail permit included (8) ROULETTE [LET in ROUTE]
28 Rascal! Travel hither and thither! (6) VARLET [TRAVEL]*
30 Stylish bird has no knowledge (4) CHIC [CHICken]
31 Internal bar next to emergency room (5) INNER [INN + ER]
32 500 sheets on America (4) REAM [RE + AM]

DOWN
1 National Investigation Agency left chemical/shooting supplies (4) AMMO [AMMOnia]
2 Male singer Bobby hugs an official from China (8) MANDARIN [AN in M + DARIN]
3 Continue. "Say 'not' irritatedly" (4,2) STAY ON [SAY NOT]*
4 Supreme Court admits uniform tax. That's a victory (7) SUCCESS [U in SC + CESS]
5 Other-worldly alien next to man is not a figment of imagination (8) ETHEREAL [ET + HE + REAL]
6 Accountant's in old gambling house (6) CASINO [CA'S + IN + O]
7 State: Last mascot's an animal (4) GOAT [GOA + T]
14 That girl with two pounds gets a cartridge (5) SHELL [SHE + LL]
16 Guide // cattle (5) STEER [DD]
18 English lawmaker at hospital's in command and compassionate (8) EMPATHIC [E + MP + AT + H + IC]
20 Solemn king has hole in hat (8) SOMBRERO [SOMBRE + R + 0]

21 Cipher in English medicine (7) CODEINE [CODE + IN + E]
23 A place renovated to provide accommodation for the king (6) PALACE [A PLACE]*
25 6 balls admitted in court? That's secret! (6) COVERT [OVER in CT]
27 Ostentatious Adolf Hitler's uniform initially seen in island (4) OAHU [Acrostic]
29 Old flame's morning test (4) EXAM [EX + AM]

No 12642, Monday 03 Jun 2019, Incognito

Wonder if there is a theme to this, but I'm sure sharper solvers will let me know.


ACROSS
7 Stop Hindustan Aeronautics Limited transportation at first (4) HALT [Acrostic]
8 Engineer's direction leads to decapitation (9) BEHEADING [BE + HEADING]
10 Slow music played by Lady Lovelace and soldier with love (6) ADAGIO [ADA + GI + 0]
11 Irate since den is demolished (8) INCENSED [SINCE DEN]*
12 Spanish fortress where, initially, Public Relations Information Officer went around after reorganising side (8) PRESIDIO [PRIO outside SIDE*]
14 Mother's with graduate setter in Bombay (6) MUMBAI [MUM + BA + I]
16 On the way, defeat in east-north-east (2,5) EN ROUTE [ROUT inside ENE]
18 "Undress United Nations doctor! Copy?" (7) UNDRAPE [UN +  DR + APE]
21 Relatives behind tree produce 9 imperial gallons of beer (6) FIRKIN [FIR + KIN]
23 Persons held in captivity for long periods behind Head Office by saint (8) HOSTAGES [HO + ST + AGES]
25 She hid behind cot before alien got a coverlet (3,5) BED SHEET [BED + SHE + ET]
27 Enjoy // a condiment (6) RELISH [DD]
29 Form filled in with expectation of a refund (3,6) TAX RETURN [CD]
30 Eat food somewhere in the midst of sardines (4) DINE [T]

DOWN
1 Male venturing to take a risk (though not fully) for a type of Chinese fruit (8) MANDARIN [MAN + DARINg]
2 Does not allowed at this party? (4) STAG [CD]
3 Dancing aboard overseas (6) ABROAD [ABOARD]*
4 Choirs arranged by Frenchman producing baptismal robe (7) CHRISOM [CHOIRS* + Monsieur]
5 Sentries arranged new match (8) WATCHMEN [NEW MATCH]*
6 Nile was diverted to get some security (4) LIEN [LINE]*
9 Greek letter for Ms. Garbo (5) GRETA [GR + ETA]

13 Spy's trail where one king replaces another (5) SPOOK [SPOOR -R + K]
15 Trapp stepmother returned a top quality male sheep (5) MARIA [A1 + RAM]<=
17 Soft editor made an offer (8) TENDERED [TENDER + ED]
19 Almost please soldier, being nice (8) PLEASANT [PLEAS + ANT]
20 Type of wedding // where groom is seated next to the driver? (7) SHOTGUN [DD]
22 Inefficient in English exercises (5) INEPT [IN + E + PT]
24 Trick-cyclist's contract (6) SHRINK [DD]
26 Religious extra-terrestrials have a prayer at noon (4) SEXT [T]
28 Boy with unknown female (4) LADY [LAD + Y]

No. 12409, Thursday 30 Aug 2018, Xchequer

Standing in for Colonel as he goes on an intercity drive early in the morning.

This is a puzzle very much in the mould of Xchequer with his imaginative wordplay and misdirection. Liked several clues, but to name a few : EUPHORIA, HAUGHTY, DEGREE,  REALTY, BAD HAIR DAYS, NOT LONG AGO and PRUDES. 

Thanks to the setter.

ACROSS
7 Crows set to fly with a measure of light from the east coming through (6) EXULTS [SET* outside LUX <=]
8 Short lad cut top of dress (6) BODICE [BOy + DICE]
10 Hope air-conditioned housing, typically posh, will give great delight (8) EUPHORIA [HOPE AIR* outside U]

 11 Led astray after dessert in the pool (6) PUDDLE [PUD + LED*]
12 Left whatever king wore, it's spare (5) LANKY [Left + ANY outside King]
14 Superior hotel, anything's the ultimate in luxury (7) HAUGHTY [Hotel + AUGHT + luxurY]
15 Spoilt dog had it good, yet cat has to fool around (3,3,5,4) ACT THE GIDDY GOAT [DOG HAD IT Good YET CAT]*
18 Partner tracking sign spotted animal (7) LEOPARD [LEO + PARD]
19 Musician's holy, being childless (5) PI PER [PI + PERson]
20 Chinese tea required to study and pass at University (6) CONGOU [CON + GO + University]
21 Many go crazy about a French boyfriend (5,3) YOUNG MAN [MANY GO* outside UN]
23 Secured parts in small bars (6) INGOTS [GOT inside IN + Small]
24 River banks for instance at right level (6) DEGREE [DEE outside EG + Right]

DOWN
1 Government form relating to local insurers (8) REPUBLIC [RE + PUB + LIC]
2 Boost provided by hot drink counter (4) PUSH [Hot + SUP] <=
3 Yard behind shop floor (6) STOREY [STORE + Yard]
4 Pen a senseless condition having shortage of a currency (8) COMPOUND [COMa + POUND]
5 Underground warning hitmen, a DGP's involved (4,3,3) MIND THE GAP [HITMEN A DGP]*

6 Grounds for example to show female's right in fidelity (6) REALTY [FEALTY with Right for Female]
9 Messy braid say, had stretches of recurring rough patches (3,4,4) BAD HAIR DAYS [BRAID SAY HAD]*
13 Of late, idea for one-line joke getting almost naughty? (3,4,3) NOT LONG AGO [NOTION with Line for 1 + GAG + 0 = naughty]
16 English very keen to retain area, that's clear (8) EVACUATE [English + Very + ACUTE outside Area]
17 Carriage with white horses, possibly vehicle for relays? (8) AIRWAVES [AIR + WAVES]
18 Chance of inclusion appearing to have an early end (4-2) LOOK-IN [LOOKINg]
19 Special lifts to carry cheeky old maids (6) PRUDES [SPecial <= outside RUDE]
22 Blood shed in killing or execution (4) GORE [Hidden]

GRID

Bhargav's Talepiece

A lanky piper who was haughty

Came to Shangri-la and behaved naughty

He was pushed

And thrashed

Promptly evacuated to distant Djibouti!!

No.12259, Thursday 08 Mar 2018, Dr. X

It is not often that doctors come to us with questions seeking solutions, but that's what is in store today. Plenty to like with good surface stories and wit to boot. Ticked ESPRIT DE CORPS, FILED, SO-SO, ILL FAME, SPLENDOUR, OAKS, TOTEM POLE. Thanks Doc for the daily drug.

As per the new norm, 27A has been left open till 10:00 AM for any rookie commentator.

ACROSS
1 Dire prospects ruined morale of group (6,2,5) ESPRIT DE CORPS [DIRE PROSPECTS]*
8 Entered midlife sadly? On reflection, I’m lost (5) FILED [miDLIFE]*
9 Strictly trousers for women in suburbs? (9) OUTSKIRTS [CD]
11 Desperate call to catch ball by bowler at match between close rivals in England (5,5) LOCAL DERBY [CALL* outside O + DERBY]
12 Pedestrian’s urgent appeal for help essentially ignored (2-2) SO-SO [SOS + ignOred]
14 Chooses not to participate in destroying outpost (4,3) OPTS OUT [OUTPOST]*
16 One naughty fella embracing maiden of disrepute (3,4) ILL FAME [1 + FELLA* outside Maiden]
17 Most heroic veteran crushed by defeat (7) BOLDEST [OLD inside BEST]
19 Japanese grill, almost thrash composer at the start of interrogation (7) HIBACHI [HIt + BACH + Interrogation]

21 Wrong answer? Ironic (4) AWRY [Answer + WRY]
22 Clear evidence that one’s just been fired? (7,3) SMOKING GUN [CD]
25 Core of disease removed from organ! Grim spectacle (9) SPLENDOUR [SPLEeN + DOUR]
26 Girl alongside bar — object of many chivalric quests (5) GRAIL [Girl + RAIL] ...glad the definition didn't say 'object of many loud nightly quests' ...
27 Gossips at office welcoming ultimately hot stories about couple of models (6-7) ?I?T?E-?A?T?E? {Addendum - TITTLE-TATTLES {TIT{hoT}TLE}-{TA{TT}LES} - See comments)

DOWN
2 Lobby wanting power in dirty politics (7) SOLICIT [pOLITICS]*
3 Virile, unlike those of noble birth? (3-7) RED-BLOODED [CD]
4 Square slit that provides fulcrum for an oar (5) THOLE [T-square + HOLE]
5 Blister has burst! Not a bit of redness found (9) ESTABLISH [BLISTEr + HAS]*
6 Gives approval to conserve acre of trees (4) OAKS [OKS outside Acre]
7 One in the garden so enthralled by detailed design (7) PERGOLA [ERGO inside PLAn]
8 What one might be after a vegetarian meal — in high spirits (4,2,5) FULL OF BEANS [CD]
10 Kindle used to send this message? (5,6) SMOKE SIGNAL [CD]
13 What bats do is unreliable (3-2-5) FLY-BY-NIGHT [CD]
15 Tribal emblem, unfinished crown and ring found in sacred place (5,4) TOTEM POLE [TOp + O inside TEMPLE]

18 Legendary rock singer lonelier perhaps, needs narcotic primarily (7) LORELEI [LOnELIER]*
20 Related to business, fly East (7) COGNATE [CO + GNAT + East]
23 Indian dish — preparation of okra containing a bit of masala (5) KORMA [OKRA* outside Masala]
24 One couple wants divorce ultimately (4) UNIT [UNITe]

Special, Sunday 10 Aug 2014, Bhavan

Thanks to Bhavan for the Special special.
As this is only a 11 x 11 answers restricted to TWO PER COMMENTER (with annotations) till 6 PM.

See you @ 6

Any guesses on what the title is about, before you start?

*All the across clues have only subsidiary indication and carry no definitions. Down clues are normal cryptic clues.

ACROSS

1   Go over Bible (9)

7   Sam for one obtained university degree (7)

8   First but oddly lost (2)

10 Lives in recession times (3)

11 Those consuming heartlessly (6)

14 Hello and such dispensed initially (6)

16 Revolting example of a tuber (3)

20 Repeated offerings from nitwits (2)

21 Act like a parrot say? (7)

22 Even without initial signs of fever, I'm sore (8)

DOWN

2   Directions to show off muscles... (5)

3   ...provide motivation for a stud (4)

4   Beams, accompanying around daughter and son (6)

5   Go up taking a lift (5)

6   Unlimited wealth is a pleasure (3)

9   Pose like king (3)

12 Exploit sheep reportedly (3)

13 Plain tea set smashed (6)

15 Free tune I composed (5)

17 Prince of Persia perhaps (5)

18 Booting up computers is a trick (4)

19 Disturbance in audio seen often (3)

Across Lite version can be accessed at the following link SEE YOU @ 6

Enjoy.

SOLUTION GRID

No.11099, Saturday 31 May 14, Neyartha

Good one from Neyartha. Liked MOCCASIN, STOCKING FILLER, T-JUNCTION, EXTENDED FAMILY, MINE and LEVER. It felt like the clues were easier/tighter than yesterday. Spotted a few video game references - BATTLESHIP, HALO, MINE-CRAFT, TOMB RAIDER. Pitch in if you see more that I missed.

ACROSS
1 Alien, one chased away by irate cosmetician with a soft leather shoe (8) MOCCASIN [COSMetiCIAN]*

5 Quick movement to get the note back in place was arranged ahead of time (6) PRESET [PRESTO with TE<= for TO]
9 Region inside shelter in, say, Turkey for the English (4,4) NEAR EAST [AREA inside NEST]
10 Metal making microbe and the rest back out (6) BARIUM [BActeRIUM]
11 Mad clerk gifts lion as a Christmas present (8,6) STOCKING FILLER [CLERK GIFTS LION]*
14 Forces that protect (5) ARMED [E] Like CV said yesterday with the sociolinguistic clue, this might do well with a 'Kind of' or 'Sort of' at the beginning.
16 With stronger reason, capital barricades fort on island in Oregon (1,8) A FORTIORI [A1 outside FORT + I + OR] Is the last 'in' intrusive/misleading?
17 Where one could go left or right, but not straight! (1-8) T JUNCTION [CD]

19 Counsel’s icon-based computer display goes missing at the ball (5) DANCE [guiDANCE]
20 Deftly examined formation of a social unit (8,6) EXTENDED FAMILY [DEFTLY EXAMINED]*
23 Famished antelope from the east found between the gas lines (6) HUNGRY [GNU<= inside H + RY]
24 Boomerang Ravi designed after leaving barge in capital port (8) MONROVIA [bOOMeraNg RAVI]*
25 Tempest lets out the concealed grinding tool (6) PESTLE [T]
26 Musical work by a lecturer on a Galilean moon (8) ORATORIO [ORATOR + IO]

DOWN
1 Bomb in the pit (4) MINE [DD]

2 Vessel with brown wrapping paper for the auditor (5) CRAFT [~KRAFT]
3 Sailed through protected French sea and got fined (7) AMERCED [ACED outside MER]
4 Seditious fact-finding evacuates Vellore’s outskirts (11) INSTIGATIVE [INveSTIGATIVE]
6 Montreal is terrorised to some extent by a practical person (7) REALIST [T]
7 Unsuccessful extra besieged by troubled nostril (9) STILLBORN [LB inside NOSTRIL*]
8 Twist following French word brought up with hesitation by a video game franchise (4,6) TOMB RAIDER [MOT<= + BRAID + ER]
12 Staircase climbing may be unnecessary if you want to reach this (6,5) GROUND FLOOR [E]
13 Hips damaged after struggle with armour-bearing gun-toting seafarer (10) BATTLESHIP [BATTLE + HIPS*]

15 Smart son goes down after the doctor and peacekeepers to get the support frameworks (9) MOUNTINGS [MO + UN + (s-)TING(+S)]
18 Principal’s abdominal vaccine initially replaced by a vitamin (7) CENTRAL [VENTRAL with C for V]
19 Revolutionary, drained after assimilating the letter, finds fault (7) DEMERIT [TIRED<= outside EM]
21 Lift the handle (5) LEVER [DD]
22 Cut and dried grass, insufficient, it is said, for the crown (4) HALO [~HAY LOW]

No.11091, Thursday 22 May 2014, From the files of Sankalak

Lot of clues to like - ÉTUDE, SAN MARINO, TARTAN, DEBIT, ACTIN, BEARER, SNOWBOUND, TENNIS MATCHES, OBITUARY, ENDANGER, OBJECT, BROOK, DRAMBUIE and ENGAGE. That looks like more or less all clues. 2d and 3d brought a sense of loss briefly when I was solving, but the rest of the puzzle cheered me up and reminded of all the good times. Thank you Sankalak.

ACROSS
1 Prisoner taken by tube to old place for a trip with a guide (9,4) CONDUCTED TOUR [CON + DUCTED + TO + UR]

                                                                                               Cartoon by Rishi

10 Think about twisted wire in white heath (9) BRIERWOOD [BROOD outside WIRE*]
11 Edible seaweed featured in medical avertiment (5) LAVER [T]
12 Musical work // study in France (5) ÉTUDE [DD]
13 European republic has no marinas, unfortunately (3,6) SAN MARINO [NO MARINAS]*

14 Material for a sailor, nice brown colour (6) TARTAN [TAR + TAN]
16 Entry in account for one in encumbrance (5) DEBIT [1 inside DEBT]
19 The protein for performance lacking nothing (5) ACTIN [ACTIoN]
20 He endures // a kind of bond (6) BEARER [DD]

                                                                                         Cartoon by Bhargav
25 The voice to put control at jeopardy (9) CONTRALTO [CONTROL AT]*
26 French author for whom Penny left university area (5) CAMUS [CAMpUS]
27 Creature that is acceptable to a Greek character (5) OKAPI [OK + A + PI]
28 Stuck in bad weather, down: no bus moving (9) SNOWBOUND [DOWN NO BUS]*
29 Court contests (6,7) TENNIS MATCHES [CD]

DOWN
2 Passing notice (8) OBITUARY [CD]
3 Lament for a late person (5) DIRGE [CD]
4 A beggar cannot be thus (6) CHOOSY [CD]
5 The aim — to provoke and put at risk (8) ENDANGER [END + ANGER]
6 Garrulous valet with a kit let loose (9) TALKATIVE [VALET A KIT]*
7 Expose a French evil developing (6) UNVEIL [UN + EVIL*]
8 The goal is to oppose (6) OBJECT [DD]
9 Allow inclusion of resistance in the script (5) BROOK [R inside BOOK]
15 The instrument that darin’ Coco played (9) ACCORDION [DARIN' COCO]*

17 Call unknown sibling for procedure to purify blood (8) DIALYSIS [DIAL + Y + SIS]
18 A bird (emu) turns to drink (8) DRAMBUIE [A BRID EMU]*

21 Mignonette raised in a glade serves a purpose (6) RESEDA [T<=]
22 Highlander with love at heart may leave quickly (5) SCOOT [0 inside SCOT]
23 One point about a joke that may occupy one (6) ENGAGE [ENE outside GAG]
24 A bag too clumsy in Colombia (6) BOGOTÁ [BAG TOO]*
26 Copper writer with a three-dimensional shape (5) CUBIC [CU + BIC]

No.11087, Saturday 17 May 2014, Gridman

Election results special from Gridman in his usual style of wit and guile. So you can call it a kamal ka puzzle either way. Liked DOC, LIMO, HAIL, MODISTE, ROSEBUD, PULSATOR and OBSTACLE the most. On the flip side not sure some of the answers can be found in any common dictionaries (8d, 9d, 19 & 3d). Time for T being used multiple times, all for the same deletion (11a, 18a, 29a) can be overlooked given this puzzle must have been put together at short notice and ...er... when short on time.

ACROSS
1 Don’t begin work to pitch for source of energy (8) OILFIELD [tOIL + FIELD]
5 Monied enough to get purgative (6) EMODIN [MONIED]*
10 Sisterhood with more-than-enough needlework (7) SAMPLER [S + AMPLER]

11 Doctor’s order: take time off — a bit! (7) MODICUM [MO + DICtUM]
12 Not present to say ‘Here!’ (6) ABSENT [E]
14 If someone takes you to them, you’re done (8) CLEANERS [E]
15 Medico cut short (3) DOC [DOCk]
17 Wheels of fortune? (4) LIMO [CD]
18 Almost usual song expending time will get you the product (9) COMMODITY [COMMOn DItTy]
21 Resort 11’s taken unhesitatingly is irregular (9) SPASMODIC [SPAS + MODICum] Second S from?
24 Hard trouble from icy fall (4) HAIL [H + AIL]
27 See about Hindu leader’s Nepalese village (3) LHO [LO outside H]
29 Manufacturer of protective clothing to supply large car timelessly (8) ARMOURER [ARM + tOURER]
30 Mimic and copper get brief summary from France (6) APERÇU [APER + CU]
32 Fashionable dressmaker’s leading in style (7) MODISTE [1ST inside MODE]
33 Pretty girl got up with pal (7) ROSEBUD [ROSE + BUD]
34 Change Ministry of Defence provided with ultimate strategy (6) MODIFY [MOD + IF + Y]
35 This beats US patrol’s dithering (8) PULSATOR [US PATROL]*

                                                                                                                          Puzzle by Rishi
If you solve the above puzzle, please do not post the answer in this blog, so that others get a chance to solve it. The answer will be put up later in the day.

DOWN
1 Old boy finds twisted cleats a hindrance (8) OBSTACLE [OB + CLEATS*]
2 Central slum politician has problem following single, large payment (4,3) LUMP SUM [sLUm + MP + SUM]
3 See 19 (6)
4 Fabricator said to produce instrument (4) LYRE [~LIAR]
6 Irish region cares about extraordinary lad (8) MIDLANDS [MINDS outside LAD*]
7 Most problematical ties resolved following return of investigators (7) DICIEST [TIES* after CID<=]
8 Which means everything has been cleaned up (2,4) NO MESS [CD]
9 All alms I'm distributing in brief correspondence (5,4) SMALL MAIL [ALL ALMS I'M]*
13 Resting place put up in a book section (1,1,1) T O C [COT<=]
16 My noted presentation includes bridge player wearing a small crown (9) CORONETED [COR + NOTED* outside E]
19 and 3 US finalises do's for resolving Sri Lanka’s problems, say (6,2,6) ISSUES OF ISLAND [US FINALISES DOS]*
20 Struggle with fish (8) FLOUNDER [DD]
22 Groomed dog helped one to get out (7) POMADED [POM + AiDED]
23 When doubled, it’s a lively dance (3) CHA [CHA-CHA]

 

Bhargav shows a bit(?) of leg in this alternate answer to the clue

25 An agile performer, a sort of burglar, about to hold up (7) ACROBAT [ A + CAT outside ROB]
26 Headmaster goes round Indian mother in Turkish bath (6) HAMMAM [HM outside AMMA]
28 Observation post employs the works (6) OPUSES [O P + USES]
31 German woman starts false rumour about underwear (4) FRAU [Acrostic]

PS : Being so used to seeing Sankalak's name after Spinner's in the past, for a heart-stopping moment I thought this was the end of the line for Sankalak's posthumous offerings. But ...

Hope springs eternal in the human breast;

Man never is, but always to be blessed:

The soul, uneasy and confined from home,

Rests and expatiates in a life to come.

– Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man

No.11081, Saturday 10 May 2014, Sunnet

Good stuff from Sunnet. Nice clues in UNARM, SEAT, VIED, RIGID, OLYMPUS and ROLLS. Looks like a politically correct puzzle. I counted 9. Let me know if I missed any. And yes a pangram too.

ACROSS
1 Bend a fastener (6) BUCKLE [DD]

4 Driver to train Guy (8) COACHMAN [COACH + MAN] Not sure who Guy (Fawkes?) is in the surface
10 People’s rule to exhibit broken car near empty city (9) DEMOCRACY [DEMO + CAR* + CitY]
11 Called in the Vietnam editor (5) NAMED [T]
12 To render harmless, manure for the most part, is burned (5) UNARM [MANURe]*
13 Measure news source’s head’s lack of substance (9) EMPTINESS [EM + PTI + NESS]
14 Part One : Street’s lawyers (7) LEGISTS [LEG + I + ST'S]
16 Central actor is placed by the side of main chair (4) SEAT [SEA + acTor]

                           Illustration by Bhargav

19 Competed in somersaulting dive (4) VIED [DIVE]*
21 To stimulate lubricant in burner (4,3) FUEL OIL [FUEL + OIL]
24 Platform for human celebration in a satellite (9) MANIFESTO [MAN + FEST inside IO]

                                                               Cartoon by Rishi

25 Name of Roe is in ruins (5) ROSIE [ROE IS]*
26 Stiff sentence on retrograde Indian policeman (5) RIGID [Rigorous Imprisonment + DIG <=]
27 In heartless Delhi, lawyer’s note became memorable (9) INDELIBLE [IN + DELhI + BL + E]
28 Survey old tax cut backed by left (4,4) EXIT POLL [EX + Income Tax + LOP<= + L]
29 A free standing kitchen unit from New Guinea perhaps (6) ISLAND [DD]

DOWN
1 Cover dirty quid placed in cummerbund (3,5) BED QUILT [QUID* inside BELT] Not sure this is a valid dictionary phrase
2 Spoil a camping movement (8) CAMPAIGN [A CAMPING]*
3 Substitute for old temperature measure in chimney (5) LOCUM [O + Celsius inside LUM]
5 Elevation of Greece’s only representative supported by America but not Norway (7) OLYMPUS [OnLY + MP + US] Is this fair given how far away from ONLY the instruction to delete N is?
6 Frank had an applicant (9) CANDIDATE [CANDID + ATE]
7 Limb of an associate (6) MEMBER [DD]
8 Bare philosophy? (6) NUDISM [CD]
9 Sheep, for example, without their ultimate watchers (6) GAZERS [GrAZERS] Which R of the two should be deleted?
15 Fancily dressed pups, if fed crackers… (7,2) SPIFFED UP [PUPS IF FED]*
17 See dreadful Bhaskar dropping rupee in a house (3,5) LOK SABHA [LO + BHASKAr*]
18 Reportedly puffed tobacco in plant (4,4) BLUE WEED [~BLEW + WEED]

20 Rectify princess’s farm (7) DISTILL [DI'S + TILL]
21 Crosses found around the Capital of Java’s narrow inlets (6) FJORDS [FORDS outside J]
22 Surface to quarter and blend (6) EMERGE [E + MERGE]
23 Commission agriculturist to showcase wild asses (6) ONAGRI [T]
25 Cylinders for a high end car (5) ROLLS [DD]

No.11075, Saturday 03 May 14, Incognito

Incognito continues to keep his puzzles within the reach of most solvers. There are a lot of good clues here, liked HERON, CHESSMEN, ATTEND, NEWT, GO RED, TYCOON. Of course there is my pet peeve of giving away more than half of the answer in clues (2d, 4d, 20d, 24d). Mandela makes an appearance keeping intact Incognito's promise of at least one personality per puzzle. I didn't spot any other theme, but if you see something I didn't, chime in.

ACROSS
8 Chase away Station House Officer with an egg (4) SHOO [S H O + 0]
9 Invitation to engage in further intercourse or invitation to strike the lady, maybe? (4,6) COME HITHER [COME + HIT + HER]
10 Partisan United Nations fete (6) UNFAIR [UN + FAIR]
11 Doubts unique selling proposition in clans (8) SUSPECTS [USP inside SECTS]
12 Predicting consumption around four or six (8) DIVINING [DINING outside IV or VI]
14 Mandela’s offer is rejected in Madras airport (6) MADIBA [BID<= inside MAA]
16 Master and child define a unit of speed (4) MACH [MA + CH]
17 Elsinore hunter carries back a bird (5) HERON [T<=]
18 I left Southern Ohio for London area (4) SOHO [S + OHiO]
19 Dump the lady in water for a mountaineer (6) SHERPA [HER inside SPA]
21 Gets off when alien occupies the sewers (8) DETRAINS [ET inside DRAINS]
23 Officer error leads to breakdown (8) COLLAPSE [COL + LAPSE]
26 Caught husband! Rather fat! (6) CHUBBY [C + HUBBY]

                                                                                              Cartoon by Rishi

27 Bones soldiers take to American city (10) SACRAMENTO [SACRA + MEN + TO]
28 Renovate morgue after loss of Magnesium to get money (4) EURO [mORgUE]*

DOWN
1 State capital where Chinese actor and British princess hold Indian fort (10) CHANDIGARH [CHAN + DI + GARH]
2 Warrant Officer Manish was rather feminine (8) WOMANISH [W O + MANISH]
3 Tax castor oil compound after extraction of sulphur and aluminium (6) OCTROI [CasTOR OIl]*
4 A minor prophet almost released lieutenant (4) AMOS [AlMOSt]
5 They are found on board: Revolutionary members of the Schutzstaffel (8) CHESSMEN [CHE + SS MEN]
6 Participate in a table tennis final (6) ATTEND [A + TT + END]
7 Salamander went away (4) NEWT [WENT]*

13 Mauled by a bull? Feel embarrassed! (2,3) GO RED [GORED]
15 Place where soda-jerks were arrested and put (6,4) BEHIND BARS [C&DD]
17 Thump ape around thermal equipment (4,4) HEAT PUMP [THUMP APE]*
18 Detectives have fake applications (8) SHAMUSES [SHAM + USES]
20 Administrators rule in Rajya Sabha (6) RULERS [RULE + RS] Was confused by the 'in' initially
22 Businessman sprawled? Not coy! (6) TYCOON [NOT COY]*
24 Country woman is decapitated (4) OMAN [wOMAN]

25 Northerner hides a bird (4) ERNE [T]