The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 48, Sunday 22 Mar 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   Pulled and sketched (4) DREW [DD]

9   Reduce moisture level around top class type of farm producing milk (5) DAIRY {D{A1}RY}

10 Island Noah utilised to some extent (4) OAHU [T]

11 Says, "It may be United" (6) STATES [DD}

12 These are used to supply energy for war horses (8) CHARGERS [DD]

13 Final position from one companion after last month (8) ULTIMATE {1}{MATE}<=>{ULT}

15 Spouse's relatives, including women, slain horribly (2-4) IN-LAWS {W+SLAIN}*

17 Give a big smile after tea, resulting in consternation (7) CHAGRIN {GRIN}<=>{CHA}

19 Sees "Best Wishes" (7) REGARDS [DD]

22 Motorist's club (6) DRIVER [DD]

24 Ten beams wrongly placed in cellar (8) BASEMENT*

26 Hated exam indeed! (8) DETESTED {DE{TEST}ED}

28 Don's descendant follows public university teacher initially (4,2) PUTS ON {SON}<=>{Pu...c}{Un...y}{Te...r}

30 In jail, love attendant (4) PEON {PE{O}N}

31 I'm leaving Martini cocktail for coach (5) TRAIN mARTINi*

32 Makes mistake parking costly car in European street at first (4) ERRS {E{}RR}{St...t}

DOWN

1   Boy with rodent is a troublesome kid (4) BRAT {B}{RAT}

2   Clobbering a teetotaller occupying equipment in playground (8) SWATTING {SW{A}{TT}ING}

3   Port protected by Goddess Athena (6) ODESSA [T] Extra D in the fodder

4   Jug's a sports player who stands on a mound (7) PITCHER [DD]

5   Item manufactured by crazy Andy is explosive (8) DYNAMITE {ITEM}*<=>{ANDY}*

6   After Monday, for starters, go out looking for an East Asian (6) MONGOL {MON}{Go}{Out}{Lo...g}

7   Actor from Mancherla (4) CHER [HIPS]

14 Violent mudflow in Ambala, Haryana (5) LAHAR [T]

16 Increase breadth of West Indies study (5) WIDEN {WI}{DEN}

18 Pester Ms Hayworth in middle of tortuous rite (8) IRRITATE {IR{RITA}TE*}

20 Owned up and took on board (8) ADMITTED [DD]

21 City's having an offer by January (7) ABIDJAN {A}{BID}{JAN}

23 Nine confused in Virginia's capital (6) VIENNA {V{NINE*}A}

25 Little Susan possessing thin brooch is lying (6) SUPINE {SU{PIN}E}

27 Looked at storey edited partially (4) EYED [T]

29 Blades found in boar skin (4) OARS [T]

Reference List

Women = W, European = E, Boy = B, Teetotaller = TT

No 14747, Saturday 21 Mar 2026, Vidwan

 

Artwork by Prasanna

ACROSS

8 Inflame and captivate royal for good! (6) ENRAGE {EN(-g+R)RAGE}
9 Wheels for hire arranged near cart (4-1-3) RENT-A-CAR*
10 Bond's report (8) RELATION [DD]
11 Rub me! I do soak in blood! (6) IMBRUE*
12 Love to bat in ground net (6) OBTAIN {O}{BAT IN*}
14 Large and small soldiers, compatriots (8) LANDSMEN {L}{AND}{S}{MEN}
15 Slice of French tea, rolls and cheese (4) FETA {French}{TEA*}
17 Gag poor thing with leaves (5) RETCH  {wRETCH}
18 Work on small ebbing form of precipitate (4) SNOW {W}{ON}{S}<
20 Something that starts meal over a beer at times (8) LAUNCHER {L{A}UNCH}{bEeR}
22 Interlocks trenches around a city (6) PLAITS {P{LA}ITS}
24 Most unhinged fellow from Edinburgh, wasting time, painting (6) FRESCO {FREe}{SCOt}

25 Charity programme, say mostly on the broadcast (8) TELETHON {TELl}{ON THE*}
27 Judge in the style of writer, with love for spice (8) JALAPENO {J}{A LA}{PEN}{O}

28 Lady disregarding a new club creature (6) WOMBAT {WOM(-a, -n +BAT)BAT

DOWN

1 Permit fee for a drain (8) ENFEEBLE {EN{-a+FEE)FEEBLE}
2 Father cultivated a yard for a tropical fruit (6) PAPAYA {PAP{A Y*}A}
3 Half of South European spy agency (4) SEMI {S}{E}{MI}
4 Sir, let Tarantino start to render in different script (15) TRANSLITERATION* 
5 English knight features in a junior posting in American Navy (10) ENSIGNSHIP {E}{N}{SIGNS}{HIP}
6 Coaches chasing one and a million metrical feet (8) IAMBUSES {BUSES}<=>{I}{A}{M}
7 World is new and bit anarchic? Sadly true! (6) NATURE {N}{Anarchic}{TRUE*}
13 King or a throne representing a state (5,5) NORTH KOREA {K OR A THRONE}*

16 Main case about loss of hard disk? (8) AMNESIAC* Nice definition!
19 Ordinary friend having one in hundred non-obligatory choice (8) OPTIONAL {O}{P{T{I}ON}AL}
21 Channels of supply from heart of America! Gold with unlimited stash! (6) AORTAS {A}{OR}{sTASh}
23 Allergy syndrome that hampers man's aspirations basically (6) ASTHMA [Acrostic] &LIT
26 Dirty work, replacing a clue! (4) LEWD {LE(-a+W)WD}

REFERENCE LIST

Royal=R, Good=G, Love=0=O, L=Large, Small=S, With=W, Work=W, Judge=J, New=N, Yard=Y, South=S, European=E, English=E, Knight=N, Ordinary=O, One=1=I, America=A, Gold=OR.

No 14746, Friday 20 Mar 2026, Vidwan

Rangoli by Gowri

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

9   A militarist NATO resulting in dictatorship (15) TOTALITARIANISM*

10 House girl used to be hot? Nonsense! (7) HOGWASH {HO}{G}{WAS}{H} House/Ho?

12 Not under current coverage of France, Greece island gets evacuated (3-4) OFF-GRID {OF}{F}{GR}{Is..nD}

13 Assortment of best retreats with religious instruction after rain (9) POTPOURRI {TOP<=} and {RI}<=>{POUR}

14 Mother! Clear the decks! (5) EARTH [T]

15 Bit unusual! Guys coming before time! (7) ODDMENT {ODD}{MEN}{T}

18 Cosy retreats in heavily armed chopper (7) GUNSHIP {SNUG<=}{HIP}

21 Sharp strong beer? Right! (5) ALERT {ALE}{RT} Why 'strong'?

23 Father! Clean Spooner's line carrying vital liquid! (5,4) WATER PIPE (pater wipe to water pipe)

25 Get discouraged as pride crumbles (7)  DESPAIR*

26 Test pile, lacks one for instance (7) EXAMPLE {EXAM}{PiLE}

29 Entertaining team and broken records for those following basics too literally! (15) FUNDAMENTALISTS {FUN}{TEAM+AND}*{LISTS}

DOWN

1   Impress and get without force (4) ETCH fETCH

2   Bachelor's field is endless (4) STAG STAGe

3   Bare cola cocktail for a tuna (8) ALBACORE*

4   Some sweet cherries for one making good impressions! (6) ETCHER [T] Why 'good'?

5   Moody sibling, ignoring cold, writing software (8) BROODING {BRO}{cODING}

6   Draw feminine force in real shapes (6) RAFFLE {RA{F}{F}LE*}

7   Shifted her chair for high priest (8) HIERARCH*

8   Like having thick raised joint at centre of a vessel (8) AMIDSHIP {A{DIM<=}S}{HIP}

11 Form of ordinary emptiness (5) OVOID {O}{VOID}

15 Fitfully switch positions (2,3,3) ON AND OFF [C&DD]

16 Dead urgent! Prince going out for a dip! (8) DRESSING {D}{pRESSING}

17 Stopped advancement of abnormal growth in the delta (8) THWARTED {WART} in {THE}{D}

19 Up early in the day all year, as usual (8) NORMALLY {MORN}*{ALL}{Y}

20 First politician to regularly deal and push (5) IMPEL {1}{MP}{dEaL}

22 The AA regularly talk about something that creates immersive drinking experience (3,3) TEA BAG {ThE}{aA}{GAB<=}

24 Compact essay about Hoover (6) TREATY {TR{EAT}Y}

27 Present state (4) POSE [DD]

28 Some cite as example of simplicity (4) EASE [T]

Reference List

Girl = G, Hot = H, France = F, Greece = GR, Religious Instruction = RI, Time = T, Righ = RT, Force = F, Cold = C, Feminine = F, Thick = DIM, Ordinary = O, Dead = D, Prince = P, Delta = D

No 14745, Thursday 19 Mar 2026, Vidwan

Solution to 15A 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   Unveil jersey for professional horse rider (10) SHOWJUMPER {SHOW}{JUMPER}

9   Fail to cut and fall (4) FLOP {F}{LOP}

10 Most splendid, model kind of hair damage (5,3) SPLIT END {SPLENDId+T}*

11 Lifeless and completely overwhelmed by depression after retiring (6) PALLID {ALL} in {DIP<=}

12 A strong hand stretched to gratify (4,4) LONG SUIT {LONG}{SUIT}

15 Solicitor spending time on good turns occasionally to excel (6) O?T?U? (Addendum - OUTGUN {tOUT}{G}{tUrNs} - See comments)

16 Stop or cap it subtly for making chip (6,5) POTATO CRISP*   

22 Kid involved in urban terrorism (6) BANTER [T]

23 Genetics deciphered it? Yes, internally! (8) HEREDITY [T]

26 Make something neat! It's possibly stupidity! (4,2) TIDY UP {TIDY+UP+ITS}*=STUPIDITY

27 Use nice grand solution for upgrading race (8) EUGENICS {USE+NICE+G}*

28 India's first scam superstar (4) ICON {In..a}{CON}

29 Mirth rating possibly for Italian Vermouth (10) EVALUATION  {EVALUATION+MIRTH}* = ITALIAN VERMOUTH

DOWN

1   Juvenile worker's small trip with ruffian, going north (4,3) SHOP BOY {S}{HOP}{YOB<=}

2   Absconding fellow grovelling for shelter (6) AWNING fAWNING

3   Lover welcomes your company (6) BUREAU {B{UR}EAU}

4   Personal article in Europe Daily (2-2) OP-ED [T]

5   Software security flaw is bit about disheartened doctor (4,4) TRAP DOOR {PART<=}{DOctOR}

6   Inspiration for a poet - a loud set from America (8) AFFLATUS {A}{F}{FLAT}{US}

7   Firm and devoted liberal (7) COPIOUS {CO}{PIOUS}

13 Regularly sweat to get established (3) SET {SwEaT]

14 Canine is also half of this! (5) TOOTH {TOO}{THis}

17 Cold, dishonest and isolated (8) OUTLYING {OUT}{LYING}

18 See rapid changes in jet's pace (8) AIRSPEED*

19 Rage, without feminine passion (3) IRE fIRE

20 Gujarat river, essential internally for cassava root product (7) TAPIOCA {TAPI}fOCAl}

21 Boy getting parasite label that clings (5-2) STICK-ON {S{TICK}ON}

24 Fix our suffering (6) RIGOUR {RIG}{OUR}

25 Mark of French-English School on head (6) DENOTE {DE}{ETON<=}

27 Kind of lean style (4) ELAN*

Reference List

Fail = F, Model = T, Time = T, Good = G,  Grand = G, Small = S, Fellow = F, Loud = F, Firm = CO, Feminine = F, Of in French = DE

No 14744, Wednesday 18 Mar 2026, Pixie Dust

Solution to 6D 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   Salt & ice repeatedly consumed... It's divine? (14) ECCLESIASTICAL* Letter Bank

10 Finally Emma, Theo & Roger sight a large vessel (5) AORTA Tail acrostic

11 Spooner's model kin in protective covering (9) NOSEPIECE (~pose niece to nosepiece)

12 Fine in a US state and city (7) OKINAWA {OK}{IN}{A}{WA}

13 Old lady tires out masters (7) MAESTRI {MA}{TIRES*}

14 Curb mob hastily in possession of recalled weapon (1-4) H-BOMB [T<=]

16 Introduce entropies animatedly (9) INTERPOSE*

19 Two young women court lecturer in thermal material (5,4) GLASS WOOL {G}{LASS}{WOO}{L}

20 To some extent glad it's revolutionary and related to current events? (5) TIDAL [T<=]

22 About the endless conflict with Tesla? Awry! (7) ATHWART {A}{THe}{WAR}{T}

25 Exhausted chap Miles, with chapped dirty tumbler (7) GYMNAST {GuY}{M}{NASTy}

27 An "Oval VIP" broadcast referring to the work of a psychologist (9) PAVLOVIAN*

28 As per rumours Miss is unattached (5) LOOSE (~lose) 

29 Does this entitlement programme somehow ease Clod's curiosity? (6,8) SOCIAL SECURITY {SOCIAL+SECURITY+DOES}* = {EASE CLODS CURIOSITY}

DOWN

2   Movies (not English) about Ohio supporting automobile growth (9) CARCINOMA {CINeMA} over {O} under {CAR}

3   Beast and spiritual leader in conversation (5) LLAMA (~lama)

4   Bewildered oarsman in country (3,6) SAN MARINO*

5   Mob cycling around a state in the east (5) ASSAM (-m}ASS(+m) over {A}

6   What a toupee protects is off the record! (3-6) T?P-?E?R?T  (Addendum - TOP-SECRET [C&DD] - See comments)

7   Comb caught by others (5) CREST {C}{REST}

8   General we hear, fixed a dangerous marine condition (3,4) LEE TIDE {LEE}{(~tied)TIDE}

9   Boot from every third magical elmwood? Sigh! (6) GALOSH {maGicAl+eLmwOod+SigH}

15 Supervisor with a heavenly body in a Brazilian dance (5,4) BOSSA NOVA {BOSS}{A}{NOVA}

17 Emerging adult assumes stage is created basically for one well suited to be on screen (9) TELEGENIC {TE{LEG}EN}{Is}{Cr...d}

18 Radical amount? (3,3,3) ODD MAN OUT {AMOUNT}* [RA]

19 Reprimand visiting grand parents for alcoholic drinks (7) GRAPPAS {G}{RAP}{PAS}

21 Panic inside flat he renovated (6) LATHER [T]

23 Leaders having a vacation over Christmas in confusion (5) HAVOC Acrostic

24 Rides in slips (5) TRIPS [DD]

26 Grinder just switched sides (5) MOLAR MO(+l-r)LA(-l+r)R

Reference List

Young woman = G,LASS< Lecturer = L, Tesla = T, Miles = M, English = E, Caught = C, Grand = G

The Sunday Crossword No 3271, Sunday 10 Sep 2023

ACROSS

1   Demands and obtains kiss in ultimately lamentable performances (6) EXACTS {X} in {l...lE}{ACTS}

4   The red flag or The Stars and Stripes Forever? (8) STANDARD [DD]

9   Toiler you picture inputting something thunderously, primarily? (6) TYPIST Acrostic Semi&l;it

10 Celebrated audibly in multiple flights (8) STOREYED (~storyed)

11 Victorian cuisine: scoff a kind of dove, very excited (4,6,4) MOCK TURTLE SOUP {MOCK}{TURTLE}{SO}{UP}

13 'Athirst' regularly rejected, being archaic: that's agreed (3) TIS aThIrSt

15 Brigade, the unruly kind (3-7) BIG-HEARTED {BRIGADE+THE}*

18 Endlessly devour exotic tea that's excellent (10) CONSUMMATE {CONSUMe}{MATE} 

19 English getting runs? One, for a long stretch (3) ERA {E}{R}{A}

20 Out of Sellotape now, all of a sudden (2,3,4,5)  AT ONE FELL SWOOP {OF+SELLOTAPE+NOW}* 

24 Alpinist's regrettable lack of control (8) TAIL SPIN*

25 Socialist in Caracas: Trotskyist? (6) CASTRO [T]

26 An absent-minded shopper might be this vacant (8) LISTLESS {LIST LESS}

27 Read third letter aloud depicting Biblical impediment (3,3) RED SEA (~read c)

DOWN

1   Guess teatime's off? (8) ESTIMATE*

2   When computer's overwhelming Everyman's a kind of jelly (5) ASPIC {AS}{P{I}C}

3   Cricket match on TV: fourth of batsmen in experimental gear (4,5) TEST TUBES {TEST}{TUBE}{batSmen} 

5   Blockbuster, tall tale with orc, rebooted (5,6) TOTAL RECALL {TALL+TALE+ORC}*

6   Invaders laying waste to Australian navy: they're expected (5) NORMS NORManS

7   See our way to resort? Don't worry (2,3,4) AS YOU WERE {SEE+OUR+WAY}* 

8   Two posters stuck up displaying avant-garde art (4) DADA {AD<=}{AD<=}

12 Music and cakes for guttersnipes (11) RAGAMUFFINS {RAGA}{MUFFINS}

14 Charmers, ones that are often fruity (9) SMOOTHIES [DD]

16 Once again enthral, seeing cabbages pruned and half of fragrant sprigs (2-7) RE-ENSLAVE {gREENS}{LAVEnder}

17 Chart with an old record climbing: it's Spanish (8) PAMPLONA  {AN+O+LP}{MAP}<=

21 A plan's arranged, not initially paying through the nose (5) NASAL {A+pLANS}*

22 Swears, finding piece of haggis in porridge earlier (5) OATHS {OAT{Ha...s}S}What's the role of 'EARLIER'?

23 To some extent get along with other people (2,2) ET AL [T]

Reference List

Kiss = X, Very = SO, Excited = UP, English = E, Runs = R, Australian = A, Navy = N, Old = O, Record = LP(Long Play)

No 13966, Saturday 09 Sep 2023, Incognito

ACROSS

8   Father's anger (4) SIRE {S}{IRE}

9   Boy has longing for female animal (5) BITCH {B}{ITCH}

10 Land in middle of water? Somewhat misleading... (4) ISLE [T]

11 Carrying processed weed in ship for some Europeans (6) SWEDES {S{WEED*}S}

12 Began including learner. Surprised? (8) STARTLED {START{L}ED}

13 Taking part of lunch as tea is indecent (8) UNCHASTE [T]

15 Sudden's put bar in a mess (6) ABRUPT*

17 Wail, "Tag is destroyed by bird" (7) WAGTAIL*

19 Go and exercise after putting note in ATM (7) ATTEMPT {PT}<=>{A{T{TE}M}

22 John (in England) gets a dog, for example (6) CANINE {CAN}{IN}{E}

24 Jerkily nods away in these times (8) NOWADAYS*

26 Hen traps laid out for animals (8) PANTHERS* 

28 Know Leonard's back in the doghouse (6) KENNEL {KEN}{LEN<=}

30 Satellite's rings mentioned in a couple of consecutive letters (4) MOON {OO} in {MN}

31 Good precipitation results in edible seed (5) GRAIN {G}{RAIN}

32 Orient every article supplied together, for starters (4) EAST Acrostic

DOWN

1   See and compete with West (4) VIEW {VIE}{W}

2   Cause of violent death around Japanese ruler dropping weapon? (8) HEADSHOT {DEATH*} over {SHOgun}

3   Sailor employs swear words (6) ABUSES {AB}{USES}

4   Hid leaders of the African state in barn (7) STASHED {S{The}{Af...n}{St..e}HED}

5   Bird badly hates nap (8) PHEASANT*

6   Illuminated the extraordinary relic initially seen in garbage (6) LITTER {LIT}{The}{Ex...y}{Re..c}

7   Sad and tailless bull runs around with last piece of rope (4) BLUE {BULl}*{ropE}

14 Animal kept in many a laboratory (5) NYALA  [T]

16 Yup, rejected! Including parish priest's young animal (5) PUPPY {YUP}<= over {PP}

18 Big scree movement may result in shipping hazards (8) ICEBERGS* 

20 Imperil aim with ire (8) ENDANGER {END}{ANGER}

21 Rare ulna is broken and scattered around American university (7) UNUSUAL {ULNA}* over {US}{U}

23 Mean Indian nurse (6) INTEND {IN}{TEND}

25 Rouses woman with crawling snake (6) WAKENS {W}{SNAKE}*

27 Try wearing silver to get full of intense excitement! (4) AGOG {A{GO}G}

29 Eating Asian spicy yam for starters is not difficult (4) EASY Acrostic

Reference List

Boy = B, Ship = SS, Learner = L, Exercise = PT, Note = TE, England = E, Good = G, West = W, Sailor = AB, Parish priest = PP, University = U, Woman = W

Special, Sunday 10 Mar 2019, K Koteswar Rao

Three answers per commenter as usual till 6 PM (Annotations compulsory)
Please provide all your answers in one comment.

ACROSS
7   Troubled Rhodesia is saving expression of shock (2,4)
8   It’s a challenge to discount victory for force in aberration (8)
9   Do they have the power to kill pain? Yes and no, maybe(8)
10 They write in short about saints having unique ascent (6)
11 Wife of Odysseus demolishes compound to run away (5)
12 Express – logic gate sunk in river (6)
14 Come safely at difficult time when mother earth wets badly (7,3,5)
17 Shake a leg to non-stop music. (6)
18 From the very beginning, honest and beardless (2,3)
22 Unruly mob is surrounded by tom in war (6)
23 OK, keyed nothing in order of acceptance (4,4)
24 Test intervals raised? My bad! (8)
25 Satellite company is without friends, without elevation (6)

DOWN
1   Get drone help to test the kidney function (6,3)
2   Take-off, but stop to get drink (4-2)
3   Soft line of practical joke (5)
4   Horse at sea (8)
5   It's legal right of each section to waste gas (8)
6   Atishoo – It’s not for cold (5)
8   Discussions cause stress to India (13)
13 It is infuriating to see poor King V in trouble (9)
15 Rigged ballot? Indeed heartless chests! (8)
16 Gate hid strangely hypothetical person not lasting for long time (5,3)
19 Corporal cover up owned by the kid (6)
20 One in swimming pool has disease (5)
21 Figure out, drop-dead, to be neck and neck (5)

Across Lite version can be accessed at KKR 20

Enjoy.

No 2674, Sunday 19 Feb 12

ACROSS
1   - Lying down in middle of boulevard after drink (6) - SUPINE {SUP}{IN}{E}
4   - In which one may see Odette boast about the French leading English (4,4) - SWAN LAKE {SWAN {LA}K}{E}
10 - Girl cuddling boy in a state (9) - LOUISIANA {LOUIS{IAN}A}
11 - Clear away thatch aloft (3,2) - MOP UP {MOP} {UP}
12 - Cat, say, brought back after search (7) - SCOURGE {SCOUR}{GE<-}

13 - Hornblower's short speech after end of clash (7) - HORATIO {H}{ORATIOn}
14 - Suspicious transaction with him, a republican? (14) - ANTIMONARCHIST {TRANSACTION+HIM}*
17 - Said of a gunslinger pulling a fast one? (5,2,3,4) - QUICK ON THE DRAW [CD]
21 - Drank one given by doctor, one by bunk (7) - IMBIBED {I}{MB}{I}{BED}
22 - Court finally presented with motive for act of betrayal (7) - TREASON {T}{REASON}
24 - Fuss about a single step in a series (5) - STAIR {ST{A}IR}
25 - Complete change of opinion concerning fellow expert (5-4) - ABOUT-FACE {ABOUT}-{F}{ACE}
26 - Provide forceful evidence against the Italian, Italian arrested by pair (8) - MILITATE {M{IL}{IT}ATE}
27 - Is worried about small son getting pet (6) - CARESS {CARES}{S}
DOWN
1   - Willy Loman? Name lass involved (8) - SALESMAN*
2   - Roman god in place, cast out (5) - PLUTO {PL}{OUT*}
3   - Quack remedy in no way unusual (7) - NOSTRUM {NO}{ST}{RUM}
5   - Around northern tip of region, one state with a new meteorological facility (7,7) - WEATHER STATION {WEATHE{R} NSTATION*}
6   - Chief magistrate upset about demo (7) - NOMARCH {NO}{MARCH} Connection between 'on' and magistrate not clear
7   - Inordinate praise about favourite hors d'oeuvre (9) - APPETISER {AP{PET}ISER*}
8   - Use Forster device? (6) - EMPLOY {E.M.}{PLOY} My COD
9   - Respond humorously to fool getting comfortable role? (4,2,4,4) - TAKE IN GOOD PART {TAKE IN} {GOOD} {PART}
15 - Computer image of distressed lamb in hut (9) - THUMBNAIL*
16 - Trendy types, carollers surrounding wife (8) - SWINGERS {S{W}INGERS}
18 - Jazz fan about to reveal what goes on in nightclub? (7) - CABARET {CA{BARE}T}
19 - Choose artist showing a complex character (7) - ELECTRA {ELECT}{RA}
20 - Turn down quantity of Chinese food (3,3) - DIM SUM {DIM} {SUM}

23 - Small girl gets fish (5) - SKATE {S}{KATE}

No 10389, Saturday 18 Feb 12, Sankalak

ACROSS

1   - Capital with arcane British construction (8) - CANBERRA {ARCANE+BR}*

5   - Insulted junior pressman returns escorted by a senior one (6) - ABUSED {A}{BUS<-}{ED}

10 - It's about roaming, but being lost, in ancient city (5) - OSTIA {ITS+AbOut}*

11 - Light made from lamb pelt, a curiosity (5,4) - TABLE LAMP*

12 - Charming suitor, almost loaded, carries note (9) - BEAUTIFUL {BEAU}{TI}{FULl}

13 - Rapid writer (5) - STENO [CD] (Correction - SWIFT [DD] - See comments)

14 - The measure of a monarch (5) - RULER [DD]

16 - Tricked by a trap in the finish (8) - ENSNARED {EN{SNARE}D}

18 - Countermeasure against spot beginning to erupt (8) - ANTIDOTE {ANTI}{DOT}{E}

20 - Teams which may be taken to show support (5) - SIDES [DD]

24 - Conservative girl's bloomer (5) - CANNA {C}{ANNA}

25 - A cover, say, strong and ready for use (9) - AVAILABLE {A}{(~veil)VAIL}{ABLE}

27 - Messenger gets her good brain working (9) - HARBINGER {HER+G+BRAIN}*

28 - A recess for Henry, pleasant all around (5) - NICHE {NIC{H}E}

29 - Express sorrow about the final word accepted by the left (6) - LAMENT {L{AMEN}T}

30 - Like the sky on a cloudy night, lacking big players (8) - STARLESS [DD]

DOWN

1   - Tool used in a cold fight over prohibition (7) - CROWBAR {C}{ROW}{BAR}

2   - A game to catch everyone around Belgium (7) - NETBALL {NET}{B}{ALL}

3   - One-time English law that was just right (5) - EXACT {EX}{ACT}

4   - Formally approve agreement to please one failing to start (6) - RATIFY gRATIFY

6   - Prayers for the happiness of British author in the Bahamas (9) - BLESSINGS {B{LESSING}S}

7   - Providing better shelter from heat could be more dishonest (7) - SHADIER [DD]

8   - Appointed to be placed in action (7) - DEPUTED {DE{PUT}ED}

9   - Mollusc found by sailor by himself (7) - ABALONE {AB}{ALONE}

15 - Help raised in allowance for nuclear fallout (9) - RADIATION {RA{DIA<-}TION}

17 - Volunteer force in retreat, big, is free and threatening (2,5) - AT LARGE {AT<-} {LARGE}

18 - Spirit of business head office besieged by everyone (7) - ALCOHOL {AL{CO}{HO}L}

19 - A puzzle for some Spartan grammarians (7) - TANGRAM [T]

21 - A beadle caught slipping into total disorder (7) - DEBACLE {BEADLE+C}*

22 - They are searching — for a marine cause of trouble, by the sound of it (7) - SEEKERS (~sea){SEE}{KERS}(~curse)

23 - Growing underground, it causes the motor to deteriorate (6) - CARROT {CAR}{ROT}

26 - He shuns company but brings unity between sides (5) - LONER {L{ONE}R}

LINK TO GRID

No 2672, Sunday 05 Feb 12

ACROSS
1   - Precedent in case (7) - EXAMPLE [CD]
5   - Hounds from British estate (7) - BASSETS {B}{ASSETS}
9   - List at home about family (7) - INCLINE {IN}{C}{LINE}
10 - Short argument with the French about superior kitchen tool (7) - SPATULA {SPAT}{U}{LA}
11 - Veteran worried about extremely lazy Goldeneye character (9) - TREVELYAN {TREVE{LazY}AN*}
12 - Moisten, while cooking, some lamb (a steak) (5) - BASTE [T]
14 - Ham-fisted lad may, developing film (3,6,6) - THE ADDAMS FAMILY*
16 - What it may do if the weather's beastly? (4,4,3,4) - RAIN CATS AND DOGS [CD]
17 - Slowed down when in ebbing river (5) - EASED {E{AS}ED<-}
18 - What could make one lie square? (9) - EQUALISER*
21 - End up in revolution abroad (4,3) - TURN OUT {TURN} {OUT}
23 - Religious glibness in meeting Judge disregarded (7) - UNCTION  jUNCTION
24 - Sharp reply about accepting one appointment (7) - RIPOSTE {R{I}{POST}E}
25 - Back trouble in so tempestuous a love affair (7) - LIASION {LIA<-}{ISON*}
DOWN
1   - See English policeman over court order (5) - EDICT {E}{DI}{CT}
2   - Chief antagonists cheer as mine explodes (11) - ARCHENEMIES*
3   - Chief's brief (5) - PRIME [DD]
4   - Setter barking at three in a Liverpool playhouse (8,7) - EVERYMAN THEATRE {EVERYMAN} {THEATRE*} Everyman being the setter of this CW in the Guardian.
5   - Concern when general spells out Asquith's policy in the early days of World War I? (8,2,5) - BUSINESS AS USUAL {BUSINESS} {AS} {USUAL}
6   - Celebrity to get on the right side (9) - STARBOARD {STAR}{BOARD}
7   - Bird exhibited in Science Museum (3) - EMU [T]
8   - Two moccasins, say, either side of gumshoe (5,4) - SNAKE EYES {SNAKE {EYE}S}
13 - Children's outfits from Russia - lost, I suspect (6,5) - SAILOR SUITS*

14 - Nonsense written about wise counsellor, a tease (9) - TORMENTOR {TOR<-}{MENTOR}
15 - Losing leaves, pair, American, after first of December (9) - DECIDUOUS  {DEC}{1}{DUO}{US}
19 - Synthetic fabric left Cary uncomfortable (5) - LYCRA {L}{YCRA*}
20 - Arrest knight in bankruptcy (3,2) - RUN IN {RU{N} IN}
22 - Pounding music (3) - RAP [DD]

No 10377, Saturday 04 Feb 12, Buzzer

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

We've completed 3 years today and starting out on the 4th. Thanks to all visitors of the blog for making it an interesting meeting place.
ACROSS

9   - Art of a swindler lacking in morals (7) - SCIENCE conSCIENCE

10 - Cock-a-hoop making way for one merrymaking binge (7) - ROISTER {RO(-o+i)ISTER} My COD

11 - Equines — pony, stallion or mare, all seen primarily in a racecourse (5) - EPSOM {E}{P}{S}{O}{M}

12 - Political system in Goa, richly corrupt (9) - OLIGARCHY*

13 - One dashing one dashing funny funny writer (5,4) - OGDEN NASH {ONE DASHiNG}*

14 - Be mad or be astonished about love (2,3) - GO APE {G{O} APE}

15 - Bacchanalia of French, British and also German (7) - DEBAUCH {BE}{B}{AUCH}

17 - Rants from Buzzer's old wife, silly at first (7) - BELLOWS {BELL}{O}{W}{S}

19 - Stop notices say (5) - CEASE (~sees)

20 - Neighbourhood watch outcome? (5,4) - LOCAL TIME [CD]

22 - Be rational like this clue (4,5) - MAKE SENSE [CD]

24 - Sharp pain (5) - SMART [DD]

25 - Working barista, a student of Middle Eastern culture (7) - ARABIST*

26 - Rich and pompous lie on it regularly (7) - OPULENT pOmPoUs LiE oN iT

DOWN

1   - A drug means body in heaven (8) - ASTEROID {A}{STEROID}

2   - Lost in fog reportedly (6) - MISSED (~mist)

3   - Police state he is above the law (3-3,4) - ONE-MAN RULE {ONE-MAN} {RULE}

4   - Path once crossed to reach an empty tomb (8) - CENOTAPH*

5   - Warrant to arrest a husband's ghost (6) - WRAITH {WR{A}IT}{H}

6   - Stradivarius essentially for a performer (4) - DIVA straDIVArius

7   - Disconnected. Speech. Like. This. (8) - STACCATO [CD]

8   - Sock pattern is oddly gray, evenly blue (6) - ARGYLE {GRAY*}{bLuE}

14 - Wolverine dubbed in Telugu? LOL! us customers… (4,6) - GULO LUSCUS [T]

16 - … some of us find it a bad sign (5,3) - BLACK CAT [CD]

17 - Non-union man (8) - BACHELOR [CD]

18 - See an art gallery under design (8) - SPECTATE {SPEC}{TATE}

19 - Groom a model for engagement (6) - COMBAT {COMB}{A}{T}

20 - Measure duration of stay (6) - LENGTH [DD]

21 - Girl in adventurous abseil (6) - ISABEL*

23 - Pronounced melancholy engulfs one (4) - SAID {SA{I}D}

LINK TO GRID