Special, Tuesday 20 Oct 2026, Gussalufz

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.

Enjoy.

No 14915, Monday 05 Oct 2026, Gussalufz

Solution to 5D 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.

THREE TRICKY ONES

ACROSS

9   One gets complaints so dumb! Am flustered and close to exhaustion (9) OMBUDSMAN {SO+DUMB+AM}*{e...oN}

10 Wicked bouncer, jaffa? Look, concentrate, finally duck (5) DRAKE Tail Acrostic

11 Take it quietly, go on (7) PRESUME {P}{RESUME}

12 Breathe fire (7) INSPIRE [DD]

13 Turn vessel collecting drip (5) PIVOT {P{IV}OT}

14 A question about relationships (9) EQUATIONS*

16 Sec. censored porn scattered in letters (15) CORRESPONDENCES*

19 Maybe insert a comma in wordplay; cut roughly at end of phrase? (9) PUNCTUATE {PUN}{CUT*}{AT}{p...sE}

22 Frenchman and German captured by spies backing trickery (5) MAGIC {M}{CI{G}A<=}

24 Tried miserably sad eyes (7) ESSAYED*

26 First among desserts is cake trimmed with fudge (7) DISTORT {De...s}{IS}{TORTe}

27 Fierce dinosaur repelled after conclusion of dire struggle (5) EXERT {T-REX<=}<=>{dirE}

28 Secret of strep, one merciless bacterium (9) TREPONEME [T]

DOWN

1   Enliven very plump-at-the-core small dog (4,2) SOUP UP {SO}{plUmp}{PUP}

2   Witness some deliveries bearing "Bombay Stock Exchange" sticker at the bottom (8) OBSERVER {O{BSE}{s...eR}VER}

3   Student jam triggered change (10) ADJUSTMENT*

4   Victim: pedestrian hanging outside bar (6) IMPEDE [T]

5   Tailless lizard — it can be black or red on top — from a Caribbean island (8) ?N?I?U?N (Addendum - ANTIGUAN {ANT}{IGUANa} - See comments)

6   Podcaster's sales pitches for supplements (4) ADDS (~ads}

7   Some countered: London is actually a better place? (6) CASINO [T<=]

8   Oracle up, reinforced by tax breaks (8) RECESSES {SEER<=} over {CESS}

15 The real aim, ultimately, is to start to reverse-engineer a semiconductor device (10) THERMISTOR {THE}{R}{aiM}{IS}{TO}{Re...r}

16 Encrypted redesign of chip before sending, essentially (8) CIPHERED {CHIP*}{ERE}{senDing}

17 Congratulations, extremely professional investigations! (8) PLAUDITS {Pr...aL}{AUDITS}

18 Minor employee can at last sign name (8) COGNOMEN {COG}{caN}{OMEN}

20 More demanding about one's working post-retirement (6) NOSIER {RE}{1'S}{ON}<=

21 Editor passes on some current events (6) EDDIES {ED}{DIES}

23 Catholic feels sorry for priest getting ignored in urban areas (6) CITIES {C}{pITIES}

25 Hairy creature regularly seen lifting in the gym (4) YETI {In+ThE+gYm}<=

Reference List

Quietly = P, Drip = IV, Frenchman = M< German = G, Real = R, Before = ERE, About = RE, Editor = ED, Catholic = C, Priest = P

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 70, Sunday 23 Aug 2026, Gussalufz

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.

23-7 (4)

ACROSS

1   Makeshift hospital embraced by a physician (2,3) AD HOC {A}{D{H}OC}

4   One with crooked supporters, out eating some breakfast (3-6) BOW-LEGGED {BOWL{EGG}ED}

9   Study a large, grand, headless animal (7) ALGEBRA {A}{L}{G}{zEBRA}

10 Think exchanging bishop for rook is free? (7) RELIEVE (-b+r)RELIEVE

11 Kitchen area is secure (6) ISLAND {IS}{LAND}

12 Recommends inspiring retired teacher for those needing a guide (8) TOURISTS {TOU{SIR<=}TS}

14 Choke a potty (4) GAGA {GAG}{A}

15 Chief mischief-maker's cryptic grid? Learn about misdirections, essentially (10) RINGLEADER {GRID+LEARN}* over {m...rEc...s}

18 Small charges tend to soar while travelling (10) DETONATORS*

19 Charging device in vehicle died (4) CARD {CAR}{D}

22 Some schools provided retreats—quiet, distant monasteries, basically (4,4) FISH FARM {IF<=}{SH}{FAR}{Mo...s}

24 Tough series India lost for nought (6) STRONG STR(-i+o)ONG

26 One wished vacation in Gulag for vile person (1,3,3) A BAD EGG {A}{BADE}{GulaG}

27 Dignified mournful song abruptly cut off by pest (7) ELEGANT {ELEGy}{ANT}

28 Blasted constant tea breaks spoiled sport for viewer (9) SPECTATOR {C+TEA}* in {SPORT}*

29 About a facial feature somehow, IMO, lacking in enigmatic Mona Lisa (5) NASAL {moNA+LiSA}*

DOWN

1   Alibaba's ingenuity keeps humbling (7) ABASING [T]

2   Oh, sigh, flight has no openings; that creates stress (9) HIGHLIGHT {oH}{sIGH}{fLIGHT}

3   Conservative American houses prohibit cigars (6) CUBANS {C}{U{BAN}S} 

4   Swine stole last part of dinner (4) BOAR {BOA}{d...eR}

5   Hawks not cool with taking more time without starting attacks, ultimately (10) WARMONGERS {WARM}{lONGER}{a...kS}

6   Blew up grenade accidentally, after consuming a spot of liquor (8) ENLARGED {EN{Li...r}ARGED*}

7   Attendees rising regularly, sure enough (5) GOERS {SuRe+EnOuGh<=}

8   Doctor sees broken middle of arm with hospital assistant (7) DRESSER {DR}{SEES*}{aRm}

13 Entitlement of merriment without male interrupting—brilliant! (10) BIRTHRIGHT {B{mIRTH}RIGHT}

16 Oil and gas refining lines (9) DIAGONALS*

17 Roughly fifteen divided by hundred, basically (2,6) IN EFFECT {FIFTEEN}* over {C}

18 Satisfied all over with nibbles and licks (7) DEFEATS {FED<=}{EATS}

20 Like a country mostly computerised (7) DIGITAL {DIG}{ITALy}

21 Scattered news pieces involving evacuation in Thanjavur (6) STREWN {S{Th...uR}EWN*}

23 Special first-class room (5) SPACE {SP}{ACE}

25 University earnestly restrains student group (4) YEAR [T]

Reference List

Hospital = H, Large = L, Grand = G, Bishop = B, Rook = R, Died = D, Quiet = SH, India = I, Constant = C, Conservative = C, Male = M, Hundred = C, Special = SP

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 14829, Thursday 25 Jun 2026, Gussalufz

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.

NICE PAIN

ACROSS

1   Workers laid off? Tad fishy (3,5) DAY SHIFT*

6   Ignore outrageous abyss next to eastern edge of camp (4,2) PASS BY {ABYSS}*<=>{camP}

9   The two of us texted for dinner options? (4) MENU (~ ME 'N U}

10 Bali trek is tailor-made for rugged two-wheelers (5,5) TRAIL BIKES*

11 Straight storyteller capturing fringes of lesbian lore (6) LINEAR {LI{l...aN}{lorE}AR}

12 Detective probing American dude's murder (8) HOMICIDE {HOMI{CID}E}

13 Om: "I bit mice, dubiously imitating nature" (10) BIOMIMETIC*

15 Gussalufz accompanying gangster for lunch? (4) MEAL {ME}{AL}

17 Unchanged support after leader's ouster (2,2) AS IS bASIS

18 Son, sleep long on ship, for energy (10) SNAPPINESS {S}{NAP}{PINE}{SS}

20 Antelope ecosystem buckled after all-round grazing (8) STEMBUCK [T] Couldn't find this spelling anywhere

22 Spicy stew leads to rectal agony (painful inflammation) (6) RAGOUT {Re...l}{Ag..y}{GOUT}

24 Young abstainers, taking off clothes, give up and loudly dance on ecstasy (4,2,4) BAND OF HOPE {aBANDOn}{F}{HOP}{E}

26 Head priest dined (4) PATE {Pr...t}{ATE}

27 Party offering to preserve copy (6) CANAPE {CAN}{APE}

28 Grasshoppers returned regularly, used midday attacks (8) KATYDIDS {uSeD+mIdDaY+aTtAcKs}<=

DOWN

2   Rampant tantrum and rage in resort, for starters (9) A?E?I?I?S (Addendum - APERITIFS {S{FIT}{IRE}PA}<= - See comments)

3   A brute, lacking limits in behaviour, goes after small fry (5)  SAUTE {A}{brUTE}<=>{S}

4   Acting in period features (international) (7) INTERIM {IN TER{I}M}

5   Half of trailer cut for interval (3) TEA TEAser

6   European with microphone, offering contentious argument (7) POLEMIC {POLE}{MIC}

7   Train workers to crawl through hairy mews with caution, ultimately (9) SWITCHMEN {ITCH}* in {MEWS*}{c...oN} 

8   Badaam at first, then take paratha? (5) BREAD {Ba...m}{READ}

12 Ah, turning pitch, where some bowlers might be rested (7) HATRACK {AH<=}{TRACK}

14 Indian state in upheaval around healthcare staff cut: news outlets (4,5) MASS MEDIA {ASSAM<=} over {MEDIcs}

16 Like the middle of hamburger slices—seasoned and battered (9) ASSAULTED {AS}{SA{h..bUr..r}LTED}

18 Very upset, not right dish (7) SOUFFLE {SO}{rUFFLE}

19 A fine, extremely encyclopedic Essence of Anatomy textbook (7) PERFECT {PER}{F}{En...iC}{anaTomy}

21 ChatGPT, possibly possessed by craftiness, goes overboard; this might go over one's head (5) TIARA {AR{AI}T}<=

23 Road-racing? A pedestrian crossing sides stared in shock (5) GAPED [T]

25 Steep drop terminal for Christmas tree (3) OAK sOAK

Reference List

Gangster = AL(Capone), Son = S, Ship = SS, Loudly = F, Ecstasy = E, Small = S, Right = R, Fine = F

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 58, Sunday 31 May 2026, Gussalufz

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)

2 X 16

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

ACROSS

9   Herb tea with spies breaking double agent (9) CHAMOMILE {CHA}{MO{MI}LE}

10 In the morning, milk please (5) AMUSE {AM}{USE}

11 They chop legs, go berserk arresting—right? (7) LOGGERS {LEGS+GO}* over {R}

12 Nothing about finest American army character? (7) OCTOPUS {O}{C}{TOP}{US} 

13 Trunk calls finally going through to Romania (5) TORSO {callS} in {TO}{RO}

14 Batter's strategy: turn hand, deftly clipping one (3-3-3) HIT-AND-RUN {TURN+HAND}* over {1}

16 Artist going ahead sans wife (post-retirement party), boarding shortly, departing from Ivory Coast (8,2,5) LEONARDO DA VINCI {ONwARD}{DO<=} in {LEAVINg}{CI}

19 Spray fizzy blue sticky stuff around and around (9) NEBULISER {BLUE*} in {RESIN<=}

22 Giant beast regularly seen in tourist destinations (5) GATES {GiAnT+bEaSt}

24 Mug delivered comfort (7) SUCCOUR (~sucker)

26 Champion bandages strained back to get going (7) ACTUATE {AC{TAUT<=}E}

27 Almost without question, ultimately primitive (5) EARLY nEARLY

28 Talk fondly about politician—nationalist steeped in revolutionary X factor (9) COMPONENT {CO{MP}O}{T{N}EN<=}

DOWN

1   Model clad at the top in extra revolting shirt (6) SCULPT {PLU{Clad}S<=}{T}

2   Joey's mum cooked Goan okra (8) KANGAROO*

3   "Busy?" "Negative; routine overtime pain" (4,2,4) NOSE TO TAIL {NO}{SET}{OT}{AIL}

4   Some think it's cheap art (6) KITSCH [T]

5   Returning to chaps beaten in love (8) BESOTTED {BES{TO<=}TED}

6   Terminal transformation that converts a male into a mate? (4) LAST {L as T} 

7   Extremely bored by quiet meal (6) SUPPER {SU{P}PER}

8   A lot of brothels in Kiev city (8) HELSINKI [T]

15 Winning title, terrible tsar rejected guidance (10) NAVIGATION {NO 1}{TAG}{IVAN}<=}

16 After digestion, meaningless to avoid blasting gas: court judges (8) LINESMEN {MEaNINgLEsS}*

17 Underworld's grand rivalry creating scandal (8) DISGRACE {DIS}{G}{RACE}

18 Admitting shell shock over weirdos (8) NUTCASES {CASE} in {STUN<=}

20 Rhombic or noodle-shaped boxing headgear (6) BICORN [T]

21 Charity supporting religious education zones (6) REALMS {ALMS}<=>{RE}

23 Yes, women at dances like your gym body (6) SWEATY {YES+W+AT}*

25 After shedding pounds, just ten stone (4) ONYX {ONlY}{X}

 

Reference List

Spies = MI, Double agent = MOLE, Right = R, About = C, Wife = W, Nationalist = N, Shirt = T, Overtime = OT, Quiet = P, Underworld = DIS, Grand = G, Religious education = RE, Womwn = W, Pounds = L

No 14799, Thursday 21 May 2026, Gussalufz

Solution to 7D 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.

BY GEORGE!

ACROSS

1   European in hurry, cycling for show (5) USHER {E} in {(-r)USH(+r)R}

4   Supported revolutionary Polish pacifist, right? (5,4) TIDED OVER {EDIT<=}{DOVE}{R}

9   West Indian player's style: play flamboyantly well, chasing century (7) CALYPSO {PLAY*}{SO}<=>{C}

10 Chest scratched on both sides? Characteristic of fretfulness (7) COFFRET [T]

11 Man, perhaps I'm boring, overly fussy (6) ANIMAL {AN{IM}AL}

12 Stick slice of orange in bread—pastry! (8) NAPOLEON {NA{POLE}{Or...e}N

14 Gluttons slurp revoltingly, guzzling gallons (4) PIGS {S{G}IP<=}

15 Worried if flu U-turn is something not likely to yield (10) UNFRUITFUL*

18 With constraints dropped, Agent-I lessened courteous behaviour (10) GENTILESSE [T] Not exactly constraints that are dropped?

19 Till supply ends / first of February (4) FARM {ARM}<=>{Fe...y}

22 Unethical lab won; safeguards partially retracted? Swell! (8) SNOWBALL [T<=]

24 Popcorn ABC? (6) CARBON {CORN+AB}*

26 Firm absurdly leaden, time to intervene (2,5) AL DENTE {LEADEN}* over {T}

27 Exciting undergarment and new shirt, after six (7) VIBRANT {BRA}{N}{T}<=>{VI}

28 Deodorise extravagantly around centre of navel, conceding, "I used too much" (9) OVERDOSED {DEODORiSE}* over {naVel}

29 Dog//fighter? (5) BOXER [DD]

DOWN

1   Release snake under bulk of relative (7) UNCLASP {ASP}<=>{UNCLe}

2   Continuing with unfinished holy dip? No, god no! (7,2) HOLDING ON {HOLy}{DIp}{No}{GOd}{No}

3   Withdraw and go authentic, says Rev. Spooner (6) REPEAL (~pee real to repeal)

4   Excessively large organ (4) TOOL {TOO}{L}

5   A tense detective from the south: "Lock this tyrant!" (10) DICTATRESS {A}{T}{CID}<={TRESS}

6   Flower's top decomposed one day after coming up (8) DAFFODIL {LID}{OFF}{A}{D}<=

7   Very complete bar, special spirit (5) V?R?E (Addendum - VERVE {V}{sERVE} - See comments)

8   It's about parts of kidneys, about part of eye (7) RETINAL {RE{IT<=}NAL}

13 Being not OK with news—sullen, distressed (10) UNWELLNESS*

16 Female hit lovers with torches (9) FLAMBEAUX {F}{LAM}{BEAUX}

17 Stripped and dressed bird, including part of skeleton (8) RIBBONED {RIB{BONE}D*}

18 Bad cops with backing? Nothing touches, say! (7) GESTAPO {O}{PATS}{EG}<=

20 Brute force unleashed by Mrs., often randomly (7) MONSTER {MRS+OfTEN}*

21 Tree regularly seen by a tomb, maybe (6) BAOBAB {By+A+tOmB+mAyBe}

23 Love left to wither, that's nothing new (5) OLDIE {O}{L}{DIE}

25 A film that's intense (4) AVID {A}{VID}

Reference List

European = E, Right = R, Well = SO, Century = C, Gallons = G, Time = T, New = N, Shirt = T, Large = L, Tense = T, Lock = TRESS, Day = D, Very = V, Special = S, Female = F, Force = F, Left = L

No 14798, Wednesday 20 May 2026, Gussalufz

Solution to 28A 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.

FIVE FIRSTS

ACROSS

1   I.A.S.-mess-rejected paneer is cooked for groom (5) PREEN {PaNEER+is}*

4   Think, essentially during rehabilitating, dad's peer lost hope (9) DESPAIRED {thInk}* in {DADS+PEER}*

9   Therefore, time to get into fried roti and rice dish (7) RISOTTO {SO}{T} in {ROTI}*

10 I caught hint of lightheartedness in tear-jerking piece (7) ARTICLE {ART{I}{C}{Li...s}E*}

11 "Am like this" statement of kinky person's sex life (4-10) SELF-EXPRESSION {PERSONS+SEX+LIFE}* {PERSONS+SEX+LIFE}*

12 Has secretly grown stronger (4) OWNS [T]

13 Internal communication terminals? Never send shocking letters (5,4) NERVE ENDS*

17 Brought balance to English squad? Lie, unfortunately (9) EQUALISED {E}{SQUAD+LIE}*

19 So savage, revolting! (4) ERGO<=

22 Typical daily routine, retired father's habit (14) CHARACTERISTIC {CHAR}{ACT}{SIRE<=}{TIC}

25 Muslim League Dr. regularly rejected separation theory? (7) DUALISM {MuSlIm+LeAgUe+Dr}<=

26 Call mum, son's misbehaving (7) SUMMONS*

27 Thought Tendulkar initially did umpiring all around (9) MEDITATED {MEDI{Te...r}ATED}

28 Jam? Badgers not sure (5) P?E?S (Addendum - PRESS PRESsureS - See comments)

DOWN

1   Whisper: "Is cop ethically carrying navy instrument?" (9) PERISCOPE [T]

2   Greek character cycled solo, drinking sip after exercising (7) EPSILON {(+e)ELON(-e)} over {SIP}*

3   Tune cocktail, adding minute bit of ground spice (6) NUTMEG {TUNE}* over {M} and {Gr...d}

4   Dung drips, pong spreads (9) DROPPINGS*

5   Film mount (5) SCALE [DD]

6   Cadet, set target somewhat westward; confirmed? (8) ATTESTED [T<=]

7   Nocturnal creature gallivanting on a croc (7) RACCOON*

8   Outstanding tenor song (4) DUET {DUE}{T}

14 Put right colour on unfinished sweet after flipping (9) REDRESSED {RED}{DESSERt<=}

15 Arrays of small pipes constraining toilet area (9) SHOWCASES {S}{HO{WC}{A}SES}

16 Philanthrope, gangster, one inspired by faith (8) ALTRUIST {AL}{TRU{1}ST}

18 Never listened to you (reportedly) and her frolicking (7) UNHEARD {(~you)U)(AND+HER}*

20 Fury wife unleashed on staff, blowing top for dirty room (7) RATHOLE {wRATH}{pOLE}

21 Stabilise tree stump, cutting 40% off (4,2) FIRM UP {FIR}{stUMP}*

23 Around peak of Olympus, encountered heavenly sight (5) COMET {C}{Ol...s}{MET}

24 Feature gains depth deleting tense reference entry (4) IDEM I(+d-t)DEM

Reference List

Time = T, English = E, Minute = M, Tenor = T, Small = S, Toilet = WC, Area = A, Gangster = AL(Capone), Wife = W, Around = C, Depth = D, Tense = T

No 14769, Thursday 16 Apr 2026, Gussalufz

Solution to 18A 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.

HIJKLMNO Pronounced

ACROSS

1   Development environment that boss nearly destroyed to grasp a bit of programming (4,4) STOP BATH {THAT+BOSs}* over {Pr...g}

6   Surprise for woman expecting escort? (6) SHOWER [DD]

9   Setter going for a social media interaction with Victoria, perhaps (4) LAKE L(-i+a)AKE

10 Some elaborate trap to teach obscure grammatical term? (10) TETRAPTOTE [T]

11 Oh, let's go back for a campus gathering (6) HOSTEL {OH<=}{LETS<=} 

12 Gang, in memoir, was regularly retreating for sport (8) SWIMMING {GaNg+In+MeMoIr+WaS}<=

13 Writer got sharply panned (10) STYLOGRAPH*

15 Cocaine, son, right away! (4) SNOW {S}{NOW}

17 Collect fingerprint pattern after returning (4) POOL<= 

18 Old bird circling cloud or a kind of delivery service? (4-2-4) D?O?-T?-D?O? (Addendum DOOR-TO-DOOR {D{OORT}ODO}{OR} - See comments)

20 Set out quinoa around five following chef's first dish (3,2,3) COQ AU VIN {QUINOA}* over {V} after{Chef}

22 "Outcome of naughty pout?" "Keeping quiet" (6) UPSHOT {UP{SH}OT*}

24 Made dry Indian crispy chicken starters, gobbled up with daughter (10) DESICCATED {DESI}{Cr...y}{Ch...n}{ATE}{D}

26 Welcome husband's distress (4) HAIL {H}{AIL}

27 Disentangle gunk and snot after blowing noses (6) UNKNOT {gUNK+sNOT

28 Spooner's young boy, batter with poor judgement (3,5) BAD TASTE (tad baste to bad taste)

DOWN

2   Quite a fort! Wonderfully hosts a small party (3,3,3) TEA FOR TWO [T]

3   Fold coat, bottom to middle (5) PLEAT PL(+e)EAT(-e)

4   Essentially, can't I logically use this operation to convert, say, 1 to 10? (7) ANTILOG [T]

5   How to prune butts, becoming attractive (3) HOT {HOw}{To}

6   Unoriginal southern liberal (7) SLAVISH {S}{LAVISH}

7   Made improvements in newspaper column about model I.I.M.s, with editing (9) OPTIMISED {OP ED} over {T+IIMS}*

8   Scoffed at faceless men on ecstasy (5) EATEN {AT}{mEN}<=>{E}

12 Squabble over private resort area (3,4) SPA TOWN {SPAT}{OWN}

14 All muddled, old language includes old pronunciation of R as L (9) LALLATION {ALL}* {LATIN} over {O}

16 One studying mountains is ordinary for university doctor (9) OROLOGIST (-u+o)OROLOGIST

18 Voted crankily to accommodate company housing for pigeons (7) DOVECOT {DOVE{CO}T*}

19 Lacking advanced auxiliary supports, ramshackle hut collapsed noisily (7) THUDDED {aADDED}<=>{HUT*}

21 Main article chases CEO's replacement (5) OCEAN {AN}<=>{CEO}*

23 Uh, sound missing in a chainsaw's clattering? (5) SCHWA CHAinSaW*

25 Save up for boat (3) TUB<=

Reference List

Son = S, Old bird = DODO, Cloud = OORT, Quiet = SH, Daughter = D, Husband = H, Southern = S, Model = T, Ecstasy = E, Old = O, Ordinary = O, University = U, Advanced = A

No 14740, Friday 13 Mar 2026, Gussalufz

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SIX FOR DRAVID

ACROSS

9   Rouse a crowd, say, with: "Let ICE fry in hell!" (9) ELECTRIFY*

10 Fool's confession? Gather together (5) AMASS {AM ASS}

11 Delegates declined drinks (had food) in retreat (7) DETAILS {SLI{ATE}D}<=

12 Terribly despicable (not "possibly bad"!) alignment with dark consequences (7) ECLIPSE {dESPICabLE}*

13 Gathering in old city? No parking (5) EKING pEKING

14 Super sale blowout delights (9) PLEASURES*

16 A characteristic of a mole: rams above-ground building (9,6) AVOGADROS NUMBER*

19 Setter's sixth sense rejected eating noodles with Dr. X, perhaps (9) PSEUDONYM {MY}{ESP}<= over {UDON} 

22 Make a hash of blowing new horn (5) BUGLE BUnGLE

24 Slice of tasteless ham? Poor free offering in hotel (7) SHAMPOO [T]

26 Still harbouring a touch of resentment or done? (7) THROUGH {TH{Re...t}OUGH}

27 Short story about something deadly and gripping (5) TALON {TALe}{ON}

28 Advocate uncle's case follows "good lie" going awry (9) IDEOLOGUE {UnclE}<=>{GOOD+LIE}*

DOWN

1   Getting upset, some held demonstrations to interfere (6) MEDDLE [T<=]

2   Regularly seen once, Guntur lion now is a very fast and hard-to-find traveller (8) NEUTRINO {oNcE+gUnTuR+lIoN+nOw}

3   Performers bring cycles into rack (6,4) STRING BAND {ST{(-b)RING(+b)B}AND}

4   Raises price of second-rate, extremely insipid drink (4,2) BIDS UP {B}{In...iD}{SUP}

5   Prepares to print test (yes, after repairs), inserting page (8) TYPESETS {TEST+YES}* over {P}

6   Separation: wife gets everything (4) WALL {W}{ALL}

7   Hack: become thinner consuming minimally, essentially (6) TAMPER {TA{m..iMa..Y}PER}

8   Judge a rose, looking at sections repeatedly (8) ASSESSOR [Letterbank]

15 Unpleasant smell under butt, right? Only after scratching opening in a persistent manner (10) STUBBORNLY {BO}<=>{STUB} and {R}{oNLY}

16 A very quiet old place is suitable (8) APPOSITE {A}{PP}{O}{SITE}

17 Arup, inform Gita: "Exposed, try to escape!" (3,3,2) RUN FOR IT {aRUp}{iNFORm}{gITa}

18 Have hard feelings about buggy debugger (8) BEGRUDGE*

20 When a blessing carries sanction (6) ENABLE [T]

21 Parent of insect queen (6) MOTHER [DD]

23 Repeats start of exercise routines without resistance (6) ECHOES {Ex...e}{CHOrES}

25 Colour of Pandya's first tattoo (4) PINK {Pa...a}{INK}

Reference List

Parking = P, New = N, About = ON, Second-rate = B, Page = P, Wife = W, Unpleasant smell = BO(Body odour), Right = R, Very quiet = PP, Old = O, Resistance = R