N0 14898, Monday 14 Sep 2026, KrisKross

GANESH CHATHURTHI GREETINGS

Artwork by Prasanna

Rangoli by Gowri

Solution to 5A 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   After retirement, I could be surrounded by busy, cross, mean folks (8) SCROOGES {EGO<=} in {CROSS}*

5   Blame one catching dogs right away (6) ?C?U?E (Addendum - ACCUSE {AC{CUrS}E} - See comments)

9   Entertain soldiers active in part of Greece (8) RECREATE {RE}{CRE{A}TE}

10 Breathe hot and strong (6) INHALE {IN}{HALE}

12 Young reporter going around on beat exposed very ruthless robber (9) BUCCANEER {CUB<=}{CANE}{vERy}

13 Expression of pain from New Agra hospital (5) AARGH {AGRA}*{H}

14 Most ethical housing - let it stand (4) STET ]T]

16 Thrashing out new IIT coaching (7) TUITION {OUT+N+IIT}*

19 In the end, consuming drug minimally (2,5) AT LEAST {AT L{E}AST}

21 What many eateries never update primarily? (4) MENU Acrostic &lit

24 Perhaps Jerry's inspiration to win Tom's heart (5) MOUSE {M{tOm}USE}

25 Cunning tailors basically amending rates of dresses (9) SARTORIAL {TAILORS+Am...g+Ra..s}*

27 Counter the Muslim pilgrim and the French prophet (6) ELIJAH {HAJI}{LE}<=

28 Play with liberal approach in the auditorium (8) LATITUDE {L}{(~attitude)ATITUDE)

29 Lakhs struggling to grasp old Sanskrit verse (6) SHLOKA {SHL{O}KA*}

30 KrisKross is enthralled by mysterious saints - they believe in spirits (8) ANIMISTS {AN{I'M}ISTS*}

DOWN

1   Copy boarded by extremely secretive writer (6) SCRIBE {S{CRIB}E}

2   Mythical bird about to crack a couple of eggs in a flamboyant style (6) ROCOCO {ROC}{O{C}O}

3   Turn a precious stone over in conclusion (5) OMEGA {A}{GEM}{O}<=

4   Request to come in, remove shoe, finally have food (7) ENTREAT {ENTeR}{EAT}

6   Government and WHO ultimately contain spreading disease (9) CONTAGION {G+whO+CONATIN}*

7   Brave lover, a bit upset, back to attack (8) UNAFRAID {FAN}{Up..t}<={RAID}

8   Treat this animal appallingly to get patent leather (8) ELEPHANT {ELEPHANT+TREAT}*=PATENT LEATHER [CA]

11 Bug in part of instrument (4) FRET [DD]

15 Name two forms of transport around Delaware (9) TRADEMARK {TRA{DE}M}{ARK}

17 Safe house initially missing a member? (8) HARMLESS {Ho..e}{ARMLESS}

18 Washed up mud essentially picked up by everyone with container (8) ALLUVIAL {mUd} in {ALL}{VIAL}

20 Difficult job to eat last bit of murukku, lacking a tooth (4) TUSK {T(-a+u)USK}

21 Plague is awful … starting to ravage millions … absolute ruin! (7) MURRAIN {Ra...e+M+A+RUIN}*

22 Kindles with tips on reading (6) PIQUES (~peaks)

23 Columns broken by large tools (6) PLIERS {P{L}IERS} I don't think PLIERS has a plural

26 Priest leaves stand in disgrace (5) ODIUM pODIUM

Reference List

Soldiers = RE(Royal Engineers), Active = A, Hot = IN, Hospital = H, New = N, Drug = E, The in French = LE, Liberal = L, Old = O, About = C, Over = O, Government = G, Millions = M, Absolute = A, Large = L, Priest = P

No 14873, Saturday 15 Aug 2026, KrisKross

                                                   Happy Independence Day

Artwork by Prasanna

Rangoli by Gowri

ACROSS 

1 Not on time... gets missed by the audience (8) OFFSTAGE {OFF}{STAGE}
5 Under pressure, judge acted badly, losing head (6) JAMMED {J}{hAMMED}
9 Slippery end of rink — falling every so often, called for vehicle (8) TRICYCLE {TRICkY}{CaLlEd}

10 Farewells in America break down you and me (6) ADIEUS {A}{DIE}{US}
12 I get a note: "Fantastic bargain!" (9) NEGOTIATE*
13 Determined to follow old scent (5) ODOUR DOUR<=>O
14 Spots uneven roads, ultimately rough (4) RASH {RoAdS}{rougH}
16 Sausages from small joints, reportedly (7) WIENIES (~WEE KNEES)
19 Refuse to accept "Anyway, it's fate!" (7) DESTINY {DENY} around {IT'S*}
21 Picked up dress accessory from Asia (4) THAI {~TIE}
24 Storage device basically containing digital recordings of music (2-3) CD-ROM [Acrostic]
25 Contracting a boy on a horse to tour Germany (9) ABRIDGING {A}{B}{RID{G}ING}
27 Heavyweight group without work building muscle (6) TONING {TON}{wING}
28 Spooner says "Save American sculptor — she is critical!" (8) LINCHPIN Spoonerism of PINCH LIN
29 Slanders brands winning millions (5) SMEARS {S{M}EARS}
30 Like a fox eating English fruit in a calm manner (6) SEDATELY {S{E}{DATE}LY}

DOWN
1 Carbon that oddly is included in a component of petrol (6) OCTANE {C}{ThAt} in ONE
2 Daughter crushed by grief breaking down, becoming cooler (6) FRIDGE {D} in {GRIEF*}
3 Go with sweetheart on vacation for a rendezvous (5) TRYST {TRY}{SweethearT}
4 Giant dog in corner rising up (7) GOLIATH  {TAIL<} in {HOG<}
6 Moving drama — one involving Dutch stars (9) ANDROMEDA {DRAMA ONE}* around D

7 Electronic device having new sign about boosting memory (8) MNEMONIC {MIC}around {N+OMEN}<
8 Sorrow as lover spends money for diamonds (8) DISTRESS (-m+D)DISTRESS
11 Catcall from back of courtroom upset trial! (4) MEOW {courtrooM}{WOE<}
15 Part of Turkey — an old country surrounded by soldiers (4,5) ASIA MINOR {A}{SIAM}{IN}{OR} surrounded by=in
17 Teaches upwardly mobile date about old gold coin (8) EDUCATES {SEE<} around {DUCAT}
18 Members in contest ran, getting split up (8) ESTRANGE [T]
20 You hadn't regularly lost money in Shanghai (4) YUAN {YoU hAdNt}

21 Wrong to stuff fork in meat dish (7) TERRINE {ERR} in {TINE}

22 Easy test with "India" as answer (6) SIMPLE {S(-a+I)IMPLE}
23 A hundred years to gather knowledge for department (6) AGENCY {A}{GEN}{C}{Y}
26 In Stalingrad, a charming cottage (5) DACHA [T]

REFERENCE LIST

Judge=J, America=A, Old=O, Boy=B, Germany=G, Work=W, Millions=M, English=E, Carbon=C, Daughter=D, Dutch=D, New=N, Money=M, Diamonds=D, Soldiers=OR, India=I, Answer=A, Hundred=C, Years=Y.

No 14846, Wednesday 15 Jul 2026, KrisKross

Solution to 17D 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   Suggest plan - "50% to quit for change of government" (6) PUTSCH {PUT}{SCHeme} 

4   Bar or joint mostly housing animals from the east (8) OBSTACLE {EL{CATS}BOw}<=}

10 Boss to lead with articles (3,6) TOP BANANA {TOP B}{AN}{AN}{A} ( Correction - {TO}{PB}{AN}{AN}=A} - See comments)

11 Goodbye to Russia's first language (5) TATAR {TATA}{Ru...a}

12 Thrill from fifteenth US expedition (7) ENTHUSE [T]

13 Rebuffed most of adamant boy's prayers (7) ORISONS {IROn<=}{SONS}

14 Voila! Cricket has turned around (5) CIRCA [T<=]

15 Spreadsheet not set up, somehow given a new form (8) RESHAPED {sPREADSHEet}*

18 Spooner's carried food for grandfather, say (8) FOREBEAR (~bore fare to forebear}

20 Force European to take over (5) BARGE {E}{GRAB}<=

23 Cuts sticks (7) CLEAVES [DD]

25 Caught in difficulty, ring for investigator (7) CORONER {COR{O}NER}

26 Guides leaderless groups (5) RINGS bRINGS

27 River trip enthrals old relative (3,6) RIO GRANDE {RI{O}{GRAN}DE}

28 Each must vault in ancient sacrifice (8) HECATOMB {EACH}*{TOMB}

29 Prohibits Spain's recurring problems (6) ESTOPS {ES}{SPOT<=}

DOWN

1   Cool head when tackling nice problem (8) PATIENCE {PAT{NICE*}E} Semi&lit

2   Bartender feeding drop of port to expert sampler (7) TAPSTER {TA{Port}STER}

3   Ordered catalogue set (9) COAGULATE*

5   Merry Corsican tourist on vacation kidnapped by barbarian - a slippery killer (3,11) BOA CONSTRICTOR {CORSICAN+To...sT}* in {BOOR}}

6   South African boat docked - test it regularly (5) TUTSI {TUb}{TeSt+It}

7   Conductor lost hat in program (7) CATHODE {C{HAT*}ODE}

8   Path of exit for one on ship (6) EGRESS {EG}{RE}{SS}

9   Obey corrupt food marketers pinching recipe (4,6,4) TAKE ORDERS FROM {FOOD+MARKETERS}* over {R}

16 Emir brags about component of perfume (9) AMBERGRIS*

17 Brave fellow like Van Gogh? (8) ?E?R?E?S (Addendum - FEARLESS {F}{EARLESS} - See comments) 

19 Marine in nice coat nicked rum (7)  OCEANIC {NICE+COAt}*

21 Meet heads of rebellious trade union at work (3,4) RUN INTO {Re...s+Tr..e+UNION}*

22 Burn my school bags (6) SCORCH {S{COR}CH}

24 Stop very sceptical question (5) VISIT {V}{IS IT}

Reference List

European = E, Old = O, Spain = ES, For one = EG, On = RE, Ship = SS, Recipe = R, Fellow = F, My = COR, School = SCH, Very = V

No 14817, Thursday 11 Jun 2026, KrisKross

Solution to 12A 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   Chemist's quick to wrap wound (8) PHARMACY {P{HARM}ACY}

5   Reportedly delivers heavy woollen fabric (6) FRIEZE (~frees)

9 &13 They are used to revive sailors with BO? (8,5) SMELLING SALTS {SALTS}<=>{SMELLING}

10 It can hold breakfast food for one - greasy pot originally lined with copper (6) EGGCUP {EG}{Gr...y}{CU}{Pot}

12 Opponents try drills. Many give up (4,5) L?S? H?A?T (Addendum - LOSE HEART - {LO{S,E{HEAR}T}See comments)

13 See 9A

14 Top trends in poems (4) ODES {mODES}

16 Temple town's function for a zealot (7) PURITAN {PURI}{TAN}

19 Obscure quotations seen in memes regularly (7) ECLIPSE {mE{CLIPS}mEs}

21 Panel changing sides in a month (4) JURY JU(-l+r)RY

24 Country's popular face left out (5) INDIA {IN}{DIAl}

25 Pin ads around a flyer (9) SAND PIPER {PIN+ADS}*{PER}

27 AI software not opening novel - it's an irritating problem (6) IRITIS {sIRI}{ITS*}

28 Primarily many people excited in arena, resulting in this? (8) STAMPEDE {STA{Many}{Pe...e}{Ex...d}DE} Semi&lit

29 One suffering hurt before try-out (6) MARTYR {MAR}{TRY*}

30 Woman is pinched by spoilt kid, most rude (8) BRASHEST   {BRA{SHE'S}T}

DOWN

1   Step dancing with extremely lovable crush (6) PESTLE {STEP*}{Lo...lE}

2   Doctored images revealing bias (6) AGEISM* 

3   Enrich soil greatly, taking in fertilisers essentially (5) MULCH {MU{f...iLi...s}CH}

4   Dismiss very stupid person in campaign (7) CANVASS {CAN}{V}{ASS}

6   Administrator is back, charged with direction to rule (9) REGISTRAR {R{E{GIST}RA<=}{R}Anno not clear (Addendum - {RE{GIST}{R}AR} - See comments)

7   Intensify police case, missing deadline (8) ESCALATE {CASE*}{LATE}

8   Showing ten pigeons flying all around (8) EXPOSING {E{X}POSING*}

11 Break small plaything (4) STOP {S}{TOP}

15 Evil God filled with power, chiefly crazy (9) DEPRAVITY {DE{PR}{crAzy}}ITY} (Correction - {DE{P}{RAVe}ITY} - See comments)

17 Idle vagrant, a bit intoxicated, overwhelmed by strange fever (8) DELIRIUM {IDLE*}{R{In...d}UM}

18 Glue dries for the most part, turning more muddy Glue mostly dries turning more muddy (8) SLUDGIER {GLUe+DRIES}*

20 Some require a strategic direction (4) EAST [T]

21 After a month, bread counter becomes cleaner (7) JANITOR {JAN}{ROTI<=}

22 Ball's area (6) SPHERE [DD]

23 Tune with hint of romance… girl starts crying (6) URGENT {TUNE+Ro...e+G}*

26 American uncle excited about cats (5) PUMAS {SAM}{UP}<=

Reference List

Opponents = S,E(South and East in Bridge card game), Function = TAN, Popular = IN, Very = V, Rule = R, Small = S, American uncle = SAM

No 14787, Thursday 07 May 2026, KrisKross

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   A little mate who's sick (8) SOMEWHAT*

5   A designated driver is against drink? Makes sense! (4,2) ADDS UP {A}{DD}{SUP}

9   Hot babe swimming across river in casual dress (8) BATHROBE {HOT+ROBE}* over {R}

10 Calendar info encapsulated in classic programming language (6) AGENDA {A{GEN}DA}

12 Clear online estimate - around 10.1 (9) EXONERATE {E}{RATE} over {X}{ONE}

13 Elected American representative ultimately busy (2,3) IN USE {IN}{US}{r...vE}

14 Small wound in rabbit's tail (4) SCUT {S}{CUT}

16 Relative of Greek orphan girl (7) GRANNIE {GR}{ANNIE}

19 &26D Easily understood Byzantine old calendar describing origin of Universe (4,3,5) LOUD AND CLEAR {OLD+CALENDER}* over {Un...e}

21 Song with an Indian beat (4) LAYA {LAY}{A}

24 Losing money, essentially quits drinking? Good call! (5) EVOKE {EV{OK}En}

25 Nosey character starting to peep into couple of clubs in US state (9) PINOCCHIO {Peep}{IN}{O{CC}HIO}

27 Cast out from food store counter (6) EXILED {EX}{DELI<=}

28 Engineer must shortly learn digital symbols (8) NUMERALS {MUSt+LEARN}*

29 Looking wise, I show off Latin lines (6) OWLISH {I+SHOW}* over {L}

30 Possibly in Chalukyas' era, districts in rebellion (1,4,3) I DARE SAY [T<=]

DOWN

1   After retirement, coach prepared a smaller group (6) SUBSET {BUS<=}{SET}

2   Senior woman champion quietly going after money (6) MATRON {pATRON}<=>{M}

3   Poorer son with frayed clothing (5) WORSE {WOR{S}E}

4   One runs to explode medieval weapon (7) ARBLAST {A}{R}{BLAST}

6   Notable sailor about to be involved in home project (9) D?G?I?A?Y (Addendum - DIGNITARY {DI{RATING<=}Y} - See comments)

7   Hampered without gold coin, not acting confident (8) SANGUINE {SANs}{GUINEa}

8   Head of Pathology authorised to collect fresh component of blood (8) PLATELET {Pa...y}{LET} over {LATE}

11 Some YouTuber - Gen-Z composer of music (4) BERG [T]

15 Perpetual tax overwhelms one supporting artist (9) CEASELESS {C{EASEL}ESS}

17 Best friend tense before sharing difficult goal (5,3) ALTER EGO  {T}{ERE} in {GOAL}*

18 Running out in the middle of practice lesson (8) TUTORIAL {T{OUT*}RIAL}

20 Use drug and perform exercise (4) DOPE {DO}{PE}

21 Network director, most lazy (7) LANGUID {LAN}{GUIDe}

22 Transport these medicine bottles to hospital (6) PHIALS {PHIALS+TO}*=HOSPITAL [CA]

23 Nicely warmed egg, filling, good to eat (6) TOASTY {T{O}ASTY}

26 See 19A 

Reference List

Designated driver = DD, River = R, Info = GEN, Online = E, Small = S, Greek = GR, Song = LAY, Clubs = C, Latin = L, Quietly = P, Money = M, Son = S, Runs = R, Home project = DIY, Tense = T, Exercise = PE

No 14757, Thursday 02 Apr 2026, KrisKross

Solution to 22D 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   Collapse following blast - loud, primarily powerful (4,2) FOLD UP {F}{LOUD*}{Po...l}

4   Artist of Cuba, in drunken stupor, left (8) SCULPTOR {C} in {STUPOR+L}*

10 Appeal to queen about monument (9) CHARMINAR {CHARM}{RANI<=}

11 Cook good fish after removing head (5) GRILL {G}{bRILL}

12 Condition of sailor carried by vehicle to hospital (7) CATARRH {CA{TAR}R}{H}

13 Gets Mark to cycle after a time (7) ATTAINS {(-s)TAIN(+s)S}<=>{A}{T}

14 Rejected part of result as "Erroneous", attempted exam again (5) RESAT [T<=]

15 One who loves dogs and birds (8) FANTAILS {FAN}{TAILS}

18 An accountant, after retirement, trained community of scholars (8) ACADEMIA {A}{CA}{AIMED<=}

20 English students leaving parasol in shade (5) UMBRA UMBRellA

23 Timid fellow gets scolding (7) FEARFUL {F}{EARFUL}

25 Close sale? (4,3) SEAL OFF {SALE}* [RA]

26 Catch drum (5) SNARE [DD]

27 Hitler, say, cordial about Germany (9) WARMONGER {WARM}{ON}{GER}

28 It provides insight from analysis of heredity (5,3) THIRD EYE*

29 Story about invading Spain - it could reveal something valuable (6) OYSTER {OYST{E}R*}

DOWN

1   Maybe King's rage to quash conservative nation in revolt (4,4) FACE CARD {FA{C}{RACE<=}D}

2   Shelters in grasslands not affected (4-3) LEAN-TOS {LEA{NOT*}S}

3   Mutineer punished by duke? Not fair (9) UNMERITED {MUTINEER}*{D}

5   I insure art, cars, refurbished trailers (7,7) CURTAIN RAISERS*

6   Easy part of this grid (5) LIGHT [DD]

7   Inconsequential test - eventually one is overwhelmed by opponent (7) TRIVIAL {tesT}{RIV{1}AL}

8   Apparel is hand-crafted, revealing taste (6) RELISH [T]

9   Expecting easy finals in Open Bridge Tournament, why I may fail (2,3,6,3) IN THE FAMILY WAY {opeN+b...gE+t...nT+WHY+I+MAY+FAIL}*

16 Flattering most mature, active, conservative politician (9) ADULATORY {ADULt}{A}{TORY}

17 Picked up much more pretty traveller (8) WAYFARER (~way fairer)

19 Bread ready to be dipped in tea (7) CHAPATI {CHA{PAT}I}

21 Took rupees, purchased clothes (7) BROUGHT {B{R}OUGHT}

22 Compensate for rotten place (6) ?F?S?T (Addendum - OFFSET {OFF}{SET} - See comments)

24 He formulated a complex argument about core of modernism (5) FREUD {F{m..eRn..m}EUD}

Reference List

Following = F, Cuba = C, Left = L, Good = G, Hospital = H, Time = T, Accountant = CA, English = E, Student = L, Fellow = F, Spain = E, Rage = FAD, Conservative = C, Duke = D, Active = A, Rupees = R

Sunday 08 Mar 2026, IIT (M) WGC, IIT (M) Crossie Open, KrisKross

Announcing the Crossie Open 2026 - Cryptic Crossword competition conducted by the Word Games Club of IIT Madras. It is on March 8th, 2026 at the IIT Madras campus, and I will be hosting it this year.

Registrations are now open - please use this link (google form) to register.

https://forms.gle/eZivoahrNcwt3pTdA

No 14730, Monday 02 Mar 2026, KrisKross

Solution to 4D 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   European rule about controlling disorder (8) ROMANIAN {R}{O{MANIA}N}

5   Make bile go away (6) OBLIGE* 

9   Think of subordinate - one tense and worried (8) COGITATE {COG}{1}{T}{ATE}

10 Most safe to consume English drink (6) COFFEE {COFFEr} over {E}

12 Fully renovated hotel hit by onset of tempest (2,3,4) TO THE HILT {HOTEL+HIT}*{Te...t}

13 Feel sorry for killing river bird (5) EGRET rEGRET

14 Infection from dust? Yes (4) STYE [T]

16 Drive around short mountain to reach green light (2-5) GO-AHEAD {GOA{HEAp}D}

19 Ponder about complex part of maths equation (7) OPERAND {PONDER+A}*

21 Box daughter lost in hut (4) LOGE LOdGE

24 Joseph's eldest son, universe's saviour primarily! (5) JESUS Acrostic &lit

25 General requests drop of alcohol to be avoided in ship, tossing and turning (9) SLEEPLESS {S{LEE}{PLEaS}S}

27 Screen in the auditorium is an electronic device (6) SENSOR (~censor)

28 Duke dies sadly, having personal problem (8) DOWNSIDE {D}{DIES*} over {OWN}

29 Lives with bigoted people, shunning society (6) EXISTS sEXISTS

30 So hot... under fan for cover (8) ENSHROUD {SO+H+UNDER}*

DOWN

1   Say aloud: "Replace power with time in formula" (6) RECITE RECI(-p+t)TE

2   Powerful man scores four - cutting square finally (6) MIGHTY {M}{eIGHTY}

3   Salt damaged retina, mostly (5) NITRE RETINa*

4   On both sides of compound, raise deciduous trees initially (7) A?T?I?E (Addendum - ASTRIDE {RAISE+De...s+Tr..s}* - See comments)

6   Report describing old, more explosive missile (9) BOOMERANG {B{O}{MORE*}ANG}

7   Popular one-time singer? (8) INFORMER {IN}{FORMER}

8   Following program, party leader leaving at 6 p.m. say (8) EVENTIDE {EVENT}{sIDE} 

11 Men only raise guns (4) STAG<=

15 Coach losing one football, say, in ship (9) TRANSPORT {TRAiN}{SPORT}

17 Son's boring project - going through tome, struggling to get the perfect word (3,5) MOT JUSTE {JU{S}T} in {TOME*}

18 After endless suffering, collapse near India's capital (8) HELSINKI {HELl}{SINK}{I}

20 Run a little (4) DASH [DD]

21 Rest of German song now remixed (3-4) LIE-DOWN {LIED}{NOW*}

22 Come running to welcome team in country (6) MEXICO {ME{XI}CO*}

23 Section of most endearing city (6) OSTEND [T]

26 Energy drink made from fruit (5) PUNCH [DD]

Reference List

Rule = R, About = ON, Tense = T, English = E, River = R, About A, Daughter = D, Ship = SS, Duke = D, Society = S, Hot = H, Power = P, Time = T, Man = M, Four scores = EIGHTY, Old = O, Popular = IN, Son = S, India = I

No 14701, Tuesday 27 Jan 2026, KrisKross

Solution to 22D 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   Auditor's date with artificial silk - new material (8) SEALSKIN {(~see)SEA}{SILK*}{N}

5   Sharp detectives on island about to withdraw (6) ACIDIC {CID}{I} in {CA<=}

9   Sweeping done holding centre of broom (8) THOROUGH {THOR{brOom}UGH}

10 Whimper from KrisKross going through small story, missing love (6) SNIVEL {S}{No{I}VEL}

12 Trained poodle regularly acting as helper of the force (6,3) POLICE DOG {POODLE+aCtInG}*}

13 Mathematician from Spain designed rule (5) EULER {E}{RULE*}

14 See 7 Down

16 Live with a friend touring Northern Italy (7) ANIMATE {A}{N}{I}{MATE}

19 Stylish spy killing a swimmer (7) GENTEEL {aGENT}{EEL}

21 Stupid debate - "Trading money for diamonds" (4) DULL (-m+d)DULL

24 See 4 Down

25 Spooner says "Beat up sailors - they have lot of moolah!" (4,5) CASH BOXES {~bash coxes to cash boxes)

27 Idol standing with foot loose on edge of table (6) STATUE {STATUtE} (Correction - {STATUs}{t..lE} - See comments)

28 Bone initially broken in prison game (8) CRIBBAGE {C{RIB}{Br...n}AGE}

29 Cuts posts reportedly (6) STEAKS (~stakes)

30 Judges free mysterious sage from the East (8) REFEREES {FREE}*{SEER<=}

DOWN

1   Sibling has place in retreat for exercises (3-3) SIT-UPS {SI{PUT<=}S}

2   Handsome man left during a game (6) APOLLO {A}{PO{L}LO}

3   One overwhelmed by high cost becomes philosophical (5) STOIC {STO{1}C*}

4   & 24 American saw rudest drunk consuming whiskey in bar (2,3,2,5) IN GOD WE TRUST {RUDEST}* over {W} in {INGOT}

6   Relaxing at home, about to cut cake (9) CONGENIAL {CONGE{IN<=}AL}

7 &14 Reckless wicked maiden breaking into nursery (5-3-4) DEVIL-MAY-CARE  {EVIL}{M} in {DAYCARE}

8   Dieter's concern about sign - "Contains traces of linseed oil" (8) CALORIES {C}{A{Li...d}{Oil}RIES}

11 Part of India - grand city (4) AGRA [T]

15 You and I stopping for business, filled with respect (9) AWESTRUCK {A{WE}S}{TRUCK}

17 Braggarts bought sites, built houses (8) EGOTISTS {E{GOT}ISTS*}

18 Most inappropriate to touch dead snake (8) UNDULATE {UNDUe}{LATE}

20 Hair mesh (4) LOCK [DD]

21 Daughter dismissing first book's merit (7) DESERVE {D}{rESERVE}

22 Breathe once with sound (6) ?X?A?E (Addendum - EXHALE {EX}{HALE} - See comments)

23 Idiots struggled from the beginning in test (6) ASSESS {ASSES}{St...d}

26 Anger over British sacred text (5) BIBLE {BI{B}LE}

Reference List

New = N, Island = I, About = CA, Small = S, Spain = E, Northern = N, Italy = I, Money = M, Diamonds = D, Left = L, Whiskey = W, Maiden = M, About = C, Daughter = D, British = B

No 14674, Thursday 25 Dec 2025, KrisKross

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Artwork by Prasanna

Rangoli by Gowri

Solution to 13A 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   Allow champion to drink cold port (6) ACCEPT {AC{C}E}{PT}

4   Prayer that is chanted in drama's beginning and ending recurrently (5,3) AGNUS DEI {IE}{Dra{SUNG}mA}<=

10 Road is bad - lover happily carries you at last (9) BOULEVARD {BAD+LOVER}* over {yoU}

11 Point in both directions (5) LEVEL <=>

12 Gentleman rejected fish croquette (7) RISSOLE {SIR<=}{SOLE}

13 Dropping resistance and current certainly changes time between stimulus and response (7) L?T?N?Y (Addendum LATENCY CErTAiNLY* - See comments)

14 Passage setter will shortly read aloud (5) AISLE {~i'll)

15 Close to D-day, heart is shaking in panic (8) HYSTERIA {d.aY+HEART+IS}*

18 Saint and Emperor hiding together (2,6) IN TANDEM [T]

20 Cycle catches one moving slowly (5) SNAIL (+s)SNAIL(-s)

23 Clue's oddly hard - "Elevated rocks" (7) LURCHES {CLUES+HaRd}*

25 Principal left student in tears sadly (7) STELLAR {L}{L} in TEARS}*

26 Indian state leader leaves for time in prison (5) TIHAR (-b+t)TIHAR

27 Orphan child dirtying clothes and hiding face (9) FOUNDLING {FOU{aND}LING}

28 Kids essentially engrossed in "Sholay", relaxing in free time (8) HOLIDAYS {kIDs} in }SHOLAY}*

29 Check using a couple of rooks after removing bishop - excellent! (6) ARREST {A}{RR}{bEST}

DOWN

1   Living in trees, boa snakes choking raccoon's head - true! (8) ARBOREAL {A{Ra...s}BO*}{REAL}

2   After college, feels bad about one's pleasure trips (7) CRUISES {C}{RU{1'S}ES}

3   "Mobile phone with reduced list of options?" - one wonders (9) PHENOMENA {PHONE}*{MENu}{A}

5   Expression of surprise as new gym doubles loss (3,5,2,4) GOD BLESS MY SOUL*

6   Dark section without trace of light (5) UNLIT {UN{Li..t}IT}

7   Italian on vacation, about to go through Michelangelo's unfinished masterpiece - he was a genius (2,5) DA VINCI {It...aN}{C} in {DAVId}

8   Fills batting positions (6) INLAYS {IN}{LAYS}

9   What a bad vacuum cleaner might do? Work energetically! (4,3,4,3) MAKE THE DUST FLY [C&DD]

16 Cockney most comfortable with nurse (4-5) EAST-ENDER {EASe}{TENDER}

17 Get down holding hands, okay? (3,5) ALL RIGHT {AL{L}{R}IGHT}

19 Coppers sped back capturing loch's last aquatic mammal (7) NARWHAL {LAW}{RAN}<= over {locH}

21 Unsurpassed, amazing Tamil language initially ahead of English (3-4) ALL-TIME {TAMIL+La...e}*{E}

22 Seize eggs (6) CLUTCH [DD]

24 Some adore hymns about Biblical king (5) HEROD [T<=]

Reference List

Cold = C, Port = PT, Resistance = R, Current = I, Left = L, Student = L, Time = T, Rook = R, Bishop = B, College = C, About = C, Batting = IN, Hands = L,R, English = E

No 14645, Friday 21 Nov 2025, KrisKross

RULES FOR POSTING COMMENTS FOR FRIDAY ONLY

All those who are not regular commenters but who are rookie commenters or silent followers of the blog are requested to post answers with annotations in the comments section. In your own interest please avoid looking up the answers from the interactive version. Don't hesitate to post your annotations, in case you make a mistake in the annotation someone will correct it with the right annotation.

PLEASE NOTE, SOLUTIONS WITHOUT ATTEMPTING THE ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED

Each commenter is requested to post only 5 answers thereby giving others also a chance to participate. Please provide all your answers in one comment.

Regular solvers/Veterans can post 1 answer each, but after 11 AM only.

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

ACROSS

1   Sailor's date more pretty, they say (8) SEAFARER (~see fairer)

5   Music say, endlessly pained old king (6) ARTHUR {ART}{HURt}

9   Got bowled, but continued to bat? (6,2) PLAYED ON [DD]

10 Two firms working to provide cover (6) COCOON {CO}{CO}{ON}

12 Large furniture store's popular very quickly (4,1,4) LIKE A SHOT {L}{IKEA'S}{HOT}

13 Game is still tense (5) EVENT {EVEN}{T}

14 Punish ultras controlling synagogue (4) SHUL [T]

16 Ripped new hood in dance (7) HOEDOWN*

19 Exceed number of deliveries to score a single (7) OVERRUN {OVER}{RUN}

21 A techie on vacation making advance payment (4) ANTE {AN}{Te..iE}

24 Identical electronic coil (5) TWINE {TWIN}{E}

25 It helps musician play Modern Tempo, without percussion devices, primarily (9) METRONOME {MOdERN+TEMpO}*

27 Leading spinner from India who got England all out? (6) GANDHI [CD]

28 At once, POW heartlessly shot in city (4,4) CAPE TOWN {AT+ONCE+PoW}*

29 Free former politician involved in case of embezzlement (6) EXEMPT {EX}{Em...{MP}...nT}

30 Remove a judge after a short month (8) SEPARATE {A}{RATE}<=>{SEP}

DOWN

1   Deliver in an agile fashion (6) SUPPLY [DD]

2   Answer student's question about US state (6) ALASKA {A}{L}{ASK}{A}

3   An end of screwdriver - one turning a nut (5) ARECA {A}{s...eR}{ACE<=}

4   Manage to withdraw almost 50% - that's significant (7) EPOCHAL {COPE<=}{HALf}

6   US leader briefly revolted, so angry (9) ROOSEVELT {REVOLTEd+SO}*

7   Method to catch flying goose in pen (8) HOOSEGOW {HO{GOOSE*}W}

8   Sound from mobile - resonating, harsh, frequently ignored! (8) RINGTONE {REsONaTING}*

11 Must bathe regularly in US state (4) UTAH {mUsT+bAtHe}

15 Unwrapped needle to stitch stylish strap (9) HORSEWHIP {tHORn}{SEW}{HIP}

17 Italian family in Universal enthralled by film-making technique (8) MONTAGUE {MONTAG{U}E}

18 Opposition bound to take over Spain if doubled (8) DEFIANCE {D{E}{IF<=}ANCE}

20 Identity of national sport (not golf) (4) NAME {N}{gAME}

21 Expert nurses tense about exercise (7) ACTUATE {AC{TAUT<=}E}

22 Ring made from round acorn nuts (6) CORONA {O+ACORN}*

23 A setter wearing worker's cap (6) BEANIE {BE{AN}{I}E}

26 Revolutionary software possibly contributing to musical production (5) OPERA [T<=]

Reference List

Firm = CO, Large = L, Tense = T, Electronic = E, Student = L, Stylish = HIP, Universal = U, Spain = E, National = N, Golf = G