No 14043, Tuesday 12 Dec 2023,KrisKross

Solution to 1A 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.

ACROSS

1   One always fresh and smart (6) S?R?C? (Addendum - SPRUCE [DD] - See comments)

4   Key slang for "seafood" (8) ESCARGOT {ESC}{ARGOT}

10 Doc finally overwhelmed by anger after opening cavity (9) VENTRICLE {RI{doC}LE}<=>{VENT}

11 So hot again…removing shorts, stripped completely (5) HENCE {H}ENCE Anno pending (Addendum - {HE}{ENCorE} - See comments)

12 Last-minute changes to make ATM device (7) UTENSIL {+ATM = LAST MINUTE} [CA]

13 Graceful angel is so merciful at heart (7) LISSOME [T]

14 More time to pack ten tonnes (5) EXTRA {E{X}{T}RA}

15 Routine starting to debug anomalous Y-O-Y data (3-2-3) DAY-TO-DAY {De..g}{Y-O-Y+DATA}

18 Short article about unfinished, cryptic, enigmatic painting (8) TRIPTYCH {T{CRYPTIc*}He}

20 Host KrisKross returns to make an observation to the audience (5) EMCEE {ME<=}{~ see CEE}

23 Successful company - one contracting wheat possibly (7) UNICORN {UNIt}{CORN} 

25 Unwanted, nonstop jabbers? (7) NEEDLES NEEDLESs

26 Lived in degenerate retro bar (5) DWELT {LEWD<=}{T}

27 Laurel, say, always leading comic genre (9) EVERGREEN {EVER}{GENRE*}

28 Law has reviewed evidence in handbag (8) RETICULE {R{CITE<=}ULE}

29 Commands boy to leave frontiers (6) ORDERS bORDERS

DOWN

1   Enjoyed preserved painting belonging to you and me (8) SAVOURED {SAV{OUR}ED}

2   Most foul smell, primarily in dirty tanker (7) RANKEST {RANKE{Sm..l}T*}

3   Cheat using comedian's instrument (4,5) CARD SHARP {CARDS}{HARP}

5   Untrue, stale story by subordinate to win praise that should be mine (5,2,7) STEAL MY THUNDER {STALE*}{MYTH}{UNDER}

6   Losing final seconds in a game is painful (5) ACHES {A}{CHESs}

7   A long, lively party inside boat (7) GONDOLA {A+LONG}* over {DO}

8   Not those Sunday papers (6) THESES {THESE}{S}

9   Polluted Delhi can really do without pure air? Eventually, it's unlikely to happen (1,4,3,2,4) A COLD DAY IN HELL {DELHI+CAN+reALLY+DO}*

16 Go around cycling? Agree excitedly, being very enthusiastic (9) OVEREAGER {(-r)OVE(+r)R}{AGREE*}

17 Space organization involved in action, uplifting farmers (8) PEASANTS {ST{NASA}EP}<=

19 Plan to wear torn dress (7) RAIMENT {R{AIM}ENT}

21 Old king having support for educational institution (7) COLLEGE {COL{LEG}E}

22 Star very angry about part (6) SUNDER {SUN}{RED<=}

24 Choose one ultimately classic visual (5) OPTIC {OPT}{1}{c...iC}

Reference List

Key = ESC, Tonnes = T, Bar = T, Boy = B, Sunday = S

No 14042, Monday 11 Dec 2023, Cresent

Solution to 1D 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.

ACROSS

7   Queer introverted chaps mostly act shy (6) DEMURE {DE{RUM<=}Ed}

8   Rush at speed crushing mass? (8) STAMPEDE {AT+SPEED}* over {M} &lit

9   Flag with a legend (4) SAGA {SAG}{A}

10 Jack-of-all-trades in public service largely a good deal (7,3) UTILITY MAN {UTILITY}{MANy}

11 Black, tarry fuel at sea breaks sign of clean coast (4,4) BLUE FLAG {B}{L{FUEL*}AG}

12 Desires dead drops in dumps (6) ITCHES dITCHES

14 Non-striker for instance, turning to obstruct caught and bowled (4) SCAB {A{C}S<=}{B}

15 Charge to wrap tips in non-toxic foil (6) FENCE {FE{No...iC}E}

16 Conservative should wear a streak of light blue? (4) RACY {RA{C}Y}

18 Shade of glass to reduce glare (6) GLOWER {Gl..s}{LOWER}

20 Chain in earlier sailing ship (8) SCHOONER {S{CH}OONER}

22 Horse around cottage hard at work (3,3,4) ACT THE GOAT {COTTAGE+H+AT}*

24 Guy's choice of skirt in Cumbernauld (4) CORD {OR} in {Cu...lD} (Correction - C or D - See comments)

25 Flight controller putting blame on transport (8) JOYSTICK {STICK}<=>{JOY}

26 Approach a planet leaving behind Earth (6) AVENUE {A}{VENUs}{E}

DOWN

1   Bore I see is bored by everything - irony perhaps? (8) ?E?A?L?C (Addendum - METALLIC {MET}{I C}<=>{ALL} - See comments))

2   Ragged towel about maniac (3,2,5) OUT AT ELBOW*

3   Consequence of equals making a base abroad (6) SEQUEL {EQU(-a+e)ELS}*

4   To get the best out of web I circulate upcoming stuff (8) MAXIMIZE {MAZE} over {I}{MIX}<=

5   Society snoop becomes active (4) SPRY {S}{PRY}

6   Violet and aster reflecting part interlocked thus? (6) ADNATE [T<=]

8   Run away dancing like lead in Hindi song and so on (5,4,4) SLING ONES HOOK {LIKE+Hindi+SONG+SO+ON}*

13 Skilful method to enter words for ornamental scrolls (10) CARTOUCHES {C{ART}OUCHES}

15 Fellow men understand? No chance! (6,2) FORGET IT {F}{OR}{GET IT}

17 Cruel act made explicit (5-3) CLEAR-CUT*

19 Voter wanting electronic reader (6) LECTOR eLECTOR

21 Money given after successful shot to an assassin (6) HITMAN {M}<=>{HIT} and {AN}

23 Hot sponge put over pants (4) TOSH {H}{SOT}<=

Reference List

Mass =- M, Black = B, Dead = D, Caught = C, Bowled = B, Conservative = C, Chain = CH, Hard = H, Earth = E, Base = E, Society = S, Fellow = F, Men = OR, Electronic = E, Money = M, Hot = H

No 12796, Tuesday 03 Dec 2019, Arden

ACROSS
1   Prime Minister stops us work overtime — New Delhi shows how it’s done (5,8) MODUS OPERANDI {MOD{US}{OP}{ERA}{ND}I}
10 Carried over, investment made totally (5) TOTED [T<=]
11 Billy’s plant, note plastic cover (9) TRUNCHEON {NOTE}* over {RUNCH}

12 Magazine, carry to the top (9) CARTRIDGE {CART}{RIDGE}
13 Dramatic capture of a violin maker (5) AMATI [T]
14 That is having solid shape — worship (7) IDOLISE {I{SOLID*}E}
16 According to media, no Italian in Spanish street (7) ALAMEDA {ALA}{MEDiA}
18 Swing back in the breeze, partly (7) TRAPEZE [T<=]
20 Old story — finding Iodine in milk (7)  EXPLOIT {EX}{PLO{I}T}
22 Back support, taking minutes for an insect (5) EMMET{TE{MM}E}
24 Prince chose half the broadside (9) PHILLIPPIC {PHILLIP}{PICked}
26 Artilleryman’s head over heels drinking French wine — not nice to see (9) UNNERVING {-g)UNNER(+g)G} over {VIN}
27 She even vacates in anger (5) IRENE {IR{EveN}E}
28 Tailor cuts up curtain, he will use needles (13) ACUPUNCTURIST*

DOWN
2   Only ration distributed in the province (7) ONTARIO {O}{RATION*}
3   Erode stole central funds earlier (9) UNDERMINE {ERMINE}<=>{fUNDs}
4   Chose to shift depot (5) OPTED*

5   The last number had a billion short — count (9) ENUMERATE {thE}{NUMbER}{ATE}
6   Capital account, one’s under credit (5) ACCRA {AC}{CR}{A}
7   Outstanding on court, time to settle (3,4) DUE DATE {DUE}{DATE}
8   Old fashioned Kentish dictum, perhaps (5,2,3,3) STICK IN THE MUD*
9   Paternalistic, free, they carry an opposite charge (13) ANTIPARTICLES*
15 Discharge under a river — master point, in a way (9) EXEMPTION {EXE}{M}{POINT*}
17 Signal booster will adequately shoot, they say (9) AMPLIFIER (~ amply fire)
19 Annual investment by a normal man, actually (7) ALMANAC [T]
21 Burden of work on media (7) OPPRESS {OP}{PRESS}
23 Insect gains height in fall (5) THRIP {T{H}RIP}

25 Bar allowing others inside (5) INGOT [T]

Reference List
Work = OP, Old = EX, Minute = M, Only = O, One = A, Master = M, Height = H

No 9918, Wednesday 11 Aug 10, M Manna

Neyartha comes in tomorrow
ACROSS
1   - Silver ball on the beach (7) - {AG}{ROUND}
5   - Scorch note given to run ship on hire (7) - {CHAR}{TE}{R}
9   - Daughter of the French gone out with resentment (7) - {D}{UD*}{GEON*}
10 - A very old knave given nothing but fruit (7) - {A}{VO}{CAD}{O}

11 - Stand a drink to negotiate (5) - TREAT [DD]
12 - Not a middleman! (9) - EXTREMIST [CD]

SEE THIS CARTOON

13 - River rose alarmingly and created a lake (9) - RESERVOIR*
15 - Device to summon an attendant (5) - PAGER [CD]
16 - The emblem of justice as backed by last word of holy man (5) - SWORD Anno pending
18 - Inquisitiveness in the old Dickensian shop (9) - CURIOSITY [CD]

21 - Unimaginative at night? (9) - DREAMLESS [CD]
24 - Nell makes a point to turn to her (5) - {E}{LLEN} <-
25 - A profit on street or counter? (7) - {A}{GAIN}{ST}
26 - Come across initially to find a composer (7) - ROSSINI [T]
27 - Fever resulting from bad French air (7) - {MAL}{ARIA}
28 - It helps to keep out sound (7) - EARPLUG [E]
DOWN
1   - One authorized to verify and evaluate accounts (7) - AUDITOR [E]
2   - Provide cover again for reparation (7) - {RE}{DRESS}
3   - A French aim is to include a tree variety not listed (9) - {UN}{EN{TERE*}D}
4   - Conform to someone's wishes! (5) - DANCE [CD]
5   - When caught without a hat, hesitates twice — he normally talks non-stop (9) - {C{HAT}T}{ER}{ER}
6   - Dora has the English to revere intensely (5) - {ADOR*}{E}
7   - Have refreshment when you sing in making fun (7) - {TEA*}{SING}
8   - Bird table with a hole in it (7) - {RO{O}STER} Nice clue

14 - Rector has organized a band (9) - ORCHESTRA*
15 - Affirm it is gold for teacher (9) - {PROFESS}{OR}
16 - Weapon in the belt (7) - SIDEARM [CD] Enumeration should have been (4,3)

17 - Everything being reckoned (7) - OVERALL [CD]
19 - Feeling of the Bard under the weather? (3,4) - {ILL} {WILL}
20 - Giving a jerk to any silly monarch (7) - {YAN*}{KING}
22 - Graduate takes Ron back to the land of a nobleman (5) - {MA}{NOR<-}
23 - Sever arrangement to attend as an assistant (5) - SERVE*

GRID

No 9917, Tuesday 10 Aug 10, M Manna

Posting from the cool climes of Munnar
ACROSS
1   - Hit the ring around the bull's eye (7) - CENTRED Anno pending
5   - Such a breathing space is essential for everybody (7) - NOSTRIL [CD]
9   - A new kind of fictitious tale (5) - NOVEL [DD]
10 - Restaurant where I meet Stan by arrangement (9) - ESTAMINET*
11 - Fish that turns to unsweetened wine (6) - SILAGE ? Couldn't find any wine like this, however there is something known as Fish Silage, see the page at the link
12 - Either positively threaten, or cool your temper (8) - {END}{ANGER}
14 - Choose by vote (5) - ELECT [E]
15 - Run around in high spirits without any relevance (9) - {UNR*}{ELATED}
18 - Don't do nothing on the way, and then run slowly (5,4) - {ST}{AND} {IDLE}
20 - Exam assembly within reach of large number of students (5) - AMASS [T]
22 - Cathedral is without a flower from the orient (8) - {E{ASTER}LY} 
24 - Church requires examination of its singing (6) - {CH}{ORAL}
26 - Land of Hope (9) - RURITANIA [CD]
27 - Passes, as it is al correct (5) - OKAYS [CD]
28 - The rascals turned out to be camp followers (7) - LASCARS*
29 - Relieved for a start time (7) - SHELLED ? Can mean Relieved, but what is 'for a start time' ?
DOWN
1   - First the cranes swing round for containers (9) - {CAN{IST}ERS*}
2   - Ellen takes four others to find him (7) - {NE{VI}LLE*}
3   - Red coated envoy assigned to lesser work (9) - {RE{LEGATE}D}
4   - Legal document which can also be read up (4) -  -> DEED <-
5   - Disallowed by rules in a mess (3,2,5) - NOT IN ORDER [DD]
6   - Two graduates with a dollar, attend Brazilian dance (5) - {S}{AM<-}{BA}
7   - Ring made for girl — it requires Malaysian currency (7) - {RING}{G}{IT}

8   - After possibly — but not yet (5) - LATER [CD]
13 - Signal on railways showing the way of course (10) - {GUIDE}{LINES}

SEE THESE GUIDELINES BEING FOLLOWED

16 - Hot meals, possibly including duck, but quite disgusting (9) - {L{O}ATHSOME*}
17 - Made known the letter is not an open one (9) - {D}{IS}{CLOSED} Nice clue
19 - Swallows up (7) - ABSORBS [CD]
21 - High post in which to discuss defence items? (3,4) - AIR MAIL Defence items ?
22 - The loner goes to sign on (5) - ENROL*
23 - A bit part for an actor more than usual (5) - EXTRA [DD]
25 - Go through a narrow defile (4) - PASS [DD]

Pictures of the S&B Meet of 08 Aug are in the post following this one

GRID