The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 19, Sunday 31 Aug 2025, Gussalufz

BOTH SIDES ARE SAME

ACROSS

1   Slippery slope for some Europeans (5) POLES*

4   Source of dehydration in Indian college slang (9) DESICCANT {DESI}{C}{CANT} 

9   Vehicle turns silent after dropping Gussalufz for a court thing (7) RACQUET {CAR<=}{QUiET}

10 Hide from the boring king (7) LEATHER {LEA{THE}R}

11 No drug for setter in opening ceremony? (14) GROUNDBREAKING {NO DRUG}* [RA]

12 Resort to A.I. for hint (4) IOTA*

13 "Husbanding" includes our sniffing, licking, eating? (9) SAVOURING {SAV{OUR}ING}

17 See Vera going around incorporating French and being one irritating woman (3,6) EVE TEASER {SEE+VERA}* over {ET}

19 Tipping crown to one side, emperor makes love (4) ZERO {NERO with N turned to get Z}

22 "Page Six" airs all debauched arrangements stars are often found in (6,8) SPIRAL GALAXIES*

25 Colourful singers of traditional pieces played regularly (7) ORIOLES {Of+tRadItiOnaL+piEceS}

26 Couple's biannual displays of a special love (7) LESBIAN [T]

27 Reject birds from Spooner's rotating skewers (9) TURNSPITS (spurn tits to turnspits)

28 Arc of smoke over Vatican City (5) CURVE {CUR{V}E}

DOWN

1   Manoeuvre through atmosphere of anger involving top under secretary (9) PARAGLIDE {RAG{LID}E}<=>{PA}

2   Luck too, engineered an escalation in labour dispute (7) LOCKOUT*

3   React to glare from queen when wearing, say, pride shirt (6) SQUINT {S{QU}IN}{T}

4   Rising youngster humbles record holders (9) DATABASES {A TAD}<=}{BASES}

5   Crack that's very large and very close to fuselage (5) SOLVE {SO}{L}{V}{f...gE}

6   Delineating a landmark's edges, touch up sketch (5,3) CHALK OUT {A}{La...rK} in {TOUCH<=}

7   African crash anticipated, to an extent (7) ASHANTI [T]

8   Stretch limits in torture room (4) TERM {To...rE}{RooM}

14 They can change bad parts via laser surgery (9) VARIABLES {B} in {VIA+LASER}*

15 Judgment from authorities implicating outsiders initially seen suspiciously (4,5) GOOD SENSE {GODS} over {Ou...s} with {SEEN}*

16 Sleeping bags of top quality abruptly snagging? Peculiar (8) BEDROLLS {BE{DROLL}St}

18 Unkempt, i.e., run-down houses with fewer inhabitants (7) EMPTIER [T]  

20 Current discharge reported in coach (7) EDIFIER (~eddy fire)

21 Analyse the speed of light; it's useful for measuring long distances (6) PARSEC {PARSE}{C}

23 Girl has one drink (5) LASSI {LASS}{1}

24 Egg with spoilage surrounding base (4) ROOT {RO{O}T}

Reference List

College = C, Indian = DESI, Slang = CANT, And in French = ET, Vatican city = V, Queen = QU, Shirt = T, Large = L, Very = V, Bad = B, Speed of light = C

No 14515, Thursday 19 Jun 2025, 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

BALEFUL NURSE AT WORK

ACROSS

9   Ailments cured by fourth-grade level (9) DISMANTLE {AILMENTS}*<=>{graDe}

10 Brilliant boy, reportedly (5) SUNNY (~sonny)

11 Madhya Pradesh engineer boring boss out (7) STUMPED {STU{MP}{E}D}

12 Dislike a censored translation (7) VERSION aVERSION

13 Alarm starts to interrupt consciousness after short rest in retreat (5) PANIC {In...t}{Co...s}<=>{NAP<=}

14 Kitties back calls for jams (9) STOPPAGES {POTS<=}{PAGES}

16 Casting couch? Lamer film, answer NO? (8,7) CHEMICAL FORMULA {COUCH+LAMER+FILM+A}*

19 Orphan cat chewed up fruit with part of flower attached (9) ANTHOCARP*

22 In public, I duly turned playful (5) LUDIC [T<=]

24 One born before one's time, in forlorn eastern empire (7) PREEMIE {E+EMPIRE}*

26 Seen in disco: "N.B.: Riot with spirit" (3,4) CON BRIO [T]

27 Sneakily get in, see for free (3,2) LET GO {GET}* in {LO}

28 "Percussion instrument? Play guitar, Richard!" says Spooner (9) DRUMSTICK (~strum dick to drumstick)

DOWN

1   Figures unpleasant matter is over after dad loosens up (4,2) ADDS UP {PUS<=}<=>{DAD}*

2   Publication of one's opinion getting student ultimately expelled by university (8) ?S?U?N?E (Addendum - ISSUANCE {1'S}{S(-t+u)UANCE - See comments)

3   Beverage lid and container retracted (counterfeit coin) (10) CAPPUCCINO {CAP}{CUP<=}{COIN*}

4   "ABCD" daughter and son arguing (2,4) AT ODDS {A to D}{D}{S}

5   Exclude page describing very revolting enemy (5,3) LEAVE OFF {LEA{V}{FOE<=}F}

6   Person at computer hampered by mouse regularly (4) USER [T]

7   Completion of repair a month away (6) ENDING mENDING

8   Work out locations of gay man's frolicking around India (8) GYMNASIA {GAY+MANS}* over {I}

15 Bulk of wine trade by ship? (10) PORTLINESS {PORT}{LINE}{SS}

16 Man mates in India, they provide support (8) CHAPPALS {CHAP}{PALS}

17 Spiders are sad in shot (8) ARANEIDS*

18 Be at the bottom of anguish, essentially, and cross red line (8) UNDERLIE {angUish}{RED+LINE}*

20 What's left of camp after wife's entry? Unknown! (6) TWENTY {T{W}ENT}{Y}

21 "Prepare to leave partnership": U.K. capitulates, partially regressing (4,2) PACK UP [T<=]

23 Roosters absorbing first bit of light? They might awaken you alarmingly (6) CLOCKS {C{Light}OCKS}

25 Pull dramatically, showing cheek in second over (4) MOON {MO}{ON}

Reference List

Engineer = E, Answer = A, Eastern = E, University = U, Daughter = D, Son = S, Very = V, Month = M, India = I, Ship = SS, Wife = W, Unknown = Y, Second = MO, Over = ON

No 14508, Wednesday 11 Jun 2025, Kriskross

Solution to 10A 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Leaders in genetics organise lab experiments making small artificial humans (6) GOLEMS Acrostic

4   Reports about extremely unjust laws (8) STATUTES {STAT{Un..sT}ES}

10 Banker with cool, more elegant clothes (9) F?N?N?I?R (Addendum - FINANCIER {F{IN}ANCIER} - See comments)

11 Stupid one visiting pub to get last of booze (5) INANE {IN{A}N}{b..zE}

12 Perhaps Bolivar is one expelled from South American country (7) SURNAME SURiNAME

13 Crime of middleman (7) OFFENCE {OF}{FENCE}

14 Lightweight cat (5) OUNCE [DD]

15 Associate, inflamed about fake news, gave a reply (8) ANSWERED {A}{NEWS*}{RED}

18 He examines bum with diseased sores (8) ASSESSOR {ASS}{SORES*}

20 Insects are regularly chasing young animal (5) PUPAE {ArE}{PUP}

23 Part of duet "Instant love" (7) SECONDO {SECOND}{O}

25 Metal-plated hospital vehicle (7) CHOPPER {C{H}OPPER}

26 Sex ultimately provides delight (5) EXULT [T]

27 Stop the Spanish entering ground to get fuel (6,3) DIESEL OIL {DIE}{S{EL}OIL}

28 Young children in sports meet, primarily everyone following lines (5,3) SMALL FRY {Sp...s}{Meet}{ALL}{F}{RY}

29 Guides drug addicts to consume heroin (6) USHERS {US{H}ERS}

DOWN

1   Fights hard to work in present place (4,4) GIFT SHOP {FIGHTS*}{OP}

2   Want to manage marathon (4,3) LONG RUN {LONG}{RUN}

3   Element of Japanese comic seen differently (9) MANGANESE {MANGA}{SEEN*}

5   Nurse abruptly covers blunder, with staff protecting her finally in panic (6-8) TERROR-STRICKEN {T{ERROR}{ST{heR}ICK}ENd}

6   Boss taking time to replace company's main embezzler (5) THIEF (-c+t)THIEF

7   Student in a home covered by ash, say (7) TRAINEE {TR{A}{IN}EE}

8   Drunk set off to marry (6) STEWED {SET*}{WED}

9   New anodyne rids twitching - but its effect is temporary (4,4,6) NINE DAYS WONDER*

16 Many sleepy or active workers get paid by them (9) EMPLOYERS {M+SLEEPY+OR}*

17 Fellow starts to examine rust lines in metal rings (8) FERRULES {F}{Ex...e}{Rust}{RULES}

19 Peruvian city's university surrounded by Byzantine arches (7) SECHURA {SECH{U}RA*}

21 Indian child and father's act winning Oscar (7) PAPOOSE {PA}{PO{O}SE}

22 Experts spending money for flowers (6) ASTERS mASTERS

24 The French thrash rebellious African state (5) NATAL {LA}{TAN}<=

Reference List

Associate = A, Hospital = H, The in Spanish = EL, Following = F, Lines = RY, Heroin = H, Time = T, Home =IN, Many = M, Fellow = F, University =U, The in French = LA

No 14499, Saturday 31 May 2025, Gussalufz

                                     Khadi Urad

 ACROSS
1 Masala French author rejected (5) SUMAC<

4 Took a walk with Sun editor, absorbing stirring nature (9) SAUNTERED {S}{NATURE*}{ED}
9 Answer duo from reporters' small pool (7) RESPOND {REporters}{S}{POND}
10 Escape a very boring racket going round (7) EVASION {A}{V} inside {NOISE}<
11 The reason drinking is back, finally, is this drink! (6) WHISKY{WH{IS}{bacK}Y}
12 Backing grim reckoning for beaver-like creatures (8) MUSKRATS {STARK SUM}<

14 Apostle returning from Honolulu appointment (4) PAUL [T<]
15 Form and structure of swimming pool or gym (including height) (10) MORPHOLOGY {H} in {POOL OR GYM}*
18 Possibly crude European joins (is full of s***, unfortunately) (6,4) FOSSIL FUEL {E} in {IS FULL OF S}*
19 Can Jack love Helen's clothes? (4) JOHN {J}{O}{HeleN}
22 Danger signal from valley, in concerning assertions, essentially (3,5) RED ALERT {DALE} in {RE}{asseRTions}
24 Billionaire on top of crypto revolution suffering regular losses (6) TYCOON {oN Of tOpCrYpTo}<
26 Papa, couch icky, is hiding rodent! (7) ACOUCHI [T]

27 By plugging running, he gets Australia's two openers stumped and run out (7) EXHAUST {X} in {HE*} +{AU}{ST}
28 Sweethearts quarrel, losing heads (it's a mistake) (9) OVERSIGHT {lOVERS}{fIGHT}
29 Suffer quietly, not about to reach closure (3,2) END UP  {ENDUre}{P}

DOWN
1 Squad entering to dine in mess (5-2) SCREW-UP {S{CREW}UP}
2 Men addressed disorderliness? One's sure dubious (9) MESSIEURS {MESS}{I}{SURE*}
3 Approves supporting credit limit of zero for criminals (6) CROOKS {OKS}<=>{CR}{O}
4 Very revolting commercial for beverage (4) SODA {SO}{AD<}
5 Aunt let off shackles, cracked jokes without preparation (10) UNEQUIPPED {aUNt}{lEt}{QUIPPED} 
6 I appreciate that teenager cycling around a vacant nook (5,3) THANK YOU {A}{NooK} in {+TH}YOU{-th}
7 Side with ChatGPT, perhaps, in "Loosely-copied Art" case (5) RAITA {AI} in {ART*}
8 Democracy ends with horrible rulers (7) DYNASTY {DemocracY}{NASTY}
13 "Come forth, no more stealth at last... Cocktail of gin? It's helpful!" (10) COMFORTING {COMe FORTh}{GIN*}
16 Pompous donor appallingly limits free tour (9) OROROTUND {TOUR}* in {DONOR}*
17 Excellent! Is awesome to keep liberal bubbles in line (8) AIRLOCKS {AI}{R{L}OCKS}
18 Extreme right given a turn for variety (7) FARRAGO {FAR}{R}{A}{GO}
20 Express negative ruling against partners (3-4) NON-STOP {NO} 

+ {TOP}<=>{NS}

21 Supply cheese sandwiches, fruit (6) LYCHEE [T]

23 Electronic device died (rusted after trapping oxygen) (5) DIODE {O} in {DIED*}

25 Orderly is almost at hand with a bit of tea (4) NEAT {NEAr}{Tea}

REFERENCE LIST

Sun=S, Editor=ED, Height=H, European=E, Jack=J, Love=O, Concerning=RE, BY=X{2 by 2=2x2}, Quietly=P, One=I, Zero=O, Commercial=AD, Excellent=A1 Partners= N(orth) S(outh) {In Bridge}

The Hindu Sunday Crossword No 2, Sunday 04 May 2025, Gussalufz

STATUESQUE

ACROSS

1   Bits of matter, unstable, originating near space (5) MUONS Acrostic &lit

4   Modify a robot, perhaps, eliminating erratic antics from organised terror campaigns (9) REPROGRAM {tERROR+caMPAiGns}*

9   Going away from conflict after South shelled closer to neighbourhood (7) OUTWARD {WAR}<=>{sOUTh} and {n...oD}

10 A loud, never-ending party with one stoned and green (7) AVOCADO {A}{VOCAl}{DO}

11 Fancy glass heliport around one lawmaker's office (14) LEGISLATORSHIP {GLASS+HELIPORT}* over {1}

12 Green tea oddly a part of one's make-up? (4) GENE {GrEeN+tEa}

13 Emergency worker's norm in the morning: dice bananas (9) PARAMEDIC {PAR}{AM}{DICE*}

17 Mysterious hit list includes initials of your parents? That's a serious problem (9) TYPHLITIS {HIT+LIST}* over {Your}{Pa...s}

19 Chief's ECG monitor providing regular readings (4) EMIR {Ecg+MonItoR}

22 You'll find out soon that W.C. is broken—express disapproval and walk back and forth (5,4,5) WATCH THIS SPACE {THAT+WC}*{HISS}{PACE}

25 Oregon's rolling by at last, mountains coming up (7) OROGENY {OREGON*}{bY}

26 She eats very well, somewhat mocking our metabolism (7) GOURMET [T]

27 Many orbit weirdly, showing deviation (9) ABNORMITY*

28 Right, lock doesn't open, key's tip rough? (5) ROCKY {R}{lOCK}{keY}

DOWN

1   Work unofficially with Spooner's crackpot force (9) MOONLIGHT (~loon might to moonlight)

2   Shape of cut has grown unevenly (7) OCTAGON {Of+CuT+hAs+GrOwN}

3   Thin box, susceptible at the edges (6) SPARSE {SPAR}{Su...lE}

4   Upcoming sprinter inspires Germany, favoured to get VIP treatment (3,6) RED CARPET {RAC{D}ER<=}{PET}

5   Possibly grand plan to turn Liberal into Independent? Fiasco, ultimately (5) PIANO {P(-l+i}IAN}{f...cO}

6   Furry creatures in love largely pose problems (8) OPOSSUMS {O}{POSe}{SUMS}

7   Prepared to examine makeshift bomb? (7) READIED {READ}{IED}

8   Movies struggle to get released, netting nothing in cattle calls (4) MOOS {MOvieS} over {0}

14 In a grating voice: "God alone holds power" (9) RASPINGLY {RA}{S{P}INGLY}

15 Find faults with item's woodwork (9) CARPENTRY {CARP}{ENTRY}

16 Recycled phone—gather, mostly, it's safe (3-5) ALL-CLEAR {(-c)ALL(+c)C}{LEARn}

18 Company policy restricts unreasonably (7) PLATOON {PLA{TOO}N}

20 Rank Florida city around second, approximately (7) MIASMIC {MIA{S}MI}{C}

21 Publishing company is the plaintiff (6) ISSUER {IS}{SUER}

23 Filthy minds filled with "glandular organs" (5) THYMI [T]

24 Final piece of fish was skinless (4) CODA {COD}{wAs}

Reference List

Party = DO, Norm = PAR, Right = R, Germany = D, Liberal = L, Independent = I, Power = P, Second = S, Approximately = C

No 14452, Monday 07 Apr 2025, Gussalufz

Solution to 20A 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

20 + 27

ACROSS

1   Professional 16 steal around ten A.M. roughly (4-1-3) RENT-A-MOB {ROB} over {TEN+AM}*

6   This second remedy contains cocaine (2,4) AT ONCE {ATON{C}E}

9   Racist exposed by Benazir (4) NAZI [T]

10 Free treatment area mostly second-rate? Shocking (10) RIDICULOUS {RID}{ICU}{LOUSy}

11 Shot a husband for smoking pipe (6) HOOKAH {HOOK}{A}{H} 

12 Fried potato piece hotel's cooked without hot pepper (8) CHIPOTLE {CHIP}{hOTEL*}

13 Fruit guy seen (got bananas) (10) MANGOSTEEN {MAN}{SEEN+GOT}*

15 Abruptly cancel periods (4) ERAS ERASe 

17 Setter went ahead, reviewed restaurant (4) DELI {I}{LED}<=

18 Ship uniform settling last IOU, sir (6,4) SAILOR SUIT* 

20 Shrink from touch involving hand (8) ?O?T?A?T (Addendum CONTRACT {CONT{R}ACT} - See comments)

22 Oddly ousted in Jammu, a month after returning unopposed (2,1,3) TO A MAN {iN+jAmMu+A+mOnTh}<=

24 Flatter pitch is back in India, good for day three: both sides (10) INGRATIATE {TAR<=} in {IN(-d+g)GIA}{ThreE}

26 It's over in Group One (4) UPON [T]

27 Cross groom primarily restrained by his partner (6) BRIDGE {BRID{Gr..m}E}

28 In hindsight, boss, er..., pseudoephedrine incorporates a strong concoction (8) ESPRESSO [T<=]

DOWN

2   Fancy beer served up with some salt (9) ELABORATE {ALE<=}{BORATE}

3   Opener and #6 skip cricket batting stunt (5) TRICK {cRICKeT}*

4   Bows after mass demonstrations (7) MARCHES {ARCHES}<=>{M}

5   Tender boy's basic instincts (3) BID {B}{ID} 

6   Conflict over uranium sale (7) AUCTION {A{U}CTION}

7   Watching people and going potty: king, queen, son (9) ONLOOKERS {ON}{LOO}{K}{ER}{S}

8   Horrible ulcer causing distress (5) CRUEL*

12 Drug dealer's revolutionary spray? (7) CHEMIST {CHE}{MIST}

14 Leader of government spread rubbish, was flashy (9) GLITTERED {Go...t}{LITTERED}

16 They protest, being a cranky sort, after a girl has sex (9) AGITATORS {A}{SORT*}<=>{A}{G}{IT}

18 Young celebrity's tip: getting up with alarm (7) STARTLE STAR(+t)TLE(-t)

19 A dangerous drive, going places (2,3,2) ON THE UP [DD]

21 He has some "unknown error" (5) OWNER [T]

23 Curses a public transport with energy (5) ABUSE {A}{BUS}{E}

25 One or two letters before C, e.g.? (3) ACE {A}{C}{E} 

Reference List

Cocaine = C, Husband = H, Hot = H, Hand = R, Good = G, Day = D, Mass = M, Boy = B, King = K, Queen = ER, Son = S, Revolutionary = CHE, Girl = G, Sex = IT, Energy = E

No 14424, Wednesday 05 Mar 2025, Gussalufz

Solution to 16D 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

How to get, How?

ACROSS

9   Cold drink course? (9) REFRESHER [DD]

10 Mindful of a fight starting to erupt (5) AWARE {A}{WAR}{Er..t}

11 Persevere and preserve, son, without ever straying (5,2) PRESS ON {PREServe+SON}

12 Quarrelling with signal guard about dropping lads off (7) ARGUING {sIGNal+GUARd}*

13 Rwanda Air regularly carries this detector (5) RADAR {RwAnDa+AiR}

14 Upon return, he said, "Freak hippo's killing every other marine creature" (9) SPIKEFISH {He+SaId+FrEaK+hIpPoS}<=

16 Now keep a bit of mash (i.e., beet puree) covered in asafoetida (3,3,4,5) FOR THE TIME BEING {FORT}{H{Mash+IE+BEET}*ING

19 Second authentication code: zero, ... one, ... a large number ending in eight? That's no longer valid (4,5) MOOT POINT {MO}{OTP}{0}{1}{N}{e..hT}

22 A breather, then the second part of filming, and that's a wrap (5) LUNGI {LUNG}{fIl...g}

24 Mythical creature is combination packing roc's tail and rhino's head (7) UNICORN {UNI{roC}O{Rh..o}N}

26 Dreams of ride (a Tesla) (7) IDEATES [T]

27 Catch girl and love (5) LASSO {LASS}{O}

28 Out playing golf? Beer at conclusion of game? (3,6) LEG BEFORE {GOLF+BEER}*{gamE}

DOWN

1   Cloth merchant: "Standard to have red border around" (6) DRAPER {RE{PAR}D}<=

2   Death in advance for criminal? (8) OFFENDER {OFF{END}ER}

3   Ban chess & porn wildly overwhelming India (10) CENSORSHIP {CHESS+PORN}* over {I}

4   Appreciation plummets after husband's input (6) THANKS {T{H}ANKS}

5   Whole party abruptly ends in schism over TV channel (8) ORGANISM {ORGy}{ANI}{SchisM}

6   Called line, scratching bottom (4) RANG RANGe

7   Deer saw a pit inside fencing (6) WAPITI [T]

8   The man hogged vulgarly — prickly creature (8) HEDGEHOG {HE}{HOGGED*}

15 Confident of shining when topless, sporting implant (10) EMBOLDENED {EMB{gOLDEN}ED}

16 Very well folks, voiding 25% of IOUs, keeping the rest (8) F?M?U?L?  (Addendum FAMOUSLY {FAM(-i+ous)OUSLY - See comments)

17 Complex relationship trouble involving no-good European (8) TRIANGLE {TRIA{NG}L}{E}

18 Top-rated metal soldier back-firing? (8) IGNITION {NO 1}{TIN}{GI}<=

20 Pointless life, so I took up boxing (6) OTIOSE [T<=]

21 Beg air travellers: "Bags on the counter, this is an inspection" (6) TRIAGE [T<=]

23 Broadcast is prosecuted (6) ISSUED {IS}{SUED}

25 Unpleasant smell in old electronic instrument (4) OBOE {O}{BO}{E}

Reference List

Keep = FORT, Second = MO, Number = N, India = I, Husband = H, No = N, Good = G, European = E, Smell = BO(Body Odour), Old = O, Electronic = E

No 14398, Monday 03 Feb 2025, Gussalufz

Solution to 14A 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

LOVE?

ACROSS

1   Grant from a Dutch university (5) ADMIT {A}{D}{MIT}

4   Pompous, abrupt old city staff (9) BOMBASTIC {BOMBAy}{STICk}

9   Common cold heralded by nasty green drips essentially (7) GENERIC {C}<=>{GREEN*}{drIps}

10 Launch platform, say, packaging trendy wife (7) SHIPWAY {S{HIP}{W}AY}

11 The Spanish swimmer is playful (6) ELFISH {EL}{FISH}

12 Never ceasing to rip my art and craft? (8) TRIMARAN {To+RIp+My+ARt+ANd}

14 Good man, embracing wife, rejected fling (4) T?S?

15 Justice, etc., maybe from savage carrot-and-stick gal not lacking in drama? (5,5) TAROT CARDS {CARROT+AnD+STick}*

18 Caught cook to request aloo tikkis? (10) CROQUETTES {C}{TO+REQUEST}*

19 "Release me!" snapped the thing (4) EMIT {ME<=}{IT}

22 Wreck lingerie, snagging one too small in size (8) RECKLING [T]

24 Younger journalist overexerting, last to leave after work (6) JUNIOR JOURNalIst*

26 Sob! Bamboo may be periodically chopped around trees (7) BAOBABS {SoB+bAmBoO+mAy+Be}<=

27 Potential double blows after wicket (5-2) WOULD-BE {DOUBLE}*<=>{W}

28 Extremely spiteful punk in destruction-mode inherently (9) UNKINDEST [T]

29 Feel sorry for beheaded bird (5) EGRET rEGRET 

DOWN

1   Swell golden dress a royal discarded (7) AUGMENT {AU}{GarMENT}

2   Declaration from fellow: "I party, love" (9) MANIFESTO {MAN}{I}{FEST}{O}

3   So, after drinking a bit of rum with a joint, drive? (6) THRUST {TH{Rum}US}{T}

4   Left out of dark side? (4) BACK BlACK

5   Grew quiet and dwelled after a letter from Greece (10) MUSHROOMED {SH}{ROOMED}<=>{MU}

6   Unreasonable G.M. fired from board opening vacancy in Munich (1,3,4) A BIT MUCH {gAmBIT}{MUniCH}

7   Building a railway engine, perhaps (5) TOWER [DD]

8   Oddly, curry helpings without guidance create "outbursts" (7) CRYINGS {CuRrY}{helpINGS}

13 Hang on, want ideas treated on virtue, ultimately (4,3,3) WAIT AND SEE {WANT+IDEAS}*{v...rE}

16 Sleep well beyond one, tucked in and getting rest (9) REMAINDER {REM}{A{1}ND}{ER}

17 Surpass in training? Not until we can run regularly (8) OUTLEARN {nOt+UnTiL+wE+cAn+RuN}

18 A beast of a vehicle I purchased, 50% off! (7) CARIBOU {CAR}{I}{BOUght}

20 Cycling coach gets tense with anxiety (7) TORMENT {(-men)TOR(+men)MEN}{T}

21 Tense medical procedure strongly putting out chief of surgery (6) FUTURE {F}{sUTURE} (Correction - (-s+f)FUTURE - See comments)

23 Grandfather possibly shut up after a sip of codeine (5) CLOCK {LOCK}<=>{Co...e}

25 Secretly start without bothersome person (4) TWIT [T]

Reference List

Dutch = D, Cold = C, Trendy = HIP, The in Spanish = EL, Wife = W, Caught = C, Wicket = W, Royal = R, Joint = T, Left = L, Quiet = SH, Sleep = REM, Well = ER, Strongly = F

No 14371, Wednesday 01 Jan 2025, Gussalufz

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Artwork by Prasanna

Rangoli by Gowri

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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

CH-CH

ACROSS

1   Without talent? Fudge it creatively, embracing a bit of nepotism (8) UNGIFTED {FUDGE+IT}* over {Ne...m}

5   Hamper efforts, ultimately disrupting fire platoon, essentially (6) BASKET {BA{e...tS}KE}{plaToon}

9   Church messengers short of fifty conversions (7) CHANGES {CH}{ANGElS}

10 Win trick with two queens (7) CONQUER {CON}{QU}{ER}

11 Even more mature file discovered (5) OLDER fOLDER

12 King's chasing speculation largely implicating wife for everything (3,5) THE WORKS {K'S}<=>{THEORy} over {W}

13 According to Gussalufz, love died. (6) PERIOD {PER}{I}{O}{D}

14 Performer returns with cape in a desire to advance (8) AVIDNESS {DIVA<=}{NESS}

18 Commercial-free additional broadcast expansion (8) DILATION adDITIONAL*

20 Afraid to leave following reprimand (6) EARFUL fEARFUL

23 Regularly find details, issues to think of (8) IDEALISE {fInD+dEtAiLs+IsSuEs}

25 Wow, Shakespearean tragedy after overtime! (5) HELLO otHELLO

27 Spread a falsehood about page's daughter (7) APPLIED {A}{P}{P}{LIE}{D}

28 Forest ranger has rum (7) STRANGE [T]

29 Old puzzle lying around? Save the last third for flight (6) EXODUS {EX}{SUDOku<=}

30 Peasants polished poetic pieces (8) ANAPESTS*

DOWN

1   Lacking cultivation? Produce dramatically after adding nitrogen and phosphorus (9) UNCROPPED {PRODUCE+N+P}*

2   More splendid runs after score crosses a large number (7) G?A?D?R (Addendum - GRANDER {R}<=>{GRA{N}DE} - See comments)

3   Discover fruit and nut bar wrapper on abandoned route (6,3) FIGURE OUT {FIG}{nUt}{ROUTE*}

4   Substitute teacher's at Zoom gathering (6) ERSATZ [T]

6   Pregnancy test? No, I am irregular (5) AMNIO*

7   After scrubbing soy meal, corroded key unlocks joint (7) KNUCKLE {KEy+UNLoCKs}*

8   Revolution of planet overlooking southern area (4) TURN saTURN

10 Divorce of uncle averted (6) CLEAVE [T]

15 Dilapidated pad carrying dire threat? (9) DEATHTRAP {D{THREAT*}AP*} Semi&lit

16 Rotten man stole small young fish (9) SALMONETS {MAN+STOLE}*{S}

17 Impersonated policeman, covering makeshift bomb (6) COPIED {COP}{IED}

19 Happened before Pluto crashed over the middle of Sweden? (3,2,2) LED UP TO {PLUTO}* over {swEDen}

21 Cats loudly turning gaga (7) FELINES {F}{SENILE<=}

22 Compose a sonnet describing spring, perhaps (6) SEASON [T]

24 One gets to finish university later (5) ADIEU {A}{DIE}{U}

26 Meet in coffee house, exchanging bits from classified files (4) FACE (-c+F)FA(-f+c)CE

Reference List

Church = CH, Fifty = L, Queens = QU,ER, King = K, Wife = W, Died = D, Commercial = AD, Following = F, Overtime = OT, Page = P, Daughter = D, Southern = S, Area = A, Small = S, Loudly = F, University = U

No 14344, Saturday 30 Nov 2024, Gussalufz

                                        Silky Pad?

 ACROSS
1 Thoughtful boss promises to pay (8) STUDIOUS {STUD}{IOUS}
6 Devil of a religious fellow eyes taking 50% (6) MONKEY {MONK}{EYes}

9 They take dips before/after the pubs (4) BARS {BAtheRS}

10 Working out with sex? I cringe, shocked (10) EXERCISING*

11 Guard's key or baton, essentially (6) ESCORT {ESC}{OR}{baTon}

12 Dark pigment in meat? Ah, wrinkles (8) HAEMATIN*

13 Enclosures: fresh dairy products (no runny dip) (10) COURTYARDS {dAiRY pRODUCTS*}

15 Assessment:// a gullible fool (4) MARK {DD}

17 Makes watery, revolting goulash (4) STEW {WETS<}

18 Verifying: no good spies left in country (10) PROVINCIAL {PROVINg}{CIA}{L}

20 Old collector of jazz? Am in, darling! (8) ZAMINDAR {T}

22 Fragile creature admits: "I'm small" (6) FLIMSY {FL{I'M S}Y}

24 "Sausages and wild strawberries, but no beer?" I teased (10) BRATWURSTS CA {BRATWURSTS+I BEER}*={STRAWBERRIES+BUT} {STRAWbeRrieS BUT}* See Comments

26 Inexperienced people slip when cycling (4) KIDS {(s)KID(+S)}

27 Reveals everything about wife's fluctuations (6) SWINGS {S{W}INGS}

28 Enormity of cricket almanack omitting special timeless tests (8) WIDENESS {WIsDEN}{tEStS}

DOWN

2 Electrify//vehicle (9) TRANSPORT {DD}

3 To an extent, kabaddi's considered a dance form (5) DISCO {T}

4 Oscar, really? Cuddling belly of butler in public! (7) OVERTLY {O}{VER{buTLer}Y}

5 Date of release oddly dropped back (3) SEE {rElEaSe}<

6 Male — offensive, carrying a touch of entitlement — has spiked drinks (7) MICKEYS {M}{ICK{Ent.....nt}Y'S}

7 Having an eye condition, gymnast bungled one cartwheel, initially (9) NYSTAGMIC {GYMNAST*}{I}{Cart......eel}

8 Lack of interest in Delhi: unnecessary uprising (5) ENNUI {T<}

12 "Period Drinks": fancy bar offering port (7) HARBOUR {H{BAR*}OUR}

14 Regarding change of winter clothes — time to get fully updated! (9) REWRITTEN {RE}+T inside WINTER*

16 Attacks, chopping head and shoulders (9) ROADSIDES {bROADSIDES}

18 Platforms of hatred embraced by hollow politicians (7) PODIUMS {ODIUM} inside {Pol......anS}

19 Soaked undies irritated, gripping strongly (7) INFUSED F inside UNDIES*

21 Slender (except its top) weapon (5) ARROW {nARROW}

23 Confirm chai plan conclusively with family (3,2) INK IN {chaI}{plaN}{KIN}

25 Hack some days a week? (3) SAW {T}

Reference List 

Promises to Pay=IOUs, Good=G, Left=L, Small=S, Wife=W, Time=T, Oscar=O, Male=M, One=I.