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

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.

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

No 14712, Monday 09 Feb 2026, Gussalufz

Solution to 29A 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.

Flying weapon, Eh?

ACROSS

1   Momentum in favour of church (5) FORCE {FOR}{CE}

4   Gen X reach out for someone with currency in many countries? (9) EXCHANGER*

9   Reportedly, they use their tongues in drinks (7) LIQUORS (~lickers)

10 Revolting double entendre ("IT's over with all unfulfilled!") about marriage (7) NUPTIAL {PUN<=}{IT<=}{ALl}

11 Voices in the heart of woods, near tall evergreens (6) OPINES {woOds}{PINES}

12 Carefree zebra shows how to chill again (8) REFREEZE [T]

14 Nearly bald hero (4) STAR STARk

15 Temperature in ice age pot readjusted for meat pastry (7,3) COTTAGE PIE {T} in {ICE+AGE+POT}*

18 Ms. X, not an evangelist? (10) MISSIONARY {MISS}{10}{NARY}

19 Conflicts happened to be connected with rupees (4) WARS {WA{R}S}

22 Be as composed, everyone, as a sandy shore (3,5) SEA BEACH {BE+AS}*{EACH}

24 European prime minister is back with anger and great power (6) EMPIRE {E}{PM<=}{IRE}

26 Increase in egg prices ends, union's leader arrested (7) UPSURGE {U{Pr..eS}RGE} over {Un..n}

27 Evacuate if given time after rail malfunctions (7) AIRLIFT {IF}{T}<=>{RAIL}*

28 Woman records family material (9) SHEEPSKIN {SHE}{EPS}{KIN}

29 Perhaps some mother's role in film? (5) L?Y?R (Addendum - LAYER DBE - See comments)

DOWN

1   Men and strong women engaged in greetings (no husband) (7) FELLOWS {F}{hELLO{W}S}

2   Resign, joining authentic startup, initially for payments (9) REQUITALS {RE{QUIT}AL}{St...p}

3   Brought out Tesla, perhaps in order to cover sexual inadequacy (6) EVOKED {EV}OKED Anno pending (Addendum - {EV}{OK}{ED} - See comments)

4   More followers of KKK, we're told? (4) ELSE {(~L's) from kLue kLux kLan}

5   Perform tricks, including juggling etc.? Fancy! (10) CONJECTURE {CONJ{ETC*}URE}

6   Current measurement in the morning, according to agency: 50% (8) AMPERAGE {AM}{PER}{AGEncy}

7   "He shows us the way regularly," Gauri added (5) GUIDE {GaUrI+aDdEd}

8   Excuse wrongdoing involving England? I'm not sure, upon reflection (7) RELIEVE {EV{E}IL}{ER}<=

13 Used conch irritatingly, essentially honking, as prelude to concert? (10) SOUNDCHECK {USED+CONCH}*{honKing}

16 Calmness pill voided stomach complaint (9) PLACIDITY {PilL}{ACIDITY}

17 Turn back cutting north, mate, if this building is not safe (8) FIRETRAP {PARTnER}{IF}<=

18 Mistakes from setter? Ultimately blames drinks (4-3) MESS-UPS {ME}{b...eS}{SUPS}

20 Top corner diner (7) SWEATER {SW}{EATER}

21 Shameless, somewhat regressive novel (a romance) (6) AMORAL [T<=]

23 One's life is empty—this might lead to a wedding? (5) AISLE {A}{IS}{LifE}

25 No way no ball, reviewed! This is tiring (4) YAWN {No}{WAY}<=

Reference List

Church = CE, Temperature = T, Rupees = R, European = E, Egg = URGE, Time = T, Rocords = EP's(Extended play's), Strong = F, Women = W, Husband = H, Tesla perhaps = EV(Electric Vehicle), England = E, Not sure = ER, North = N, Corner = SW(South West)

No 14682, Saturday 3 Jan 2026, Gussalufz

Identify the Nina and the theme words 

  Triple or Nothing

ACROSS
1 Munch quietly on cold meat (5) CHAMP {P}<=>{C}{HAM}
4 Glands prone to release second dash of rheum before end of sneezes (9) PROSTATES {PROSTrATE}{sneezeS}
9 Painter's angrier production (7) GRAINER*

10 Tandoori chicken cooked without onion had flopped, that's fair (7) CRICKET {TandooRi ChICKEn}
11 November observance organised in December and May, mistakenly (11,3) REMEMBRANCE DAY {RAN} in {DECEMBER MAY}*
12 Woman set out after pocketing diamonds (4) LADY {LA{D}Y}
13 Minor U.S. assets restricting one's source of tax breaks (9) DOWNTIMES {DIMES} over {OWN}{Tax}  
17 Drug havens minus dope? Bizarre! (5,4) OPIUM DENS*
19 Pasta, pizza win British, Irish hearts (4) ZITI {piZza wIn briTish irIsh}

22 Reject gnu clone after trial in synthetic habitat (8,6) CONCRETE JUNGLE*

25 Leaving body writhing, in goes killing squad's leader (7) GOODBYE {BODY}* in {GOEs} 
26 Popular team, now called "WI", backed regularly (7) WELCOME { tEaM nOw CaLlEd Wi<}
27 Startles Slytherin insiders with honesty (9) ARTLESSLY [T]
28 Pulls rank, replacing premier with unknown assistant, essentially (5) YANKS {(-r+Y)ANK}{assiStant}

DOWN
1 Hot garlic oil that can be smoky? (9) CIGARILLO*

2 Frightened gangster with weapon (7) ALARMED {AL}{ARMED}
3 Some cameraman apparently capsized in canal (6) PANAMA [T<]

4 Bird's role on hill (9) PARTRIDGE {PART}{RIDGE}
5 Old review in old language (5) OSCAN {O}{SCAN}
6 Time to join race-fit running group (small one) (8) TRIFECTA {T}{RACE FIT}*
7 Line up crosshairs and attack veganism occasionally (4,3) TAKE AIM {aTtAcK vEgAnIsM}
8 Provide reference over the phone, for position (4) SITE {~CITE}
14 Was beverage wrongly emptied jamming a sink? (5,4) WASTE AWAY {WAS TEA} {WronglY over A}
15 Mean behaviour is rising (partially lessened in September) (9) SNIDENESS [T<]
16 Is this setter guy friendly? (8) AMICABLE {AM I}{CABLE}
18 Smooth transformation that turns female into male? (4,3) IRON OUT {feMALE} Rebus
20 In Germany, radicals at extreme left have matured towards centre? (7) INGROWN {IN}{G}{Radicals}{OWN}
21 English writer, upper-class, by and large boring attention-grabber (6) HUXLEY {U}{X}{L} in {HEY}

23 Numbers filmed by Steven Spielberg (5) EVENS [T]
24 Pointless wager over origin of artifact in tourist destination (4) AGRA {wAGeR}{Artifact}

REFERENCE LIST

Quietly=P, Cold=C, Diamonds=D, Unknown=Y, Gangster=Al (Capone), Old=O, Time=T, Setter=I, Upper-Class=U, By=X (2 by 2=2 x 2), Large=L, Point=W (West); E(East)