Special, Sunday 12 Jul 2020, xChequer

Three answers per commenter till 6 PM (Annotations compulsory)
Please submit all your answers in one comment. Requirement waived off for today, you may enter single answers.

(COMMENTS ENTERED WITHOUT ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELTED WITHOUT NOTICE, UNLESS THE COMMENTER SPECIFIES THAT IT IS A COMPENSATION FOR A REPEAT)

GRID & INSTRUCTIONS

Single and famous, each thematic member has topped an elite list.  In terms of numbers, 5 such are featured here, but are unfortunately now divorced (some more than once) and have formed new associations.  When coming together, two pairs meet having something in common. Identify them in the grid.  Answer lengths are (4) - 3 cases, (5) - 1 case, (6) - 1 case.

The answer to the above instruction to be given out only after all the solutions are posted on the blog by various commenters.

SINGLES MATCH

ACROSS
1   Of late, protective gear breaking down gets undermined (6)
6   Delicate touch occasionally seen in reflection in say, saloons (6)
11 Sell-out merchants possibly rise running one-star stores (8)
12 Pitch in topless after king in a tangle (4)
13 Main vessel in harbour heading off in American advance (5)
14 Stone masonry has centrally spiralled grooves (6)
16 Difficulty with cop being out of line in God's name for Jew (6)
18 Raving about damage with money lost repeatedly (3-3)
20 Flip turning left when leaving Earth's gravitational force (4)
23 Crude holder used nails I suspect (3,4)
25 Pretentious kitsch with constant routine in entertainment (7)
29 Jabbers about getting fix (4)
31 Jenny's cheek brought about her depressing end (3-3)
34 Mouth of a pecker? (6)
36 Work with sallow skin from inside, turning rosy outside (6)
37 Disadvantaged person, possibly half-hearted slacker (5)
38 Compensation for letters getting torn (4)
39 Wealth created? No clue pet, unconcluded (8)
40 Fringe journalist's grand closing trap (6)
41 Prophet having crossed the briny, finally strolls (6)

DOWN
2   Noses inspired by Figaro mascots (6)
3   Dry spell when temperature's beginning to rise (5)
4   Circulating air apt for old Indian clothes basket (6)
5   Place where Dan may be given note to pick up coffee (4)
7   Offensive like sailor without uniform (7)
8   Pest in soil, more often wilder ground (7)
9   What a person shopping might have done absorbing gist of sales patter (5)
10 Perky son to get intrusively personal (4)
11 Weasel-like creatures turned traitor when covering back for safety (6)
15 Language breaking India's back? (4)
17 Indian soldiers sent up covering protected area (5)
19 Take in some macho customers in a group (5)
21 Splitting has ruined band (7)
22 Club rule put up to safeguard self and institution (7)
24 City's additional cases upset disheartened state (6)
26 Pretty keen to stifle a brat (4)
27 Many a champion returns to nought with zone at the top becoming hot (6)
28 A daughter's right in inheritance established, executing rule as necessary (6)
30 Carriage with diamonds presented (5)
32 River in spate regularly changing course (5)
33 Resistance in despair exhibited … (4)
35 … problem banks roughly trash (4)

No Across Lite version today. Those of you who have Crossword Compiler or some other software can create the Barred Grid for interactive solving.

I have tried (with Prasad's help) to create an interactive version of this Crossword using Viresh Ratnakar's Exolve software. A link to the same is given below. Please download the same and open with a web browser like Firefox or Chrome. Hope it works properly.

SINGLES MATCH

Enjoy.

SOLUTION

The theme in the puzzle is select chartbuster songs (Singles) which have topped at least one of the popular charts, maybe several (and some have stayed for several weeks).  Additionally, they have all achieved over 10 million copies either physically or as digital downloads and streaming.  They are spread across more than one grid entry.

                                 

Single	Artist	Year	US/UK Chart
CLOSER	The Chainsmokers	2016	1
HELLO	Adele	2015	1
YMCA	Village People	1978	1
WORK	Rihanna	2016	1
STAY	Rihanna	2013	1

No 12781, Friday 15 Nov 2019, xChequer

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.

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

The regular blog will replace the clues at 4 PM.

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

ACROSS
7   Make hay now come what may (6) ANYHOW*
8   Honour the old days? Honoured! (6) OBEYED {OBE}{YE}{D}
10 Judge's sound common sense getting husband to show indication of attachment (8) HEREWITH (~hear)(HERE}{WIT}{H}
11 Smashing with a pop into reversing vehicle (6) SUPERB {SU{PER}B<=}
12 About amateur's outer limit to variety, collecting diamonds for set (5) READY {RE}{A}{D}{v...tY}}
14 Shelters beginning to give us free rum (7) REFUGES {Give+US+FREE}*
15 Not always free, a choice ultimately made to leave reluctantly (4,7,4) TEAR ONESELF AWAY {NOT+ALWAYS+FREE+A+c...cE}*
18 Unprepared individual getting married about to show craft in fighting (3,1,3) MEN O WAR {RAW}{ONE}{M}<=
19 America in free tailspin, finally reflecting rock bottom (5) NADIR {A} in {RID}{t...iN}<=
20 Combination of two alternating notes or lines in a set of three (6) TRILLO {TRI{LL}O}
21 Already decided because English lost (8) FOREGONE {FOR}{E}{GONE}
23 Play placing two chess pieces alongside in a row (6) TINKER {TI{N}{K}ER}
24 Quietly move from point to point (6) TIPTOE {TIP}{TO}{E}

DOWN
1   Took place of accountant discharged, attrition of old (4,4) CAME TRUE {CA}{MET}{RUE}
2   Black phosphorus leaving burning heap in cowshed (4) BYRE {B}{pYRE}
3   Centre to show flower in a religious manner (6) HOLILY {sHOw}{LILY}
4   Sailor's effective invective (8) ABUSEFUL {AB}{USEFUL}
5   Part of immune system's damaged, damn ugly, help's anyhow useless? (5,5) LYMPH GLAND {DAMN+uGLY+HelPs}*
6   Loves a party, others not having time (6) ADORES {A}{DO}{RESt}
9   Summary dealing with inadequate resistance in movement (5,6) SHORT SHRIFT {SHORT}{SH{R}IFT}
13 Hormone producing near denial (10) ADRENALINE*
16 Crew member at initiation, one being fresh? (8) NEWCOMER {CREW+Me...r+ONE}*
17 About amateur's outer limit to variety, collecting diamonds for set (8) ARRANGED {Am..eR}{RANGE}{D}  What's the role of 'About'?
18 Pays for the Reverend's benefits (6) MERITS Spoonerism
19 Elevating India in ranking, essentially fabulous country (6) NARNIA [T,=]
22 Put away after grand opening (4) GATE {Gr..d}{ATE}

Reference List
Honour = OBE, Days = D, Husband = H, About = RE, Amateur = A, Diamonds= D, Married = M, America = A, Line = L, English = E, Chess pieces = N,K, Point = E, Accountant = CA, Black = B, Sailor = AB, Party = DO, Resistance = R

No 12746, Thursday 03 October 2019, xChequer

ACROSS
7 Illiterate under a strain (6) UNREAD [UNDER A]*
8 Leaves covers? Left covers (6) QUILTS [QUITS outside Left]
10 Die performing exploit (4,2,2) CASH IN ON [CASH IN + ON]
11 NO PERSON possibly coming by, on being victim of rape? (6) CREOLE [RE inside COLE] Never thought I'd see this turn of phrase (for containment by cole) in a crossword
12 Need to say anything poetically? (5) OUGHT [DD]?
14 Ordinary pulse and beat (7) HUMDRUM [HUM + DRUM]
15 Halt vehicle, run back to place rocks in ditch (5,2,3,5) LEAVE IN THE LURCH [HALT VEHICLE RUN placE]*
18 Somewhat rich, extremely pricy this victory (7) PYRRHIC [RicH PRICY]*
19 Notice in Brazilian port: 'In need of ham' (5) RADIO [AD inside RIO]
20 Wobble with vessel for teetotaller, a pitcher? (6) TOSSER [TOTTER with SteamShip for TeeTotaller]
21 Bullet missing the mark, but close (5,3) ROUND OFF [ROUND + OFF]
23 Powerful threat breaking resistance (6) POTENT [POrTENT]
24 American people short-changed in this city? (6) ALEPPO [American + PEOPLe*]

DOWN
1 Dirty flue or a chimney, essentially a smoky vent (8) FUMAROLE [FLUE OR A chiMney]*

2 This month's no month to be playful (4) ARCH [mARCH]
3 Attraction of Twitter on the Web (6) MAGNET [MAG + NET]
4 Elaborate on cub getting Queen's honour and toffee (8) BUNCOMBE [ON CUB* + MBE]
5 Diamond bearing rock, coarse, getting crushed (4,6) BLUE GROUND [BLUE + GROUND]
6 When chimney stacks start to yaw, find refuge (6) ASYLUM [AS + LUM outside Yaw]
9 Forward theocrats confused regarding the subject under discussion (2,4,5) ON THAT SCORE [ON + THEOCRATS*]
13 Revisit ego trips for cause (4,4,2) GIVE RISE TO [REVISIT EGO]*
16 Detain her entourage to arrest native (8) INHERENT [T]
17 Start to clear section of yard filled with scrap, and plant (8) CROWFOOT [Clear + FOOT outside ROW]

18 This side of stage feeding play in part? (6) PROMPT [ROMP inside ParT]
19 Inconvenience when short of time and money (6) ROUBLE [tROUBLE]
22 Idiot with intelligence? (4) DOPE [DD]

No 12744, Tuesday 01 Oct 2019, xChequer

Across

7. Signifying all points here are points of no return? (3-3) ONE-WAY (CD)
8. Let us fancy Holmes primarily is Sherlock (6) SLEUTH {LET+US*}{Holmes}
10. Change agent's say well begun work right during upswing (3,5) NEW BROOM {NEW}{B{R}OOM} New from? {doNE}{W} {B{R}OOM} See comments
11. Produces vessel to drink hock (6) SPAWNS {S{PAWN}S}
12. Object of logging in: 'ribald erotica'? (5) ALDER (T)
14. Still wearing passed on baby's clothes (7) LAYETTE {LA{YET}TE}
15. New debate, one my university arranged in private (7,3,3,2) BETWEEN YOU AND ME {NEW+DEBATE+ONE+MY+U*}
18. Recipe for disaster in a mule swiping ecstasy (7) FORMULA {FOR}{A+MULe*}
19. Indication of sex education allowing us to get integrated (5) FUSED {F}{US}{ED}
20. Pass cut slice of meat (6) COLLOP  {COL}{LOP}
21. Still air forming a barrier to energy layer (4,4) EVEN THEN {{E}{VEN T}{HEN}}
23. Son breaking rule has to quit (6) RESIGN {RE{S}IGN}
24. Group of horses united in armed offensive (6) REMUDA {U} in {ARMED*}

Down

1. What it may be for introvert to mature, getting an element of assurance (8) COVERAGE {COVER}{AGE}
2. Angelica possibly, or some other babe (4) HERB (T)
3. Smack one forsaking white knight (6) SAVOUR {SAViOUR}
4. Line, by use, so reproduced in reaction to sneeze (5,3) BLESS YOU {L+BY+USE+SO*} &lit
5. Item in tea service beginning to grill, so turn gas off (5,5) SUGAR TONGS {Grill+SO+TURN+GAS*}
6. Referring to source as gutless creature (6) WHENCE Anno not clear {WHEN}{CreaturE} See comments
9. Selfsame icy forms in some emoticons (6,5) SMILEY FACES {SELFSAME+ICY*}
13. Thermos said to be outstanding, having far-flung, large demand (5,5) DEWAR FLASK {~DUE}{FAR*}{L}{ASK}
16. Coach and train English to crack some centuries, say (8) EQUIPAGE {E}{QUIP}{AGE}
17. Award winning, extremely impressive victory of ancient times (8) MEDIEVAL {MED{ImpressivE}{V}AL}
18. Stories of fires regularly spread by wind (6) FLOORS {Fi{LOO}ReS}
19. Enemies of enemy firing the last shot (6) FOEMEN {OF+ENEMy*}
22. Twig basket? (4) TRUG {T}{RUG} &lit

No 12715, Tuesday 27 Aug 2019, xChequer

ACROSS
7   International tender needs them in the same place (6) IBIDEM {I}{BID}{EM}
8   Hot wind is back and low season's back (6) SIMOON {IS<=}{MOO}{s...oN}
10 Sit tight allowing international bank rate to regress in these spirals (8) STROBILI {LIBOR<=} in {SIT}* Had to cheat for this
11 Resistance for Democrat in team discussion creating difficulty (6) HURDLE HU(-d+r)RDLE
12 Has to break promises (5) OATHS*
14 Auditor's negative remark about medical body's technique (4-3) KNOW HOW (~no){KNOW} over {WHO}
15 Good change made, team snatch decisive victory (4,3,3,5) GAME SET AND MATCH {G}{MADE+TEAM+SNATCH}*
18 Sole crop in field for horses (7) PADDOCK {PAD}{DOCK}
19 Too bad about line in plant (5) SALAL {ALAS<=}{L}

20 Arose when police officer called (6) SPRANG {SP}{RANG}
21 Past issue boomerangs eventually (4,4) OVER TIME {OVER}{EMIT<=}
23 Level sides to toss in competitions (6) EVENTS {EVEN}{TosS}
24 Interpret a tongue (6) GLOSSA {GLOSS}{A}

DOWN
1   Respectable but not socially acceptable amateur becoming female star (8) VIRTUOSA {VIRTUOuS}{A}
2   Ceiling over public bathing area (4) LIDO {LID}{O}
3   Is consistent with being born without privileges? On the contrary (6) BEFITS BEneFITS
4   Prominent notice displayed by men reflecting moral approach (4,4) HIGH ROAD {HIGH}{AD} over {OR<=}
5   Worth a full toss leaving open boundary in play (6,4) FOURTH WALL*
6   Brief particulars with banks basis for ledger entry (6) INFLOW {INF}{LOW} (Addendum - {INFO}{W} over {Le...r} - See comments)
9   Act tense out in the middle to kick off game (4-4-3) TICK-TACK-TOE {ACT+TensE+TO+KICK}*
13 Time study to dilute move to stay afloat (5,5) TREAD WATER  {T}{READ}{WATER}
16 Thrill to keep working against gravity's pull a little longer (8) ELONGATE {EL{ON}{G}ATE}
17 Regular newspaper feature right under article – like a post (8) COLUMNAR {COLUMN}{A}{R}
18 Go for every season with this (6) PEPPER {PEP}{PER}
19 Energy and dash in furtive meet (6) SEEMLY {S{E}{EM}LY}
22 Hard to soak up nonsense (4) TOSH {H}{SOT}<=

Reference List
International = I, Them = 'EM, Low = MOO, Resistance = R, Democrat = D, Good = G, Line = L, Socially acceptable = U, Amateur = A, Over = O, Born = NE, Notice = AD, Men = OR, Time = T, Gravity = G, Working = ON, Right = R, Energy = E, Dash = EM, Hard = H

GRID

No 12714, Monday 26 Aug 2019, xChequer

ACROSS
7   Invokes son to be the ultimate in corrupt (6) EDUCES {(s)EDUCE(+s)S}
8   With say spring break around, men getting tense I'll be bound (6) CAVORT {VAC<=}{OR}{T}
10 First shot, a shot to ask: "Are you serious?" (2,4,2) IS THAT SO {1ST}{A+SHOT}*
11 Embarrassed fellow backing one in agreement (6) NODDER {RED}{DON}<=
12 Offer to hold exercise in Turkey for example (5) BIPED {BI{PE}D}
14 Greeting liberal wanting to experiment with bondage (7) HELOTRY {HElLO}{TRY}
15 Guilt that left alone disperses, be totally relaxed (3,2,3,4,3) LET IT ALL HANG OUT {GUILT+THAT+L+ALONE}*
18 Soon connected with hundred people (7) INHABIT{IN A BIT} over {H}
19 Fling with maiden backfiring over model's false notions (5) MYTHS {M}{SH{T}Y<=}
20 Madame kept by politician showing attachment to the hilt (6) POMMEL {PO{MME}L}

From Wikipedia. Original by Nathan Robinson of myArmoury.com.

21 Double faulted, preposterously as it happens, at the last moment before victory (4,4) EVIL TWIN {LIVE}*{m...nT}{WIN}
23 Uniform parts from genuine, certified agent (6) ENGINE GENuINE* [CA]
24 Comment on target (6) REMARK {RE}{MARK}

DOWN
1   Quite likely charges dropped, the Holy Book saving bishop (8) FEASIBLE (~fees){FEAS}{bIBLE}
2   Luxurious sponge (4) LUSH [DD]
3   G5 lot possibly dash off and touch down (6) PENTAD {PEN}{TAD}
4   Guide reversing world body's order round a volcano (5,3) MAUNA LOA {MA(NU<=)AL}{O}{A}

5   Stays put, this gold rush displaying high tension (5,5) HOLDS TIGHT {THIS+GOLD}* in {HT}
6   Hard stone gets slippery (6) STEELY {ST}{EELY}
9   Perfectly formed teeth rot without check (2,3,6) TO THE LETTER {TEETH+ROT} over{LET}
13 Attendant engaged to help at home endlessly saluted (4,6) PAID HOMAGE {P{AID}{HOMe}AGE}
16 Manual British Telecom distributed for mobile (8) AMBULANT {MANUAL+BT}*
17 Move away from bears trailing ahead (2,6) UP STICK {STICKS}<=>{UP}
18 Pressed journalist to support club (6) IRONED {IRON}{ED}
19 First people to secure help (6) MAIDEN {M{AID}EN}
22 Split up for ambush (4) TRAP<=

Referenec List
Son = S, Spring break = Vacation = VAC, Men = OR, Tense = T, Exercise = PE(Physical Education), Liberal = L, Left = L, Hundred = H, Maiden = M, Model = T, Madame = MME, Uniform = U, On = RE, Bishop = B, World body = UN, Order = O, High Tension = HT, Stone = ST, Journalist = ED

GRID

No 12682, Friday 19 Jul 2019, xChequer

RULES FOR POSTING ON 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.

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

The regular blog will replace the clues at 5 PM.

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

ACROSS
7    Excel's rule for mouse (6) SHINER {SHINE}{R}
8    Make fun, look a bit thick (6) UNFAIR {FUN*}{AIR}
10 Take note of winter wear stores offering discount (4,4) MARK DOWN {MARK}{DOWN} (Addendum - {MARK}{DO{W}{N} - See comments)
11 Counterfeit money buying time for radical (6) ETYMON {E{T}YMON*}
12 Pressure to reduce volume of boiling fat (5) LIPID LI(-v+p)PID
14 Technique of telling time with height displacement in mountain mapping (7) OROLOGY hOROLOGY
15 Mutton from sheep butchered for snap (4-2-3-6) SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT*
18 Gloss over lie in shady bar (7) SHEBEEN {SHE{BE}EN}
19 Virtue of some rituals (5) MERIT [T]
20 Denomination 2d (6) CHURCH [CD]
21 Shy if silent intrinsically (2,6) IN ITSELF*
23 Insensibility round places having gold (6) STUPOR {PUTS<=}{OR}
24 Bottle of fluid, one containing spirit (6) FLAGON {FL}{A{GO}N}

DOWN
1    Need duck slices especially for this boneless meat dish (8) ESCALLOP {ES{CALL}{0}P}

2    Base to stick incense in place of worship (4) KIRK {s..cK}{IRK}
3    Free ball pitched up goes to fence (6) DEVOID {O} in {DIVED<=}
4    Lobby, one arm to building (8) ANTEROOM*
5    A British boy born after a battle might describe me! (4,6) BABY BOOMER  {A+B+BOY+BORn}* over {ME} &lit  There's and extra N in the fodder See comments
6    Sanguine after changing sides, as a sitting duck would be? (6) BROODY B(-l+r)ROODY
9    Rain to hit coasts to save India melting away like this? (4,4,3) INTO THIN AIR {RAIN+TO+HIT}* over {IN}
13 Quietly usurped or otherwise, vain about wealth (5-5) PURSE-PROUD {P}{USURPED+OR}*
16 Head getting hot with ego surfacing in strip joint perhaps (8) FLESHPOT {TOP}{H}{SELF}<=
17 Gaining pounds in the middle can be irritating (8) NETTLING {NETT{L}ING}
18 Life force found in small stone or rock (6) SCHIST {S}{CHI}{ST}
19 The deep, cunning fellow not wanted as a rule (6) MAINLY {MAIN}{fLY}
22 Evidence of good in wrongdoing (4) SIGN {SI{G}N}

Reference List
Rule = R, Winter = W, Time = T, Pressure = P, Volume = V, Height = H, Gold = OR, One = AN, Duck = 0, India = IN, Quietly = P, Hot = H, Pounds = L, Small = S, Stone = ST, Fellow = F, Good = G

GRID

No 12681, Thursday 18 Jul 2019, xChequer

ACROSS
7    Meal without a vessel (6) LAUNCH {L{A}UNCH}
8    China's neighbour having power to remove Western expatriate tycoon (6) TAIPAN TAI(-w+p)PAN
10 Tailor set mark to cut opening in robe (8) VESTMENT {V{SET*}{M}ENT}
11 One beginning to close old fireplaces (6) INGLES (-s)INGLE(+s)S
12 Monsters go back, saint carries on (5) OGRES {GO<=}{RE}{S}
14 Mum can supply loads of fish sauce (4,3) NUOC MAM {MUM+CAN}* {O} Thanks to Google

15 Modern man reached space, a wonderful experience (7,3,5) PEACHES AND CREAM*
18 Get expert to heal (7) PROCURE {PRO}{CURE}
19 Extract using force with support (5) WREST {W}{REST}
20 Bit of finery, over a pound during season (6) FALLAL {A}{L}<= in {FALL}
21 Fancy heiress eating fine specimen of mackerel (4,4) SEER FISH {HEIRESS}* over {F}

23 Perhaps a patient batting partner (6) INMATE {IN}{MATE}
24 Instrument of Zulu heritage, timeless hit (6) ZITHER {Z}{HERITage}*

DOWN
1    Noble use questionable for a prig (8) BLUENOSE*
2    Barely reasonable (4) JUST [DD]
3    Current charge for admission (6) ACCESS {AC}{CESS}
4    Several staff doubt veteran (8) MANIFOLD {MAN}{IF}{OLD}
5    Ahead before true game unfolds on a sticky wicket (2,1,3,4) UP A GUM TREE {UP}{TRUE+GAME}*
6    Garment measure said to appear under hip (6) INSEAM {IN}{SEAM}(~seem) &lit
9    Put up with a kid in order to loosen up (5,2,4) STAND AT EASE {STAND}{A}{TEASE}
13 Deficiency in butter reportedly for Spooner's meat dish (4,2,4) RACK OF LAMB {(-l+r)RACK} {OF}{(r+l)LAMB} Ramb?
16 Identity of base character (8) EQUALITY {E}{QUALITY}
17 Skill and cunning is on test (8) ARTISTRY {ART}{IS}{TRY}
18 Limits to paper alliance in real-life operation (6) PRAXIS {PapeR}{AXIS}
19 Tiny, most nasty pest (6) WEEVIL {WEE}{VILe}

22 Name of northerly, stifling hot wind (4) FOHN {N}{OF<=} over {H}

Reference List
Power = P, Western = W, Mark = M, Saint = S, On = RE, Of = O, With = W, Pound = L, Fine = F, Zulu = Z, Base = E, Name = N, Hot = H

GRID

No 12650, Wednesday 12 Jun 2019, xChequer

ACROSS
7   Appearance on behalf of mother ending in fight (6) FORMAT {FOR}{MA}{f..hT}
8   Biting, cut close to bone (6) SEVERE {SEVER}{bonE}
10 Male needing place to retire with suitable companion (8) HELPMEET {HE}{PL<=}{MEET}
11 Musician's appeal reflected in burning passion (6) LUTIST {LU{IT<=}ST}
12 Racing boat out of yard and harbour in operation (5) YACHT {Y}{AC{H}T}
14 Alert when explosive fuel trails vehicle (7) CAREFUL {CAR}{FUEL*}
15 Novel to follow the timeless touch, entirely from fantasy (3,2,5,5) OUT OF WHOLE CLOTH {TO+FOLLOW+THE+tOUCH}*
18 Merciful chapter before sanction to quarter soldiers (7) CLEMENT {C}{LE{MEN}T}
19 Month to live perhaps (5) MAYBE {MAY}{BE}
20 Mica so used in tile pattern (6) MOSAIC*
21 Kept away from top due to imbecile (5,3) OPTED OUT*
23 King wearing an allowed ornament (6) ANKLET {AN}{K}{LET}
24 About to consider buy back (6) REDEEM {RE}{DEEM}

DOWN
1   Expression of deference unfortunately true of anybody without guts (5,3) AFTER YOU {TRUE+OF+An...dY}*
2   Good to have rent control (4) GRIP {G}{RIP}
3   Overdue book lying hidden (6) LATENT {LATE}{NT}
4   Left in charge, independent say, to act as one may wish (4,4) FEEL FREE {FEE}{L}{FREE}
5   Extremities associated with once the greatest fundamental weakness? (4,2,4) FEET OF CLAY {FEET}{OF}{CLAY}
6   Wives selectively employing craft (6) VESSEL [T]
9   Executive remuneration showing high cost, then over to pink slips? (5,6) STOCK OPTION {COST}*{O+TO+PINK}*
13 Shut up before nasty son comes to show solidarity (5,5) CLOSE RANKS {CLOSE}{RANK}{S}
16 Poor women gagged (8) WRETCHED {W}{RETCHED}
17 Myth demolished about basis of entertainment with 'Silent Movie' (3,5) THE MUMMY {TH{En...t}{MUM}MY*}
18 Church getting vocal about group singing (6) CHORAL {CH}{ORAL}
19 Protection for hand, but struck head off (6) MITTEN sMITTEN
22 Deserts line in battle (4) DUEL {DUE}{L}

Reference List
Place = PL, Appeal = IT, Yard = Y, Harbour = H, Time = T, Chapter = C, King = K, About = RE, Good = G, Book = NT(New Testament), Son = S, Women = W, Church = CH, Line = L

GRID

No 12649, Tuesday 11 Jun 2019, xChequer

Some new words at 20A, 4D and probably 10A which I have not solved.

ACROSS
7   Post that may fit one employed after retirement (6) NOTIFY [T<=]
8   Benefactors having name entered in portals (6) DONORS {DO{N}ORS}
10 Wisdom returning after collapse for bull (8) ?O?D?R?L (Addendum FOLDEROL {FOLD}{LORE<=} - See comments)
11 Dislodged bachelor being fellow manipulated (6) FUDGED (-b+f)FUDGED
12 Rushed having started late, being on time would be pleasing (5) TASTY {T}{hASTY}
14 Chicken 65 for starters gets a shade timeworn (7) YELLOWS {YELLOW}{Si...e}
15 Economies now not in ideal position to get rightful recognition (4,4,4,3) COME INTO ONES OWN*
18 Detail about matter (7) RECOUNT {RE}{COUNT}
19 Sink bin Laden with remains ending in oblivion (5) BASIN {B{ASh}IN}
20 Primate shot crossing a trail (6) GALAGO {G{A}{LAG}O}

21 Creating fuss or getting along? (6,2) MAKING DO {MAKING}{DO}
23 Jumbled mixture eaten by wild game bird (6) MAGPIE {MAG{PI}E*}

24 Nowhere short of hundred runs so far (3,3) ERE NOW {NOWhERE}*

DOWN
1   Sprinkling of ground over new root (3,2,3) ONE OR TWO {O+NEW+ROOT}*
2   Boss leaving scrutiny unfinished (4) STUD STUDy
3   Affectionately switching sides without a brawl (6) AFFRAY  {AFF(-l+r)RY} over {A}
4   Flag on traverse, one with edge nicked? (8) GONFALON {FLAG+ON}*{ONe} Semi&lit

5   Happy hours, so bottomless deal in wayside taverns (10)  ROADHOUSES {HOURS+SO+DEAl}*
6   Shows drug addicts taking heroin (6) USHERS {US{H}ERS}
9   Trade I ply from tea stall (4,3,4) PLAY FOR TIME*
13 Sept. 11 commute leaving significant impact (4,6) STEP CHANGE {SEPT}* [RA] What's the role pf 11? See comments
16 Nationalist wearing blue uniform gets hysterical (8) NEUROTIC {N}{E{U}ROTIC}
17 Act during opportunity, then finally relax (4,4) WIND DOWN {WIND{DO}OW}{theN} There's an extra O in the fodder
18 Dominions are free from American charity? (6) REALMS {ARE}*{aLMS} (Addendum - {aRE}{ALMS} - See comments)
19 Where dough is made from bread or the other way round (6) BAKERY [C&DD]
22 Goose protecting new-born (4) NENE {NE{N}E}

Reference List
Name = N, Bachelor = B, Fellow = F, About = RE, Hundred = H, Over = O, Heroin = H, Nationalist = N, Uniform = U, American = A, New = N

GRID

No 12617, Saturday 04 May 2019, xChequer

Across

7. Moment when setter's left on board (6) IMPORT {I'M}{PORT}
8. Predominant decision (6) RULING (DD)
10. Legend has ocean inundating most of vast island (3,5) KEY LARGO {KEY}{O} around {LARGe}
11. Motivating when son gets promoted for passing (6) CASUAL {CA(+S)U(-s)AL}
12. Native American disrespectfully inhabiting virgin jungle (5) INJUN (T)
14. Sight of mince pies baking (7) EYESHOT {EYES}{HOT}
15. How to name cluster that is styled 'Benelux'? (3,3,9) THE LOW COUNTRIES  {HOW+TO+N+CLUSTER+IE*}
18. Basis of potential energy ejecting object at launch (7) PREMISE {PR(-o+E)MISE}
19. Military trainee acted at war (5) CADET {ACTED*}
20. Husband shaves to return in highest of spirits (6) SERAPH {{H}{PARES}}<=
21. Retire to become … (4,4) TURN INTO {TURN IN}{TO}
23. … minor player that racket sports need for programme (6) CODING {CO{DIN}G}
24. Tick climbed up and down (6) MOROSE {MO}{ROSE}

Down

1. Breathing hard without sense to swallow (4,4) LIVE WITH {LIVE}{WIT}{H}
2. Gem of a friend (4) OPAL {O'}{PAL}
3. Thirsty work in practice (3,3) DRY RUN {DRY}{RUN}
4. Poor uncle working to obtain hot meal (8) LUNCHEON {UNCLE*}{ON} around H}
5. Endure short, sharp shock if storks hide bundles away (4,3,3) KISS THE ROD {STORKS+HIDE*}
6. Shocked by features in a sports car (6) AGHAST {A}{G{HAS}T}
9. Performed too frequently and deed then is ____ __ _____? (4,2,5) DONE TO DEATH {TOO+AnD+dEeD+THEN*} &lit Thanks Col. for the anno
13. Sweetheart coming to position, ideal posing for unconventional beauty (5,5) JOLIE LAIDE {JO}{LIE} {IDEAL*} Thanks to Google
16. Say cat’s paw under control (4,4) WHIP HAND {WHIP}{HAND} Thanks Col. for the anno
17. One in ten new couples objects (8) ENTITIES {I} in {TEN*}{TIES}
18. Lace branches into cover for path? (6) PLEACH {LACE*}in {PatH} &lit
19. Bottle from pub reserved for the Reverend (6) CARBOY {(-b+C)AR}{(-c+B)OY}
22. Happening to take care of figure (4) ICON {I{CO}N}

Reference List

Ocean=O, Son=S, Name=N, That is=I.E., Energy=E, Husband=H, Tick=Mo
Of='O, Working=On, Hot=H, Sweetheart=Jo, One=I, Care of=C/O

Colour/Font Scheme

Definition, Solution, Component letters, Embedded links, Theme word,  Anagram Indicator, C/C indicator, Reversal Indicator, Hidden word Indicator, Letter Pick indicator, Deletion Indicator, Homophone Indicator, Movement Indicator, Positional Indicator, Substitution, Indicator, Link/Connector, Extraneous

GRID

N0 12616, Friday 03 May 2019, xChequer

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ACROSS
7   Discordant chat on all boards (6) ATONAL [T]
8   Silent break for confession (6) SHRIFT {SH}{RIFT}
10 Ural ranges bordering largest continent, an old supercontinent (8) LAURASIA {URAL*}{ASIA}

11 Two islands that form this island (6) TAHITI {I+I+THAT}* &lit
12 Latin memoranda showing brief inscription for the departed (2,3) IN MEM [T]
14 Saints preserving our extremely chaste origins (7) SOURCES {S}{OUR}{Ch..tE}{S}
15 Building often lacks nice yard for appeal (6,4,5) TICKLES ONES FANCY {OFTEN+LACKS+NICE+Y}*
18 Avoids untrue wife to deny support (7) DISAVOW {AVOIDS*}{W}
19 Able to hold deposit in Austria (5) ADEPT {A{DEP}T}
20 Nero's advisor seen fighting with accountant (6) SENECA {SEEN*}{CA}
21 Spanish solo dance, variation of cha cha cut short (8) CACHUCHA {CAH+CHA+CUt}*

23 Characters approaching the French fort (6) CASTLE {CAST}{LE}
24 Groom emptied stall, tore off (6) OSTLER {StalL+TORE}*

DOWN
1   Alternately choke dual air supply in elaborate suicide (4-4) HARA-KIRI {cHoKe+AIR+AIR}*

2   Rude person's sound of disapproval meeting resistance (4) BOOR {BOO}{R}
3   Hurried to get ordered amount for kidnapper's payoff (6) RANSOM {RAN}{SOM} (~ sum)
4   Weapons of Japanese military rulers conquering Thailand (8) SHOTGUNS {SHO{T}GUNS}
5   Lively over each thing disputed (4-6) HIGH OCTANE {O+EACH+THING}*
6   Standing immediately before us (6) STATUS {STAT}{US}
9   Snack of bread and preserve in police vehicle (3,8) JAM SANDWICH [DD]

13 Seems snake coils or stands up (5,5) MAKES SENSE*
16 Fortunate having nurse within reach (8) ENVIABLE {EN}{VIABLE}
17 Court entertaining frantic rush to interrupt (3,5) CUT SHORT {RUSH+TO}* in {CT}
18 Geek rising to have cold and hot soak (6) DRENCH {NERD<=}{C}{H}
19 Challenge charge tagged to account (6) ACCOST {AC}{COST}
22 Unpleasant thug lying concealed (4) UGLY [T]

Reference List
Silent = SH, Characters = CAST, The in French = LE, Immediately = STAT, Nurse = EN(Enrolled Nurse), Court = CT, Geek = NERD, Charge = COST, Account = AC

GRID