Crossword

2227: Word building

The unclued lights (one of two words and another hyphened) can be arranged to form a word pyramid of 3 to 11 letters, adding one letter and making an anagram step by step.   Across   11    Demands performances from the past? (6) 13    Totally obsessed having cleared the plate (7, two words)

2226: Whitehouse

Clockwise from 4 run three titles (6,2,3,6,7,9,3,4,3,4,5) linked with X who won a 21 of 8s. 29 is a fourth such title. Solvers must shade the three clued lights that combine to form an anagram of X (two words). 29th August is doubly significant.   Across   9    Sea lion’s grandchild swallowing salt (5) 10   

2225: Category

Four unclued lights (two of which consist of two words each) belong in the same category; one unclued light defines them. Remaining unclued lights are the surnames of their creators. Each of twenty-seven clues comprises a definition part and a hidden consecutive jumble of the answer including one extra letter; the extras are the unchecked

2224: All here

The unclued lights (two of two words), individually or as pairs, are of a kind. Elsewhere, ignore one accent.   Across   9    Aromatic fragrance from front half of royal residence (4) 11    How embroiderers’ work fell apart — without any trouble (10) 12    The best spinners? (4) 16    Loved one

2223: Clerihew

29 6 (4 words) is 1 24 (3 words). 24 11 10 (4 words), but 6 11 36 (4 words).   Across   3    Secret compartments disguised in most of tables (12, two words) 12    Card game with same elements as brag (4) 14    Prohibit female and male from looking on the dark side (6)

2222: Exquisite

One unclued light (hyphened) is a 38 of a word hidden in the grid. Two unclued lights are definitions of the hidden word, which is also the surname of a former 11 of 25 (two words), whose first name is an unclued light. The hidden word and its 38 — both starting in an appropriate

2221: Shielded

The unclued lights are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer. Elsewhere, ignore two accents.   Across   1    Transfers year-groups (7) 11    Mushroom in cooker and much of the basmati (6) 12    Neighbours character’s hangers-on (7) 14    No Parking in island for Persian king (5) 15    Gamble on a lake

2220: Poem II

Unclued lights (two hyphened) are words (all but one of which are in ODQ) from a poem whose title appears in the completed grid. Two clued lights combine to give the poet’s surname and must be shaded.   Across   1    Brass hat beginning to eat brassica (4) 9    Gem from ring put on partner

2219: Keep going

Unclued lights (one of three words) are of a kind, as suggested by the title.   Across   7    Mostly stern examination (3) 11    African’s body to rest briefly (6) 13    One fitted into more extensive counter (7) 15    Entice to enter round dance (5) 16    Having only a small Kazakh coin, couldn’t visit restaurant?

2218: Fab!

The unclued lights (two of three words and two of two words) can be preceded by the same word and all are defined in Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable.   Across 10    Terrorist regularly misses the mark (4) 12    Canons once disturbed harmony (10) 14    Distinctive doctrine of Paris Match (3)

2217: Poem

Unclued lights (one hyphened) are words from a poem whose subject appears in the completed grid. A clued light is an anagram of the poet’s name and must be shaded. Elsewhere, ignore an accent.   Across   7    Pass through range heading west (3) 11    Any chap can empty nappy (6) 14    Gigs annoy heartless

2216: Riddle

Two clues are without definitions; their answers form the name of a person with a leading part in four works whose titles read clockwise round the perimeter. The title of another work involving the person, concealed in one row, must be highlighted. Letters in corner squares and those adjacent to them could make A FAB

2215: IVOs

The unclued lights (one hyphened and another a novel which is listed in Chambers Crossword Dictionary) display a similar feature — a few of the clued solutions do so too, though to a lesser extent. Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe.   Across 1    Slim, young, lithe person – hot! Just tops! (5) 6    Hosting

2214: What’s up?

The theme word is 29 down, which defines each of the other unclued lights (including one of two words) in one way or another. All unclued lights are entered in a thematically appropriate manner.   Across 1    A posh French novelist covers good French region (8) 6    Divine sun? Relax, it’s most excellent (6) 10   

2213: Surprising

A phrase, formed by four unclued lights, incorporates a definition of the other unclued lights and an indication of the way in which they are entered. Two unclued lights are hyphened.   Across   7    Nun, see, has to thank saint (6) 12    Rude man I’d sadly not held in high regard (9)

Plus ça change

The unclued Across lights (Individually or as a pair) are defined by the unclued Down lights (individually or as a pair).   Across   1    Consistent growth, as an unflappable batsman? (14, two words) 11    Dull-grey pelt (5) 12    Apparently futile flower (4) 13    Gay Tory awkwardly embracing Republican (5) 14

2211: Toddler hero

Clockwise round the grid from 37 runs a quotation plus its source (3,3,5,8,8,5,2,3,6,2,3,4) suggesting the outcome of 2. Remaining unclued lights, combined and subjected to 2, identify the author (three words). Elsewhere, ignore an accent.   Across 8    Garden cheers New World mammals (8) 10    Green and half-green bacteria (5, two words) 12    Lag Ivy

2210: Game theory

Four unclued lights can be arranged to form an eight-word excerpt from a quotation (in ODQ). One of these lights provides a cryptic indication of each of the other unclued lights. Each of thirteen clues comprises a definition and a hidden consecutive jumble of the answer including one extra letter; the extras spell the name

2209: Safe-blowers

The unclued lights (two of two words) are to be linked with one of the clued lights in translation. All resulting phrases, one doubly hyphened, can be confirmed in Chambers or Brewer.   Across   1    Roots out – the meal is ready (7, two words) 6    Hood cleans out, applying pressure (7,

2208: Mort

Two words form the name of a fictional 28, described by his creator as a ‘22A/31/26’. Remaining across unclued lights are associated with the first word and down ones with the second. Elsewhere, ignore an accent.   Across   1    Jackanapes swimming away from Jamaica belly-flops (8) 6    Taxmen laugh at seventy retired coppers (6)