The first prize of £100, three prizes of £25 and six further prizes of the Chambers Dictionary of Great Quotations (2015) go to the following. The first four prizewinners also each receive a bottle of champagne. First prize Andrew Dymond, London SE24 Runners-up Mrs P. Bealby, Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland; David Norwood, Puddletown, Dorset; Roderick Burgess, Cantsfield, Carnforth
Last year we lost a popular 39 of stage and screen. 18A/16 (four words in total) and 10/18A/15 (five words in total) are titles linked with the 39. 25 is the name16, while the remaining unclued lights give the name of the 39. A closely linked name (two words) will appear diagonally in the grid
Clues in italics are cryptic indications of partial answers. In each case, the indicated part must be 5 39 (five words in all) to create the full answer to be entered in the grid. Definitions of the resulting entries are supplied by unclued lights. Across 1 Film second struggle (5) 6
The unclued lights, (two of two words), individually or as two pairs, are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer 19th edition. Elsewhere, ignore one accent. Across 11 Jersey, perhaps, one’s left with (6) 12 Bangers for men like Ben Gunn (7) 14 Poor Ben repressing shout of joy for girl shedding tears (5)
Along the top and bottom rows of the grid runs a seasonal quotation of 11 words. 81 clues contain a superfluous word; the initial letters of these words in clue order spell out another seasonal quotation of 21 words; ignore the apostrophe. Other unclued lights (five of two words, one of three), singly or linked,
In each of eight clues, one letter has been cut from the definition part; the cut letters spell a word that defines each of four unclued lights. In each of five clues, one letter has been added to the definition part; the added letters spell a word that defines each of four unclued lights. The
The unclued lights (all of two or three words, some hyphened and all confirmed in Chambers) can be arranged into a consecutive sequence. Each light includes a different word which has to be represented in just one unchecked square. Across 4 General beginning to network as a gamble whenever in charge (11, hyphened) 11 Very
The title suggests a pair of unclued lights which identify the common feature of the others. Solvers must shade the pair. Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe. Across 5 Protozoon seen wriggling aboard steamboat (6) 9 Water envelops very soft body part (10, two words) 14 One lacking time and place for study (3) 16 Piebald
One unclued light is a publication (two words). The others are relevant figures (all in Chambers) who appear in a form suggested by the publication’s title. Across 1 Maybe camping, emptied lavatory diligently (8) 8 Heartlessly shakes young animals (4) 12 Earl leaves part of UK, touring king’s avenues (5) 16 Bed of rock’s silicon
This week’s puzzle breaks away from the traditional thematic puzzle. Instead, here is an alphabetical jigsaw for solvers to tackle. Clues are presented in strict alphabetical order of their solutions which begin with the letters indicated from A through to Z. Solvers have to assign each solution to its correct place in the grid.
1/44 (eight words in total) is part of a question (in ODQ) minus a word exemplified by the other unclued lights (one hyphened). The title suggests a further example (eight letters) which will appear diagonally in the grid and must be shaded. Across 11 Very good not quite excellent dish (4) 13 Awful prig with
One unclued light is the name of a drink which can be measured into three ingredients. Each ingredient has three definitions among the other unclued lights; unchecked letters of the nine lights in question are supplied by the puzzle’s title. Across 1 Changing tack, see, I perform on rink? (8, hyphened) 8 Total power in
The unclued lights, either individually or as a pair, are of a kind. Ignore one accent. Across 4 Read tea-leaves with nettle and flour ingredients (11, two words) 12 Rejected English found in pithy sayings (6) 14 Silent block (5) 19 Spare book (7) 21 Pay some Brazilian temp (4) 24 Ex-giant, literally (4)
The unclued lights, in one case paired, are all suggested by a thematic phrase (two words), which is set out in an appropriate form in the grid and must be highlighted. Across 1 Brass and slate vessel (8) 6 Really humid round townships (6) 10 Ham cast chose plays — they cause discomfort (12) 12
Unclued lights (three of two words; ignore one apostrophe) may be grouped to form a related triad. Across 1 Old wife to claim freebie from party (8, two words) 5 Arrest of secret police (6) 11 King’s job reduced: that hurt part of the fleet (10) 16 From lack of energy Roman general
The unclued lights, five of which are correctly numbered, are of a kind. Ignore one accent. Chambers does not include the solution at 29D. Across 01 Have nothing to do with letter read out to John — needs amending (13, five words) 09 European dormouse cutting 42 thematically (4) 11 Countrywomen
The third letters of extra words in two dozen clues spell out a 35 (in ODQ 7&8), associated with the 19 31, which explains the remaining unclued lights (all different real words), one of which is the cause of the others and must be shaded. Across 4 Packed out balls getting odd crew
One unclued light (ignore its umlaut) is the home of a team known by a name which is another unclued light. This name is also given to a group of 13 28; four related members (one hyphened) are the other unclued lights. Each of ten clues contains a misprinted letter in the definition part; corrections
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)
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
