‘1/5/28’ (five words in total) is part of a quotation in ODQ and suggests how to find the common element in the remaining unclued lights (41 is in Collins). The author’s surname (6) will appear in the completed grid and must be shaded. Across 9 Fling blue ring away (3) 11 Vase containing
The part quotation was ‘WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE’ (15A/35/1D) from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by COLERIDGE (20). Remaining unclued lights, not in themselves indicating water, all consist of two parts that do: SEA/MED (3), KILL/DEE (6), MAIN/SPRING (19), PEE/WEE (30) and BURN BLUE (34D/25). First prize Chris Edwards, Pudsey, Leeds Runners-up David Norwood,
‘14/7’ (four words in all) is part of a quotation from 29/1D in ODQ and is what the remaining unclued lights do in slightly different ways. The title of the relevant work will appear in the completed grid and must be shaded. Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe and an accent. Across 1 Mate nautical
The ‘circular chain’ (or RING CYCLE) of items was: RING CYCLE (anag of RECYCLING), GLYCERINE, GENERICAL, CAREENING, TANGERINE, ARGENTINA, WAGNERIAN, NORWEGIAN, ANGLE IRON, LOHENGRIN, RHEINGOLD, RE-FOLDING, GLORIFIED, FILIGREED, SIEGFRIED, REGICIDES, ISENERGIC, RECOGNISE, CONCIERGE, CRYOGENIC. WAGNER, whose bicentenary fell on 22 May, replaced the answer WAURST at 46 across. First prize Dr John Stabler, Fakenham,
‘15A/35/1D’ is part of a quotation from 20 in ODQ and could refer to the remaining unclued lights (including a pair). Elsewhere, ignore an accent. Across 1 Discharge of alien not a long time imprisoned (5) 4 Most bell-like silken quavers pervading songbird (9) 10 Have sansei stirring sauces (10) 11 Meeting HM
FILM FANS (18) will know that numbers in the problem are linked to film titles: Seven BRIDES (1D) for Seven BROTHERS (22); The Four FEATHERS (5A); 12 ANGRY MEN (37/35); Five EASY PIECES (11/42). 7 x ([4 x 12] – 5) x 7 = 2107, the number of the CROSSWORD (19). First prize Katy Berry,
Unclued lights could be resorted to form eight of a kind. Across 6 Here and there scratch top NCO round stomach (6) 11 Half note maidenly shape within a type of sheath (10) 13 Image of a German holding digging stick (5) 14 Centres with smogs district medical officer visits (8) 16 Staff in
The quotation is 16/28/10/2/23, from The Rape of the Lock by POPE (highlighted). Remaining unclued lights each start with a word for a hairstyle: 6A AFRONT, 27D CROPPER, 30D PERMIT, 35A BOBA. First prize Alan West, Bolton Runners-up Barry Roe, Wigston, Leicester; Keith Norcott, Warden Hill, Cheltenham
18 (two words) will know that where ‘Q’ = ‘the number of’: Q1D x ([Q5A x Q37/35] – Q11/42) x Q22 = Q the 19. Elsewhere, ignore four accents. Across 1 Glitches involving a thousand aircraft (6) 10 Relationship of rhino and fox with earache, gent treated (14, three words) 13 Mysteries of anonymous
The song was ‘MY HEART BELONGS TO DADDY’ (4D/18/13) (Cole Porter). A word for ‘father’ is the centre of four unclued lights: E[POP]T (1A), MIS[GOV]ERN (4A), SU[PERE]GO (22) and SKE[DAD]DLE (40). COLE (35) and PORTER (3) were to be shaded. First prize Joan Kendall, Thundridge, Ware, Herts Runners-up Mrs Jane Smith, Beeston, King’s Lynn,
Unclued across lights combine with down ones to form anagrams of four works (one of four words, one of three and two of two) from the same nd. Elsewhere, ignore an accent. Across 7 Shaman’s inexpert (3) 11 Mary Jane hugs arriving amazon? (6) 13 Withdraw from dramatist, being cause of misery (7) 15
Four unclued lights might justly sing ‘4D/18/13’ (five words in total). A relevant pair of clued lights must be shaded. Across 10 European secretes strange smeary enzyme (10) 11 Botanical description half recorded by child (6) 12 Big browser nibbled wood sorrel for pudding (7) 14 Welshman that is backing Nauru (5) 15
The unclued lights are alcoholic drinks, and thus might be included, if one was getting a round in. First prize David Heath, Elston, Newark Runners-up Mrs J. Vernalls, Thame, Oxfordshire; David Jenkinson, Matlock, Derbyshire
2A, 118, 1 and 19 (three of five words and one of three, ignore two apostrophes) are of a kind. The first word of a further example sounds like what is defined by both 53 and 8/92; 39, 72 and 110 may each precede its second word; its third is associated with 75, 95/54D and
HAL DAVID (15) and ANDY WILLIAMS (12/19) died on the 1st and 25th September 2012. The former produced the LYRICS (29) of the OSCAR (4)-winning song ‘RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN’ ON MY HEAD’ (1A/18/39), while the latter made a successful ALBUM (33) of the same name. First prize Christopher Bull, Fleet, Hampshire Runners-up Jason James, Cambridge;
In September sadly we lost 15 (two words) and 12/19. The former produced the 29 of the 4-winning ‘1A/18/39’ (six words in all) while the latter made a successful 33 of the same name. Ignore an apostrophe. Across 9 Woman hates me bareheaded? (4) 11 Sow in-house pig-men finally devoured (10) 14 Love goddess
HIEROSOLYMITAN (1D) means ‘of or relating to Jerusalem’. 15, 18, 27, 35A, 38, 5 and 12 may all be preceded by the word ‘Jerusalem’. Title: cf. ‘Jerusalem the golden’ (hymn) First prize Catherine Stekly, Fowlmere, Royston, Herts Runners-up Alexia Dobbs, London SW1; Ben Stephenson, London SW12
Seven 1D lights are unclued. Across 1 Carnivore longing to enter Gordon’s dining room (5) 6 Female musical figure is King’s deputy (7) 11 Constancy of a husband from this place in Bow? (10) 13 Sapless sex maniac peppered couscous? Not so (9) 16 Poem from Turkey Eliot translated (7) 17 Dutch uncle in Australia
The perimeter quotation is the opening couplet of Marvell’s ‘To His Coy Mistress’. Remaining unclued lights in order 12A, 17A, 35A, 38A, 22D are anagrams of ‘Time’s wingèd chariot drawing near’. First prize Rhidian Llewellyn, Minchinhampton, Glos Runners-up Kenneth M. Robb, Linlithgow, West Lothian; Dr Simon Shaw, Goosnargh, Lincs
Each of five unclued lights (one hyphened) must be 28 in a 2 way. Across 1 Naked German cuts elbow (5) 9 Fresh treatment of sick darling hen (10) 11 Chap twisted limb batting (5) 12 City in ravine colonel captured (7) 14 Dance with athletic Zulu round Lithuania (5) 15 Coed developed constant signal
