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
The PROVERB (35) (in ODQ), associated with the KENNEDY (19) FAMILY (31), was ‘A rising tide lifts all boats’. EDIT (36) is ‘A rising tide’. WORT (9), POOLS (15D), BUT (21D), GUT (26) and LEEK (39) are ‘lifted’ boats. EDIT was to be shaded. First prize V. Kendall, Ware, Herts Runners-up Geoffrey Telfer, Shipley, W.
‘THE OLD ORDER CHANGETH YIELDING PLACE TO NEW’, from Tennyson’s IDYLLS OF THE KING, suggests the outcome of ANAGRAMMATISM (2). ALFRED LORD TENNYSON is an anagram of 9/20/22/38. Title: anagram of THE OLD ORDER. First prize Michael Smith, Aldershot, Hants Runners-up Dr J.A. McClellan, Portsmouth, Hants; A.C.R. Bull, Canterbury, Kent
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
The unclued lights (including one of three words, one of two words, and one hyphened) form two thematic groups in the grid. They consist of a theme word, four lights which it defines in one sense, and three which it defines in another. A fourth example of this latter group, part of an unclued light,
Seven unclued lights are ANAGRAMS (23) of numbers. 2 (7A) + 11 (17) + 10 (40) + 16 (5) + 18 (6) + 3 (31) = 60 (36). First prize Jack Shonfield, Child Okeford, Dorset Runners-up Michael Ollerenshaw, Bowdon, Cheshire; M. Purdie, Cupar, Fife
The MUSICIAN (21), Rod Stewart CBE (25A), was born LXX (16) years ago on 10th January 1945. The associated works were MAGGIE MAY, EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY, SAILING and GASOLINE ALLEY. ROD (27), STEW (17) and ART (23) were to be shaded. First prize Mrs R.J.C. Shapland, Ilkeston, Derbyshire Runners-up Dr J.
Round the perimeter clockwise goes a place (6) followed by a description of it (10 words, one hyphened) by one of the unclued lights (two words). This description appears in its original language and can be confirmed in its full form in the ODQ. Remaining unclued lights, singly or combined, present five thematic objects which
The ten unclued lights consist of a theme word and three groups of three answers of a kind, each group relating differently to the theme word. Unchecked and cross-checking letters in these answers could make TAX AUDITOR APPROVE. Across 1 Cuttingly, John dissects fancy style (8) 10 Escape with loot is dicey in
Unclued lights each contained a different TREY (20) from the alphabet: AFGHAN (24), CANOPY (27), DINGHIES (42), DABCHICK (1D), HYMNODY (5), KARSTIFY (6), ASTUTE (10), CALMNESS (26) and MADEFY (30D). The title suggested KLM. First prize Mrs R. Hales, Ilfracombe, Devon Runners-up E. Reuben, New Barnet, London;R. Hainsworth, Clapham, Lancaster
The unclued lights are connected by 33/23. One pair of unclued lights gives one context, in which two further pairs of unclued lights are followers of 33/23; remaining unclued lights, in another sense, are 33/23’s predecessors. Across 1 Nasty offer about shock treatment for responsive organ (8) 8 Rubber — a lump’s returned (4) 11
The four works were Waverley (anagram of 12/21), Kenilworth (15/8), The Talisman (29/2) and Ivanhoe (38/37) by SIR WALTER SCOTT (diagonally NW to SE) which was to be shaded. Title: anagram of Redgauntlet. First prize Roy Robinson, Sheffield Runners-up Sebastian Robinson, Glasgow; M.F. O’Brien, London N12
Somewhere next to GUYANA (34) and BRAZIL (12), DUTCH (33) is SPOKEN (25), the highest mountain is JULIANA TOP (1D), and the principal SYNAGOGUE (3) and MOSQUE (39) are alongside each other in PARAMARIBO (19) (the capital). ANEURISM (6), an anagram of SURINAME, was to be shaded. First prize Joyce Sleight, Steyning, West Sussex Runners-up
Six items of one kind, reading clockwise, form the perimeter, whilst four unclued lights are of another kind. All ten are in roughly appropriate positions. Solvers must highlight one clued solution which is an anagram of a word that could be added to the title to show what the grid represents. Across 9
If the grid were a TIMEPIECE (13/12), the six perimetric words (GRANITE, LIMESTONE, SERPENTINE, GREYWACKE, DALRADIAN and HORNFELS) might collectively suggest ‘Rock Around the Clock’, which song was RECORDED (22) SIXTY (19) years ago, on 12th April 1954, by Bill Haley & His Comets. HALEY (eighth row) was to be shaded. First prize David
Six unclued lights are 18 Down from the same source (five are entitled to appear; the sixth appears regularly). Six cells initially contain between two and six clashing letters; these must be resolved to display thematic 18. Elsewhere, ignore three accents and two apostrophes. Across 10 A Republican politician maintains British dealt
Three theme words which must be deduced each suggest three unclued lights (including one of two words and ignoring one definite article). The word which connects the three theme words must be highlighted in the completed grid. Unchecked and cross-checking letters in all unclued lights could spell: KOREANS CAN SOON LEARN. Across 1
The two words were BULL and BEAR. BULL is suggested by 36, 41, 6 and 10; BEAR by 34, 37, 1D and 5. First prize M. Purdie, Ceres, Cupar, Fife Runners-up Rhidian Llewellyn, Minchinhampton, Glos; Ben Stephenson, London SW12
Our hero must be revealed by shading six cells appropriately. Four unclued lights are key words in 11s featuring the hero. Remaining unclued lights (including one of three words) each need shading appropriately to produce four further 11s (minus definite articles), each one connected to one of the previous 11s. Unchecked and cross-checking letters in
The puzzle marked a DOUBLE TON (42/27) by DUMPYNOSE (11) in THE SPECTATOR (17/19). Remaining unclued lights suggest a DOUBLETON: two hearts (13 & 7), one diamond (1), one spade (6A) and one club (29). PLUCK (13) & SPIRIT (7) were to be shaded. First prize Elizabeth Feinberg, Carlsbad, CA, USA Runners-up Ian Shiels,
