The initial letter of all 24 Across solutions (whether clued or unclued), when read in clue order, reveal six examples of a quartet. Their significance is explained by the unclued lights when arranged in the correct order, with an apostrophe included. Across 5 Intimate talk that covers tea-pot and Minet (4,4) 9 Long-term jobs for support workers out East (7) 10 Irish waters, look! So horrible!
In February, a noted 1A, 6A and 36A left us. His name (two words) is an anagram of 23A/7D (both real words). 39A and 21D/17D cryptically suggest the titles (one of six words, the other of two words) of two of his best known works.
The unclued lights (two of two words) can be arranged to form the first line of a poem and the name of the poet. Across 1 One reprimanded over nothing is kept apart (8) 6 Chinese way of brewing clear tea with miso (6) 13 Rows hard cycling (5) 14 Medic’s misfortune in morning – a blockage (7) 15 Potentially crossed in game; Jenga club will crumble at last! (10) 16 Extra spicy fajitas for starter?
The unclued lights (two of one word and the remainder consisting of two separate components) can be arranged into two similar sequences.
Seven circles appear in the circuit next to the outer one. Their place is shown in the innermost one (6,4). Radial lights, all (6) except where indicated, read from rim to centre or vice versa, 20 of each.
The 23D 41A, stirred up by 3D and 6A 26D the mother of 29A. Unclued lights identify the protagonist and the poet. Elsewhere ignore an accent. Across 1 Pitman facing very active idol? (7)11 One central to wrong education, is pressed (6)12 Go with new dance – it’s done!
The unclued lights, (which include two paired words, and three of two words, one of which is not listed in Chambers, and two hyphened), bear a common feature, different in each case, and 13 and 41 are even more so! Across 4 It’s a pain to us Brits!
Together, three unclued entries (two of two words) cryptically explain the three other unclued pairs. Solvers must highlight the single clued entry that could provide a further thematic example. Across 1 The power to command text excited umpire (8)6 Draws out English and Italian leaders (6)13 Room at the top for Greek (5)14 Maker of bargains, baronet meets King and Queen (8)17 Long-suffering hospital case? (7)18 I lead thunderous applause initially following organ suite (7)19 Fluid measure requires more ether possibly (9)23 Encroachment into Anchorage (6)30 More than one building muscles on inside of legs regularly (9)32 Fast cars stolen by Poles?
Solvers should highlight the 1D and 13A forms of the 6A 37A in the completed grid, thereby both filling in the otherwise-isolated squares and explaining the significance of the title. Across 1 Piece of music about animal caught in railway carriage (6) 11 Angelic hordes holding divine flower? (5) 12 Anarchic unit in Ambridge exhausted BBC (6) 14 Moon rocket fooled maestri (7) 16 Stars forgetting lines in Bodleian?
There is a total of 12 unclued lights in this puzzle, six appearing singly as normal, with the other six appearing as a duo in three longer solutions, and five of them are associated with 20. All are verified in Chambers.
The unclued lights are linked to the title, two using the same thematic content. Across 11 Search volunteer army among workers’ opponents (10) 13 Omitting king from good book stupefies (5) 14 Sails outdo symbol of the working class? (5,3) 17 Entice fish back to the sheltered side (7) 18 More equine shows after removing a problematic presenter initially from Repair Shop broadcast (7) 19 Clearly demonstrating event is so misplaced (9) 22 Ate fish with head removed (3) 23 Soldiers’ garrulous talk heading for MOD release?
‘1A/36A/1D/4D’ (five words in total) is an extract from a song about the escape of 21D/15D (three words in total). Remaining unclued lights tell when and whence the escape occurred.
The unclued lights can be arranged to form an unbroken chain with the last three letters of one word becoming the first three of the next one.
The unclued lights are of a kind.
The unclued lights are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer. Across 5 Parodies reflecting works of Shakespeare primarily (6) 9 A fishy character found the lady’s not hard to gauge (10) 16 Briefly research arm’s length trade on Vinted?
The unclued lights (one of three words), individually or as three pairs and a trio) are of a kind, one doing double duty, and all but one are from the same source. Ignore any possible definite article and one apostrophe. Across 1 African fox regularly takes fish to intrude on territory (8) 6 Stir former partner with call (6) 11 Publican with a decorative plant (5) 13 Gulpers out on a spending spree (7) 14 OT patriarch points to taxes (6) 17 Islander giving small book to another (8) 21 Feet ends pose problems!
Eight unclued entries (three of two words) possess a property implied by the title’s other title. Across 8 King stops silly plan (5)13 Hindu retreat remains half-packed (6)15 In favour of 60% spirit strength? (3)16 Old committee in power demurs, failing India twice (9)18 Elise rejected old vinegar (5)19 Mostly annoyed by introduction of tacky casual wear (1-5)20 Kind people from Ukraine first in discomfort (7)21 Packs of big cats injured two thirds of 9D (6)25 Regularly roughened curve (4)26 Society promised new germinating cells (9)27 Blockage in turbo sent for repair?
The unclued lights (four of three words) provide a literary quotation, its speaker and its author.
The unclued lights (two of two words and two hyphened) are of a kind and all are listed somewhere in Chambers 13th edition. Across 11 A learner with rheum oozing from the shoulder (7) 13 Clear thinking here rebuilding terminal by Dover with deliveries cancelled (5,4) 14 Switch sides of black sword (5) 16 Many craft, seaborne, included (5) 19 Shakespearean character returned as seductive woman (7) 21 W.G.
Eight unclued lights, two of which consist of two words, are of a kind.
