Crossword

2420: Crafty

Four unclued lights are thematic and are defined by two others. They are found in The 21 and 2 (also the singular of a fifth unclued light). Another unclued light is partly thematic, yet another was a high officer, whilst a final pair show status. One clued light is an abbreviation.   Across 11    Thankless daughter that’s broken up loves and leaves for season (7) 12    Biblical character with pain in both hands (6) 13    Carpet has nap woven round edge, all in scarlet (9) 14    Fantasy – in short, ecstasy (5) 16    Despots – Middle Eastern – contract lung infection (5) 19    Type of movie with lots of drawings?

2419: Figures in place

The unclued lights (individually or one pair) are of a kind. But, before entry into the grid, all but one has to be adapted figuratively speaking, so that one or two characters appear in an unchecked square.

2418: Sweet

Unclued lights are of a kind, including one of two words, all listed in Chambers or Oxford (the required spelling of 12 across is given by both dictionaries). One clued light can be rearranged to form a possible two-word description of each unclued light and must be highlighted.

2417: Six Nations

One of the unclued entries (two words) can be followed by each of the others (two of three words, one of two words), according to Brewer.   Across 1    Clean turns into crashes – rash? (8) 8    What goes up, to go down like a lead balloon?

2416: Silence

The unclued lights share a common feature at least once, different in each case.   Across 7    Liechtenstein test about roses and orchids, say (6) 13    Dot’s second kiss (5) 14    Paragons left out for plans (5) 15    Shave with iodine in Eastern part of China (7) 17    Right to hold gun overturned? Confirmation’s needed (7) 18    Five hundred flourishing trees. Not here, surely?

2415: The limit

1A (hyphened) suggests a word which, with changes to its 7D 33, becomes the four other words (including a name) suggested by the remaining unclued lights (including a pair). The word will appear in the completed grid and must be shaded.

2414: Matchplay

Seven unclued entries had the same relationship to an eighth (appearing as the two other unclued lights).   Across 1    Tease females after tea (5) 9    Misrepresentation of man in notes from St Paul?

2413: Sign here please

The unclued lights are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer.   Across 11    Oil-well cap adjusted as ornamentation (10, two words) 13    Some entertainer, dynamic, but socially inept (5) 14    Horseman’s additional clause (5) 15    Half-scores I have in short are nerve-racking (7) 18    Wicket that is most unplayable for a batsman? (6) 19    Jack’s heard something in church (4) 22    Len rummaged in the locker with gusto (6) 24    O, Gorblimi — it’s a mess — it’s a tangle (9) 25    Cross beams?

2412: Transponders

It is the centenary of a daring feat. Unclued lights (two of two words) include two surnames, two locations (two pairs) and the aptly positioned name of a key item (a pair). Ignore an apostrophe.   Across 1    Matronage almost outraged Lily (8) 6    Appear briefly and go quietly (4) 12    Toolmaker out of Alaska playing musical device (7) 14    Pot of water bishop dropped (3) 15    Who’s there in support keeping goal?

2411: Left out

Clues for ten thematically linked entries (all single words) have been left out.   Across 9    Hot-rod awry? — fancy not being this (10) 14    Jackass regularly rejected 60s music (3) 18    Behind in award, finally going ahead (5) 20    Get better poet to enter competition (7, two words) 22    Venture around the City, not much of an area (7) 24    Extremely engaging men in ladies’ underwear — crikey! (7) 25    Worries about ship holding water capsizing (5) 26    Fight animals back, avoiding river (5, hyphened) 28    Enduring a lot of cobblers?

2410: Alphabetical jigsaw

Clues are presented in strict alphabetical order of their solutions. Solvers have to assign the solutions to their correct places in the grid jigsaw-fashion.

2409: Crosswords

The unclued lights are of a kind, including one hyphened, all confirmed in Chambers except for 8 across, which is in Collins. Elsewhere, ignore two accents.

2408: End of the line

Unclued lights name a man born on 18 May; his position; his son; and (singly or correctly paired, two of two words) some of his predecessors. One unclued light does double duty.

2407: Stickmen

The unclued lights, four of two words, individually or as a pair, are of a kind.   Across 11    After hint turned up, end of match had leftist outwitted (7) 12    Problem with French name turning page (6) 13    January not starting pleasant round island — likely to be soaked?  (9, three words) 14    Break-time first — that’s the general drift! (5) 16    Light-hearted joking when taking tea with F-Fawley (5) 19    Data emerged; half rejected.

2406: Heptad

Clockwise round the grid from 6 run the names (9,5,7,6,8,7,8) of the leading members of a group. The unchecked and corner letters could make SILVER INVENTORS RUN AROUND and 18 is an anagram of the group’s name (two words). An English version of the name (two words) the group gave to a seminal work will appear diagonally in the completed grid and must be shaded. Ignore one accent.   Across 9    Stunner somersaults with worried screech (7) 10    Work encapsulating dry painter’s charm (7) 11    Dancing display (skipping tango, of course) (4) 13    Letter to the Hebrews in honour of religion (6) 15    Enzyme with round shape? No chance!

2405: Satanic

Doc writes: welcome to Smurf as our third new compiler joining our team.   One unclued light, the heart of which is of essence, is linked with eight other unclued lights, verifiable in Brewer. Two further unclued lights are appositely characteristic. One other light is abbreviated. Ignore an apostrophe.   Across 4    No can do?

2404: 1+2 = 3+4

The unclued lights (one of two words) share a feature, different in each case, and one is a past participle. One of the clued solutions shares this feature but is not as long and should be highlighted. One other solution is an acronym.

2403: Hexad

The second and fourth letters of six unclued lights (defined by surplus single words in six clues) form a set whose name is cryptically suggested by the remaining pair.   Across 1    Acknowledged 500 vatu due (6) 5    Raptors seek rats chandler set free (8) 10    Seabird collecting books about one UK fleet? No way! (14, four words) 11    Fellow has our love (4) 16    Poet’s winter?

2401: Sign here please

The unclued lights are of a kind and all have to be ignored in the completed grid.   Across 1    Fortune-teller worried small company chairmen. Right! (11) 7    Party goer often over the clutch (3) 11    Spike, I look anaemic! (6) 13    Prize stone cut with edge of blade (7) 15    Become liable to back police force and its patch (5) 18    Similar to a story about Bartok’s finale (5) 20    Outline is almost correct (6) 21    Sleep on board – records on film? (5) 22    About one, delivers a flower (7) 29    European birds in the housetops?