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.
Four unclued lights (two of which consist of two words each) belong in the same category; one unclued light defines them. Remaining unclued lights are the surnames of their creators. Each of twenty-seven clues comprises a definition part and a hidden consecutive jumble of the answer including one extra letter; the extras are the unchecked letters of all nine unclued lights. Elsewhere ignore an accent.
The unclued lights (two of two words), individually or as pairs, are of a kind. Elsewhere, ignore one accent. Across 9 Aromatic fragrance from front half of royal residence (4) 11 How embroiderers’ work fell apart — without any trouble (10) 12 The best spinners? (4) 16 Loved one short moment in the air, almost (5) 20 The first way to acknowledge on paper?
29 6 (4 words) is 1 24 (3 words). 24 11 10 (4 words), but 6 11 36 (4 words). Across 3 Secret compartments disguised in most of tables (12, two words) 12 Card game with same elements as brag (4) 14 Prohibit female and male from looking on the dark side (6) 15 Work in three successive notes for tropical protection (8, two words) 17 Bear began to strip identical parts off tree (5) 19 Issuing a term recalled by politician (9) 21 After start of solo, Carmen heartlessly re-created this? (5) 23 Exploiting our party in Government (5) 25 Do harvest from famous playing fields?
One unclued light (hyphened) is a 38 of a word hidden in the grid. Two unclued lights are definitions of the hidden word, which is also the surname of a former 11 of 25 (two words), whose first name is an unclued light. The hidden word and its 38 — both starting in an appropriate square, and together forming a 38 relevant to the puzzle — must be highlighted.
The unclued lights are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer. Elsewhere, ignore two accents.
Unclued lights (two hyphened) are words (all but one of which are in ODQ) from a poem whose title appears in the completed grid. Two clued lights combine to give the poet’s surname and must be shaded. Across 1 Brass hat beginning to eat brassica (4) 9 Gem from ring put on partner (4) 11 Break commandment, shattering true ideals (10) 13 Mademoiselle’s protest (4) 15 Clouds covering Dutch centres (6) 17 City guides in conversation (5) 18 Frost’s poems?
Unclued lights (one of three words) are of a kind, as suggested by the title. Across 7 Mostly stern examination (3) 11 African’s body to rest briefly (6) 13 One fitted into more extensive counter (7) 15 Entice to enter round dance (5) 16 Having only a small Kazakh coin, couldn’t visit restaurant?
The unclued lights (two of three words and two of two words) can be preceded by the same word and all are defined in Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable.
Unclued lights (one hyphened) are words from a poem whose subject appears in the completed grid. A clued light is an anagram of the poet’s name and must be shaded. Elsewhere, ignore an accent.
Two clues are without definitions; their answers form the name of a person with a leading part in four works whose titles read clockwise round the perimeter. The title of another work involving the person, concealed in one row, must be highlighted. Letters in corner squares and those adjacent to them could make A FAB FIERY FAD. Two titles consist of three words each, and two consist of two words each; ignore an apostrophe.
The unclued lights (one hyphened and another a novel which is listed in Chambers Crossword Dictionary) display a similar feature — a few of the clued solutions do so too, though to a lesser extent. Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe. Across 1 Slim, young, lithe person – hot! Just tops!
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?
A phrase, formed by four unclued lights, incorporates a definition of the other unclued lights and an indication of the way in which they are entered. Two unclued lights are hyphened.
The unclued Across lights (Individually or as a pair) are defined by the unclued Down lights (individually or as a pair). Across 1 Consistent growth, as an unflappable batsman?
Clockwise round the grid from 37 runs a quotation plus its source (3,3,5,8,8,5,2,3,6,2,3,4) suggesting the outcome of 2. Remaining unclued lights, combined and subjected to 2, identify the author (three words). Elsewhere, ignore an accent.
Four unclued lights can be arranged to form an eight-word excerpt from a quotation (in ODQ). One of these lights provides a cryptic indication of each of the other unclued lights. Each of thirteen clues comprises a definition and a hidden consecutive jumble of the answer including one extra letter; the extras spell the name of the person responsible for the quotation.
The unclued lights (two of two words) are to be linked with one of the clued lights in translation. All resulting phrases, one doubly hyphened, can be confirmed in Chambers or Brewer. Across 1 Roots out – the meal is ready (7, two words) 6 Hood cleans out, applying pressure (7, two words) 11 Some dark colcothar returned on the hour (6) 12 Out east, they played with girl – and no mistake (7) 16 Move rapidly and tread lightly to start with, when jogging (6) 17 Drink with these trifles! (6) 19 Angry moments … as they are?
Two words form the name of a fictional 28, described by his creator as a ‘22A/31/26’. Remaining across unclued lights are associated with the first word and down ones with the second. Elsewhere, ignore an accent.
In six answers the wordplay ignores an item. These items (two of them identical) are not listed as specific 27 of 22 in Chambers, unlike the other unclued entries. Across 1 Extra thin pins cleaned up with this? (5) 6 One that’ll teach you a measure of warmth (8) 12 Hopes dashed with 31 restaurants (10, hyphened) 13 Horse runs into different one (9) 14 Allan Wells, perhaps, absent from racetrack? (4) 15 Censor adjusted EastEnders, essentially as seen on TV (8, hyphened) 16 Stick holds sack, calculating its volume?
