Four of the unclued lights (one of two words) and an unclued pair are of a kind, and can become the remaining unclued lights, including a pair. Across 1 This song of praise would become heathen with a change of note (5) 6 Failure of old skinflint at university (7, hyphened) 11 Catlike print he has developed (10) 17 Tramp’s symbol (7) 18 Tolkien creature at hospital?
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, must be highlighted. Ignore one apostrophe.
In nine clues, cryptic indications omit reference to parts of answers; these parts must be highlighted, to reveal a definition applicable to each of the five members of the perimeter cordon, reading clockwise, and two unclued lights. Letters in corner squares and those adjacent to them could make TEAM NEAR GAPS. Two of the perimeter’s occupants are hyphened, one doubly so. Across 11 Whip stopped receiving resistance (5) 12 Hateful person answering poster?
The unclued lights are of a kind; the ones Across are one theme, and those Down (one of two words) on another related theme. Solvers must highlight another ‘Down’ theme-word hidden diagonally in the final grid. Across 1 Patching tatty topper for bed (8) 12 Triumphant delight returning pie to roofless depot (10) 14 Mad sex rejected in country out East (7) 15 Make tactical plans of restoration of great sites (10) 16 Burrowing creature and friends of Mr Toad?
Seven unclued lights (one hyphened) are 23: 7A + 17 + 40 + 5 + 6 + 31 = 36. Ignore one accent. Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe and two accents. Across 1 Half per cent off haircut (11, two words) 11 Girl crafty in conversation (6) 13 Lunatic ran through crazy Swiss town (7) 15 Stop charging about part of church (5) 16 Scots ask gentleman about Peru (5) 18 Friendly earl cuddled priest’s daughter (5) 20 Yarn one from Paisley spins in recurring patterns (6) 21 Sack or Martini?
In each of eleven clues there is an added letter in the definition part. These letters, in clue order, spell two words, each of which is a definition of an unclued light. The lights in question, as synonymous terms, indicate the way in which the other unclued lights are supplied. Two unclued lights consist of two words each.
The unclued Down lights (individually or as a pair) are of a kind in short, as are the unclued Across lights (one of two words) all paired. In short together, they reveal the title of this puzzle. Across 1 Chap on a demo who is on the boundary (8) 10 Exaggerated details from the needlewoman? (12) 11 Homes of housemistresses (5) 16 Thameslink’s reflection of German girl (4) 17 W.G.
Fourteen solutions begin with the same letter as their clues. These letters in order are the initial letters of the twelve words of a 2014 quotation and the two initials of its author. The unclued lights reveal this quotation in full and the author’s name. Across 1 This reflex conceals what ends up making sense (5) 4 Chief of Staff was holding a staff lacking coloured symbols (9) 11 I present pupil with close to perfect score (5) 14 Double crossing Romeo mixed substance (5) 15 Musical has no use for song (5) 16 Try admitting sport is most honourable (6) 21 Sari when recycled? (8) 22 Alternative name used amongst islands?
Each of sixteen clues contains one misprinted letter in the definition part. Corrections of misprints spell the name (three words) of a 1A, contents of which are given by five unclued lights (including two as a pair). The 1A’s name also describes the location in the grid of its contents in relation to two other unclued lights.
Chambers 2014 is certainly not recommended this week theme-wise! But Chambers 2011 is.
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 are to be highlighted. Ignore three accents.
Each clue contains a superfluous word. When these words are put in sequence according to alphabetical order of answers to clues, initial letters of thirty-three of them spell two 4D made famous by a certain person. Remaining words in the sequence form another of the 4D used by the person in question. The first of the 4D (three words) describes the unclued contents of two columns; the second (four words) forms an indication of an unclued light, a definition of which is supplied by another unclued light. The person’s name, in two rows, should be highlighted. Across 1 Oust inspector after evil language (5) 4 Cloth cut about right?
The unclued lights (one of three words and two of two words), individually or as a pair, are of a kind. Across 5 Bit of tiffin is hardly perfect (6) 12 Fail to see active service (5) 13 Waistcoat cloth that’s not in ablutions (8) 16 Beer mug in set cracked (5) 17 Mourns for old sheriffs (7) 18 Additionally suggest Tory memo (7) 20 Civic dignitary, a lord, with topless Berliner, say (8) 26 Extra portion of lamb? Yes!
Clockwise round the grid from 31 run the titles of four works (6,3,5,7,5.1,5,7,8,5) associated with a 21 and 25A born 16 years ago. The twenty corner letters produce LIVELY ELEMENTAL ARIAS. Solvers must shade the three clued lights that combine to form the 21’s name (two words). Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe and two accents. Across 8 Mirage, maybe of river, taking one in (5) 9 Ring from small belfry?
Eight unclued lights are of a kind; as is, fancifully, the ninth. Across 6 Hurry up to fill space with one big cup (6) 12 Ape, given exercise to open fish, discarded skin (10, two words) 13 I agree Spain is rarely pleasant (5) 15 Unable to move furniture?
A first prize of £100, three prizes of £25 and six further prizes of the Chambers Book of Great Speeches (hardback) will be awarded for the first correct solutions opened. The first four prizewinners will, in addition, each receive a bottle of champagne. Entries to: Christmas Crossword, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP by 12 January. Part 1: CAROL SINGING The four 13-letter lights in each grid are paired together (always reading from the left-hand grid to the right-hand grid) to yield four quotations from three different Christmas carols and one seasonal song. Each clue is an anagram of its 26-letter solution.
The other unclued entries, in pairs around 3D, provide the key words in a definition of 11D. Across 1 Nouns hidden in secret and manuscript sentences (8) 10 Sea beast who I’ll tape somehow (10, two words) 13 Goat starts to gnaw at one fish (8) 16 ‘Nameless’ ‘noodle’ could be ‘oodle’? (5) 17 Put into Debrett’s, having been no Lord to begin with sadly (7) 18 Where nun is to occupy (7) 20 Neat cube, square down under (8, two words) 25 Brazil won regularly here? (3) 26 I propose nothing for holding referee back (7) 28 Upset how big-headed someone is?
‘1D/19’ (six words in total) is a work by 18/13. Remaining unclued lights form two pairs suggested by 13.
One unclued light is the name of a 15A activity requiring the 4A of three things. Answers to clues in italics must be treated before entry in the grid in such a way as to fulfil this requirement. Definitions of the resulting entries are supplied by the remaining unclued lights, one of which is hyphened.
Each unclued light is somehow related to a clued one. Elsewhere, ignore an acute accent. Across 4 Clone 33 recreating the Crocodile (11, two words) 11 Athlete taking Scottish miser to freemason’s son (9, two words) 13 Danger cut — touching heartless pedestrian (11) 14 Kiss nag (4) 15 Sound of pleasure having rock and heroin (3) 19 Distant mountains with stone (7) 22 Upshot of what is in salt, in France (6) 23 Restrained. Yes!
