It’s tempting to say that no horses were startled in the solving of this puzzle, but perhaps that comes down to experience. As usual there are some clever tricks in play and often it’s just a matter of whether you’ve encountered those tricks before. And remembered them!
In any case I think we can safely say it’s an obscurity-free zone. And almost an anagram-free zone, with only two on display. Most of the clues are of the “A + B” or “A into B” variety. Presumably that suits some solvers more than others.
4:39 for me today, and no Parkrun time due to a preference for staying in bed. I know, I know. Next week I promise.
Here’s how I parsed today’s puzzle. Would be delighted to hear how you found it so please leave a comment.
(In the clues, definitions are underlined and anagram indicators are in italics.
In the explanations (ABC)* indicates an anagram of abc. Deletions and other devices are indicated accordingly, I hope).
| Across | |
| 7 | Travel film ignoring India (4) |
| MOVE – MOV Drawing on the NATO phonetic alphabet for the I. |
|
| 8 | Ruined broadcast by one politician (8) |
| IMPAIRED – I (one) + MP (politician) + AIRED (broadcast) | |
| 9 | Pieces for chess champion in peril (6) |
| MENACE – MEN (pieces for chess) + ACE (champion) | |
| 10 | Bill to rent out computer (6) |
| TABLET – TAB (bill) + LET (rent out) | |
| 11 | Prevailing feeling is low key (4) |
| MOOD – MOO (low) + D (key)
Low as in what cattle do. One of the more fiendish clueing devices when you first encounter it. |
|
| 12 | During school period nine get together socially (8) |
| INTERMIX – IN TERM (during school period) + IX (nine) | |
| 15 | Paraffin oil reek — nose is perturbed (8) |
| KEROSENE – (REEK NOSE)*
I didn’t know what paraffin oil was. Google seems to suggest that kerosene is a North American term, but it’s certainly used in Australia. Usually rendered as “kero” of course. So UK solvers, did you go camping with a kerosene lamp or a paraffin lamp? (I say “did” because it’s presumably all LEDs now). |
|
| 17 | Colour of writing material on piano (4) |
| PINK – P (piano) + INK (writing material) | |
| 18 | In favour of suitable financial gain (6) |
| PROFIT – PRO (in favour of) + FIT (suitable) | |
| 21 | Verse from American writer — and essay (6) |
| POETRY – POE (American writer) + TRY (essay) | |
| 22 | Sleep after school, taking quiet second drink (8) |
| SCHNAPPS – SCH (school) + NAP (sleep) + P (quiet) + S (second)
I think we sampled some schnapps at the German wedding I attended last year. Don’t really remember for some reason. |
|
| 23 | Perfume on the air roused to ecstasy (4) |
| SENT – Homophone (“on the air”) of scent (perfume) | |
| Down | |
| 1 | Like some conclusions in favour of, say, an individual person (8) |
| FOREGONE – FOR (in favour of) + EG (say) + ONE (an individual person)
Slightly strange definition, but let’s be honest, when the adjective is “foregone” you know what’s coming next. |
|
| 2 | Communist holding chap to send back into custody (6) |
| REMAND – RED (communist) “holding” MAN (chap)
Is Crosswordland the only place where communists are still commonly referred to as reds? |
|
| 3 | Enjoy sage? Me too (8) |
| LIKEWISE – LIKE (enjoy) + WISE (sage) | |
| 4 | Be furious seeing gratuities raised (4) |
| SPIT – Reversal (raised) of TIPS (gratuities) | |
| 5 | Row about Doctor Wood (6) |
| TIMBER – TIER (row) about MB (doctor) | |
| 6 | Charge when entering Tories’ first charity event (4) |
| FETE – FEE (charge) when T (Tories’ first) is entered | |
| 13 | Enter unlawfully, inserting spring into lock (8) |
| TRESPASS – SPA (spring) in TRESS (lock) | |
| 14 | Lacking knowledge of Tir-nan-Og at sea (8) |
| IGNORANT – (TIR-NAN-OG)*
I was slightly bemused by the anagrist, but my research tells me it’s from Celtic folklore and refers to a rather delightful-sounding island. Would welcome an explanation from any Gaelic experts out there as to why it’s Tír na nÓg in Irish but Tír nan Óg in Scottish? Sounds dangerously similar to the Big Endian v Little Endian debate. |
|
| 16 | Rotten finish upset (6) |
| OFFEND – OFF (rotten) + END (finish) | |
| 17 | Place with comfort and charm (6) |
| PLEASE – PL (place) + EASE (comfort) | |
| 19 | Dress lacking fine diamond (4) |
| ROCK – |
|
| 20 | What might be seen in faulty poster? (4) |
| TYPO – Hidden (seen) in faulTY POster
A nice all-in-one to complete proceedings. |
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