Crossword

2709: Our set

The unclued lights are of a kind. One of them consists of two separate theme-words juxta-posed: one is of two words and two have to be paired. The letters in the red squares spell another theme-word and the letters in the yellowsquares can be arranged to form yet another (two-word) theme word. Across 1 Realise

2708: On the shelf

Two of the eight unclued entries, appropriately placed, were likened to two others by a name hidden in the grid. The other four unclued entries are thematic. Unchecked letters could be arranged to spell ‘NO VAIN OAP MISBELIEVER, HIM’. Across 1 Treated ATMs etc like cash cows (4,7) 7 Tailless parasite twitching (3) 13   In

2707: Get-together

Twelve unclued entries can form six new words (not in the grid) Across 4 Each Chrome browser’s opening changes online site for self-validation? (4,7) 12    No charge for these new dancing routines (9) 13    Goblin at last living in tree trunk (5) 14    Cover turned over, novel is Catch-22? (7) 15    Observe small branch (4)

2706: Pitched

The unclued lights, all but one being two or more words and some could include a hyphen, are of a kind. Across 6 Powers which followed BL in Texas (6) 12    Loathed nerd having left one-armed bandit damaged (10) 13    Blackwood, bridge player, rather gaunt (5) 15    Graham is on manoeuvres with NZ crime writer

2705: Thirty sevens

The unclued lights have an award-winning feature in common. Across 5 Webcam perhaps covering temporary accommodation (6) 10  With Head absent, our teachers brewed liqueur (10) 12  Start to grumble and show contempt, returning cabbage and sprouts (6) 16  Virginia starts to gripe about loss of nerve (5) 17  French film-maker returns in time to

2704: Lookalikes

Three pairs of unclued lights suggest three four-letter words which share the same last three letters but together form 40A-25D only. Solvers must shade the clued light that contains those three letters. Across 11    Lady also studied endlessly (6) 13    Cat televised a medic on board fishing boat (7) 15    Deed of

2703: Eeeesy does it

The unclued lights share a common feature, while two trios from among the clued Down solutions do so to a lesser extent. Ignore an acute accent. Across 1 Give confidence when not at sea, reportedly (6) 7 Tolerated, having cut through undergrowth and fouled (6) 13    River horse, so to speak (5) 16    County not

2702: Some beef

Nine unclued lights form three triplets, each related in a different way to the tenth. Across 1    Cartoonist has formerly captivated Spain (5) 10    Swayed and quit, sick in the stomach (10) 14    Handles fine fish (5) 15    Have a few days at skate park (5) 16    As support, use skinny leg (4,2) 20    Dancer

2701: Mix and Match

Solvers may find it helpful to Mix and Match the 12 unclued entries. Across 12    Wild West films rate so badly (6) 13    Head over after a 1960s/70s space programme (6) 14    Nucleus of eruption in jail occupying volunteer officers at first (7) 17    Shed set back on eastern end of The Oval (7) 18   

2700: Tracking far north

The unclued lights are of a kind on line. Across 4 PC and Noddy seen in trouble. This is so sad (11) 13    Hospital employees tell stories (9) 14    Grand test for Himalayan goat (5) 19    Curious way to row (7) 23    Keys to Welsh steam engine that is small (7) 24    Unfinished detailed examination

2699: Summer Dresses II

Unclued lights, singly or correctly paired, are of a kind.  One light does double duty. Across 1    Son becomes aware of cutter (6) 5    One who digests fish first (6) 10    Ancient Briton’s edged axe (4) 11    I don’t approve of expert? It’s possible (10) 15    Deck sport when turning round river (5) 17    County

2698: Au pairs

Fourteen unclued lights comprise seven pairs. Across 7 Looked for nothing when leader makes a U-turn? (6) 12    Medical instruments deal with something breaking old cast (9) 13    Maybe Queen’s speech is without purpose, on reflection (5) 15    Shot bird left, eaten by parasite (9) 16    Twins, perhaps extremely amoral, notable (6) 21    European dictionary

2697: Futile felines

Nine unclued lights (with one doing double duty) can be arranged into a possible quiz show announcement with the word lengths: 2,4,3,7,6,3,7,7,2,4,2,4,4,2,4,5. The three remaining unclued lights are possible answers. Elsewhere, ignore one accent. Across 4 Democracies do wrong without desserts (3,6) 9 English artist having month involved with 38 (6,4) 11    Evaluate report for

2696: It’s better up north!

The unclued lights are of a kind. Across 12    Sun ruined helter-skelter without cover (9) 13    Lizard found in Wagamama! (5) 15    Screen role I transformed into (9) 16    Rabbit’s discovered in delay at terminus (6) 20    Quietly thatched house and made watertight (7) 21    Oddly, his leg is pulled by Cupid! (6) 22    Location

2695: Struck hard

A word can be prefixed by six unclued lights so as to form new words (including two place names). 9D is a pertinent piece of poetry (five words). Solvers must shade the appropriate unclued light. Across 1 Pepper makes host back off (5) 6 Butterfly and weathercock fool about (7) 11    Small fly buzzing

2694: Arc lights

The unclued lights, including a pair and six of two words, form an association which a normal entry clearly suggests. Across 11    Icons reconstructed with excellent backing and capital (7) 12    Scottish author wants hedge trimmed at one end (6) 13    Scottish bird sports new supporting items on the way in (9) 14    Falls off

2693: Summer dresses

Unclued lights (two of two words) refer to works in the same genre by a closely associated pair. Across 1 In store, old copper pipe (8) 7 Moves swiftly, caught in foam (5) 12    Woman claimed win after slimming (6) 16    Evidence of wound almost frightening (4) 17    Scots fabric, affectedly pretty line (5) 18   

2692: Flexibility

We welcome the duo called Madrigal to the compiling team this week. The unclued lights (including four of two words) can be arranged to provide a quotation (in ODQ) and its author. Across 10    Learn of American through grammar school covers (6,4) 12    African country’s note covering one rule (6) 13    First-rate head polled children

2691: Very large fellow

The title wrote three unclued lights (one of two words) with the letter-count (3,8,6,4), whose members are the other unclued lights (two pairs, another of two words and a singleton). Solvers must highlight the singleton’s missing moniker hidden in the completed grid. Across 11    Half the beans initially seem superfluous accompanying hot paste with chillis

2690: Resignation

A quotation (in the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations) runs clockwise around the perimeter of the grid, beginning with the last letter of 20. The apostrophe has to be included where it appears. Five unclued lights are of a kind; one is directly linked to the quotation, the others indirectly. Across 9 Dangerous atmosphere in outskirts of