This week’s puzzle breaks away from the traditional thematic puzzle. Instead, here is an alphabetical jigsaw for solvers to tackle. Clues are presented in strict alphabetical order of their solutions which begin with the letters indicated from A through to Z. Solvers have to assign each solution to its correct place in the grid.
1/44 (eight words in total) is part of a question (in ODQ) minus a word exemplified by the other unclued lights (one hyphened). The title suggests a further example (eight letters) which will appear diagonally in the grid and must be shaded. Across 11 Very good not quite excellent dish (4) 13 Awful prig with
One unclued light is the name of a drink which can be measured into three ingredients. Each ingredient has three definitions among the other unclued lights; unchecked letters of the nine lights in question are supplied by the puzzle’s title. Across 1 Changing tack, see, I perform on rink? (8, hyphened) 8 Total power in
The unclued lights, either individually or as a pair, are of a kind. Ignore one accent. Across 4 Read tea-leaves with nettle and flour ingredients (11, two words) 12 Rejected English found in pithy sayings (6) 14 Silent block (5) 19 Spare book (7) 21 Pay some Brazilian temp (4) 24 Ex-giant, literally (4)
The unclued lights, in one case paired, are all suggested by a thematic phrase (two words), which is set out in an appropriate form in the grid and must be highlighted. Across 1 Brass and slate vessel (8) 6 Really humid round townships (6) 10 Ham cast chose plays — they cause discomfort (12) 12
Unclued lights (three of two words; ignore one apostrophe) may be grouped to form a related triad. Across 1 Old wife to claim freebie from party (8, two words) 5 Arrest of secret police (6) 11 King’s job reduced: that hurt part of the fleet (10) 16 From lack of energy Roman general
The unclued lights, five of which are correctly numbered, are of a kind. Ignore one accent. Chambers does not include the solution at 29D. Across 01 Have nothing to do with letter read out to John — needs amending (13, five words) 09 European dormouse cutting 42 thematically (4) 11 Countrywomen
The third letters of extra words in two dozen clues spell out a 35 (in ODQ 7&8), associated with the 19 31, which explains the remaining unclued lights (all different real words), one of which is the cause of the others and must be shaded. Across 4 Packed out balls getting odd crew
One unclued light (ignore its umlaut) is the home of a team known by a name which is another unclued light. This name is also given to a group of 13 28; four related members (one hyphened) are the other unclued lights. Each of ten clues contains a misprinted letter in the definition part; corrections
The unclued lights (one of two words and another hyphened) can be arranged to form a word pyramid of 3 to 11 letters, adding one letter and making an anagram step by step. Across 11 Demands performances from the past? (6) 13 Totally obsessed having cleared the plate (7, two words)
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. Across 9 Sea lion’s grandchild swallowing salt (5) 10
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
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
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)
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
The unclued lights are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer. Elsewhere, ignore two accents. Across 1 Transfers year-groups (7) 11 Mushroom in cooker and much of the basmati (6) 12 Neighbours character’s hangers-on (7) 14 No Parking in island for Persian king (5) 15 Gamble on a lake
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
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. Across 10 Terrorist regularly misses the mark (4) 12 Canons once disturbed harmony (10) 14 Distinctive doctrine of Paris Match (3)
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. Across 7 Pass through range heading west (3) 11 Any chap can empty nappy (6) 14 Gigs annoy heartless
