The unclued lights are to be resolved into four (unrelated, non-thematic) phrases which share a common format. Across 12 Pope, maybe, as thespian turning in late in France (9, two words) 13 Pound fine imposed on Bill Stevenson (5) 15 Reserve WC in polar areas (9) 20 Cosseted artist in recording was dominant (7)
In this pangrammatical puzzle, the unclued lights are of a kind near 21A. Ignore all accents. Across 7 Fresh out of Pinewood (3) 11 Prisoner’s popular winning move (6) 13 Sympathy strike at the docks? (7) 15 All the monks in class (5) 17 Some reach a téléphérique in Alpine ski resort (6) 18
The unclued lights, all nouns or verb forms (one is a hyphened plural), include a common feature different in all twelve cases. Solvers are invited to indicate both possible unclued lights at 29 Down. Elsewhere, ignore two accents. Across 1 Stab with a knife (5) 4 Order a gin around river (9, two words)
The unclued lights (one of two words) can be arranged into two associated groups. Across 1 Company accepts blame having mended harpsichord (7) 5 Pieces of cloth left in islands linked with Turks (7) 9 A jolt makes it open a little (4) 11 Mid-June physical is affected (9) 12 Check mutt beginning to bark
The unclued lights (five of two words which include three apostrophes) can be preceded by the same word, all confirmed in Chambers and/or Brewer. Across 11 A record bill, getting a pack animal (6) 12 Earthling beginning to excavate rock formation (7) 14 What contains oxygen and is able to girdle the Earth? (5) 15
The unclued lights (individually or as two pairs), one of three words and three of two words, can be preceded by the same word. All can be confirmed in Brewer and/or Chambers. Elsewhere, ignore one circumflex. Across 1 Day after RAF and army manoeuvres in a rural setting (8) 11 9 comperes going around being
The unclued Across lights are of a kind when preceded by one word, as are the unclued Down lights (one pair) when preceded by another. Brewer confirms them all. Across 1 Pointless dissertations are more than this (5) 4 Breathing disorder altered my shape – and me! (9) 9 Companion dressed in fragrant black
The unclued lights, two of two words and the others as four pairs, are of a kind. Across 6 Rickety car – one cut off during July (6) 10 House-doctor, game to assist poor maintenance of biological conditions (12) 11 Ten expressions of 14 – just small amounts (5) 14 Appreciation from US actor (6)
The unclued lights appeared at the start under the shaded squares reading row by row from top to bottom (two words). Across 5 Touring hotel, arrive at poor area (6) 10 Old driver will show support going about in revelry (10) 12 Resort with edge beside popular island (6) 16 Church collection on foot? (5)
During the early spring of 1971, a package of eighteen unsolicited crosswords arrived in the post at the Spectator’s offices in Goodge Street. These puzzles were compiled by Jac who had already established himself during the 1960s as a challenging and inventive setter for the Listener series. The name John Adelmare Caesar hid behind the
The 12 unclued lights (one of two words) are somehow paired and one solution in each pair is of a kind with the five others. Across 12 Prizes at dance which Desperate Dan patronises? (7, hyphened) 14 Fancy notepaper? (5) 15 Fish and cheese sauce, not new (5) 16 Stay out of bed with
The unclued lights, (one pair, one hyphened and one of two words) are of a kind. One clue leads to a number. Across 10 Alpine skier initially taking exercise by Norway’s top ski-resort (5) 11 Bowler in Anglo-French waters (6) 12 Most of the month witnesses are heard. That’s novel! (7) 16 Capital oil change
The unclued lights (one hyphened) are of a kind, confirmed in Chambers. Elsewhere, ignore one accent. Across 1 I returned with note and wave to Bletchley Park expert (11, hyphened) 11 Tried and kept in control in the past (6, three words) 13 Goes off for a while (7) 16 Women’s painting first seen
The unclued lights (two of two words) are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer. Across 4 High-handed relation in discussion first (11)11 This amphibian would need Marvel to make vanilla ice cream (9)12 Auxiliary doctor taking pulse (5)14 Ancient Glaswegian notice covering centre of Mull (4)15/38 Office facility managed 25C (6, two components)19 Nothing
Each solution contains one letter at least once, always omitted in the cryptic wordplay of each clue. This letter and its number of appearances in the completed grid mark this week’s landmark. Two solutions are hyphened, five of two words and one of three. The red squares disclose Doc’s family celebration on 3 April.
The unclued lights are all non-words, but each can be resolved into a pair of thematic solutions. Across 1 Game stuffed with hard vegs (6) 7 Lacks confidence, but somehow is seen in parties (6) 13 Cast of Hamlet gutted about falling-out (5) 15 Feature of credit (9) 16 Sister screwed up extra chances at
Four unclued lights of a kind, one of two words with an apostrophe, include the theme word. The remaining unclued lights (one as a pair), all but the literary solution at 41 Across verifiable in Brewer, can be linked with this theme word. Elsewhere, ignore one accent. Across 1 Psephological survey that’s on the way
Unusually this week, one unclued light includes the theme word which can also be linked with all the other unclued lights, which include a pair. One light is made up of two words, -another of three. Ignore an apostrophe. 33D requires solvers to imagine that an apostrophe s is there, too! Brewer confirms the theme.
Each of the unclued lights, (four of two words), individually or as a pair can be linked with an unclued name suggested by the title, all verifiable in Brewer. Across 4 Wide support for the chair, one seen on TV? (11)13 Surgeon’s probe appears cool after operation (11) 15 Cut some of the wood (3)
At the Spectator Christmas PARTY(90) the TREE (42D) has a FAIRY (22), a STAR (78) and TINSEL strewn around (41, 42A, 50). The STARTER (or 81) is followed by 30 and 75 {3,3}. The TURKEY has come from France (67D), the GOOSE is accompanied by 20 and 31D, and the 102’s are followed by 15,
