to 2311: Keith II
The unclued lights, as well as KEITH, are Scottish place names. TARBERT was required at 28A, rather than LARBERT. First prize Una Lynch, Haywards Heath, West Sussex Runners-up R.R. Alford, Oundle, Peterborough; Anson, London SE5
Doc
Thursday
Thursday
2311: Keith II
The unclued lights, (two of two words), are of a kind. Chambers does not give the solution at 12 Across. So as to avoid alternative thematic solutions at 28A, solvers should know that the first letter is the same as the final one. Across 2 Amblers won’t be adapting military item (13, three words)
Solution to 2308: Landmark
Solution to 2308: Landmark This puzzle was Doc’s 600th to be published in this series. The unclued lights are two-word phrases beginning with D and C (DC = 600). The paired lights are 7/8, 21A/39, 21D/3, 35/25 and 40/24. The solution at 7A, D-0-C, is the serendipitous link between the theme and the compiler’s name. First
Thursday
2308: Landmark
This puzzle is a landmark for D(0)C: his first crossword appeared in The Spectator in the issue dated July 4th 1981 and his puzzles have appeared almost every third week since then. The unclued lights (three of two words) and the others when paired correctly represent initially the total which D(0)C reaches with this puzzle.
to 2305: Whodunnit?
The unclued lights are trios of Cluedo © rooms at 1A, 14A and 40, weapons at 6, 13 and 14, and suspects at 5, 27 and 36. The solution to the crime are the highlighted HALL, ROPE and PLUM. First prize P. Langdale, London N11 Runners-up Matthew Cawthorne, Watford, Hertfordshire; Barry Fisher, Bramhall, Stockport
Wednesday
2305: Whodunnit?
The unclued lights (one of two words) can be resolved into three associated trios which are not the solution to the problem. Solvers have to search the completed grid and then highlight the trio which does so. Across 11 Maigret’s sidekick has read case in French (5) 12 Those in the band that take
to 2302: Urbane turban
The twelve undefined solutions become one Scottish and eleven English towns, if the final letter is omitted or a letter is added at the start. First prize Pamela Moorey, London EC1 Runners-up Glyn Watkins, Portishead, Bristol Lowri Williams, Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent
Thursday
2302: Urbane turban
The solutions to twelve clues, all of which lack definition, have to be adapted as the title indicates before the resulting word is entered in the grid. These resulting words are of a kind. Chambers does not give 4D. Across 1 Grotesque body-snatcher – deaths dismissed (6) 4 Incompetent crossing street (8)
to 2299: Pieces of Eight
The unclued lights, including 28/3 in its English translation, are compositions by Carl Nielsen, (i.e. pieces of 8 Down). First prize K.J. Williams, Kings Worthy, Winchester Runners-up Roderick Rhodes, Goldsborough, North Yorkshire; Megan Warburton, Walthamstow, East London
Thursday
2299: Pieces of Eight
One unclued light is the origin of the remaining unclued lights (three of two words), individually or as a pair. Across 4 Stagnation’s the making of these adversaries (11) 11 It’s for refreshment in moderation — there’s no din (7) 12 Reptile from southern-most headland (6) 13 Nut lovers’ collection in Laurel’s birthplace (9)
to 2296: Men of note
The unclued lights are seven COMPOSERS whose surnames begin with A to G, along with the eighth beginning with H, which is B natural in German notation. First prize Oliver Miles, Oxford Runners-up Miriam Moran, Pangbourne, Berks Tom Eadon, Melton Mowbray, Leicsa
Thursday
2296: Men of note
The unclued lights, which include the German eighth, are of a kind. Ignore all accents. Across 1 Lines fish in strips (8) 6 Dads receiving trophy before drinks (6) 10 Being against work place on outskirts of Arundel (12) 11 Children are a bone of contention (5) 17 Sentence lout over pinching high-class rescue
to 2293: Topping
The unclued lights are items of headgear. First prize Tony Watson, Twyford, Berkshire Runners-up Philip Berridge, Spalding, Lincolnshire; R.C. Teuton, Frampton Cotterell, Bristol
Thursday
2293: Topping
The unclued lights (one of two words and one hyphened) are of a kind, all verifiable in Chambers. Across 4 Night-flier in gear (11, two words) 11 Fancy pictures from one publication with topless sequences (9) 14 City faraway from Helsinki, evidently (4) 15 Aunt Sally is retiring (3) 18 Dropping openers, new eleven win
to 2290: Timely II
Perimetric trios combine to suggest HOG/MAN/AY: SHILLING, MALE, INDEED; SWINE, ATTENDANT, YES; MOUND, EMPLOYEE, EVER. The relevant activity is FIRST-FOOTING (35/25/16) and the relevant name is SYLVESTER (11). First prize Helen Hinder, Knaphill, Surrey Runners-up Mrs J. Smith, Beeston, Norfolk; Bill Stewart, Leicester
Thursday
to 2287: Quarry
Unclued lights are types of LIMESTONE. First prize Frances Whitehead, Harrogate, North Yorks Runners-up Margaret Almond, Sholing, Hants; P.D.H. Riddell, London SE23
Thursday
2289: I don’t believe it!
The unclued lights, as a singleton and four pairs with one unclued light doing double duty, are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer. Two of the unclued lights are of three words, one including an abbreviation. All but one of the remaining unclued lights are of two words. Ignore two apostrophes. Across 10
to 2286: B
The unclued lights are provinces or areas of BELGIUM. First prize C.R. Haigh, Hassocks, West Sussex Runners-up Frank McDonald, Carron, Falkirk; I. Lyttle, Armagh
Thursday
2286: B
The unclued lights are of a kind. Ignore one grave accent. Across 1 Hails a picador, awfully exciting (13) 11 Difficult child had fun playing close to school (7) 12 Father has undone Turk’s head (5) 14 As You Like It — a piece of theatre by Shakespeare (6, two words) 16 Peg
to 2283: be damned
The unclued lights are PUBLISHING FIRMS. Our apologies for the omission of clue 42 Across. It went missing during the production stage. It should have read: 42 Enticing action Latino attains oddly (13) First prize Jenny Gubb, Uffculme, Devon Runners-up Philip Berridge, Spalding, Lincolnshire; Mrs E. Knights, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire