A Puzzle by Shabbo
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The puzzle is available by clicking on the above grid.
A very enjoyable crossword pitched just right for a lunchtime solve
Across
1a Hard to forge passport? (5)
RIGID: Forge some identification such as a passport
4a Rugby player that is harmful when injured (5,4)
SCRUM HALF: SC (scilicet, namely, that is and an anagram (when injured) of HARMFUL
9a Live and work together (2,7)
IN CONCERT: living or working or conspiring together
10a Female will shortly join oil company (5)
SHELL: An abbreviated way of saying that a female will
11a On-line proposal of love? (7)
EMOTION: The usual letter used to indicate something on-line and a proposal
12a Picture batting in match (7)
IMAGINE: IN (from the clue) inserted into a picture
13a Tyneside pay to see 80's music? (3,3)
NEW AGE: The abbreviation for the part of the country where Tyneside is situated and payment for work
15a Purchase right to keep silver in Bank of America (8)
LEVERAGE: The abbreviation for Right and the chemical symbol for silver inserted into an American (especially on the Lower Mississippi) river bank
18a Officer sent into violent rage? On the contrary (8)
SERGEANT: An anagram (violent) of RAGE goes into SENT (from the clue)
20a A large estuary or bay (6)
ALCOVE: A (from the clue), the abbreviation for Large and an estuary
23a More majestic look is about right (7)
GRANDER: A slang name for a look goes about the (second use of the) abbreviation for Right
24a Nastier bubbly Greek wine (7)
RETSINA: An anagram (bubbly) of NASTIER
26a Stripping works for performer (5)
ACTOR: Remove the outside letters (stripping) of some works
27a Exposure follows bridge players' press release (9)
NEWSFLASH: The four abbreviated players in a game of bridge followed by a fleeting glimpse or exposure
28a Ducks spit seeds out (9)
SIDESTEPS: An anagram (out) of SPIT SEEDS
29a Toys with indecisive people (2-3)
YO-YOS: Toys or indecisive Americans
Down
1d & 23d. Assess regional variety of toast (5,4,5)
RAISE ONES GLASS: An anagram (variety) of ASSESS REGIONAL
2d Wall climber looks good on city deck (5)
GECKO: The abbreviation for Good, the postal district where the City of London is situated and an abbreviated way of saying knock out (deck)
3d Taking steps to ring round South African politicians (7)
DANCING: A ringing noise goes round an abbreviated South African political party
4d Princess is up to see Brown (6)
SIENNA: A reversal of a Princess and IS (from the clue). The B for brown is there to mislead
5d Salesman about to join outfitter reportedly (8)
RETAILER: The usual about, on the subject of, and a homophone (reportedly) of an outfitter
6d Articulate need to find cook? (7)
MASSAGE: Cook the books – a synonym of a homophone (articulate) of need
7d In the morning, Heather has no coffee (9)
AMERICANO: The abbreviation for morning, another name for the heather plant and NO (from the clue)
8d & 16d. Haley sees perhaps with these ocular enhancements (5,9)
FALSE EYELASHES : An anagram indicator tells what you should do with HALEY SEES
14d Fancied acquiring a posh car that's guaranteed (9)
WARRANTED: A synonym for fancies ‘acquiring’ A (from the clue) and an abbreviated way of referring to a particular posh car
16d See 8d
17d Access to transport (8)
ENTRANCE: Double definition
19d Bears' goal sure to change (7)
ENDURES: A goal and an anagram (to change) of SURE
21d Goes for fishing accessory permits at first (4,3)
LETS FLY: Part of a verb meaning permits goes before a fishing accessory
22d Boasts about new honours (6)
CROWNS: Boasts goes about the abbreviation for New
25d Held up in tiny Latin country (5)
ITALY: Hidden in reverse in tinY LATIn
A top-notch puzzle (as we would expect) from Shabbo with smooth surfaces and clever misdirections throughout – many thanks to him.
From many ticked clues I’ll pick out 15a, 26a, 6d, 7d and 8d.
8/16d my clear favourite & with ✅s against all of Gazza’s picks + a few more. Reckon this sort of guzzle could comfortably give Robyn a run for his money in the Monday slot & perfect for the Graun’s weekly Quiptic.
Thanks Shabbo – thought you knew nowt about popular music – you’ll telling us you’re a Jah Wobble fan next.
Probably unusually for Shabbo – caffeine required! Definitely a wake-up exercise for my brain especially, for example, finding justification for the first two letters of 4a.
A little unfortunate that the synonym for 12a batting was also used as the insertion indicator.
Smiles for 1a, 14a, 29a, 3d, and 8d/16d.
Thanks Shabbo and thanks in advance to CS.
Good to see you in the NTSPP slot again, Shabbo. I’d like to add another to the rapidly growing list of ticked clues – I was rather taken with the idea of ducks spitting seeds out!
Thank you for the puzzle, look forward to seeing you in the Indy slot on Monday.
Thanks for the heads up
You know what you are going to get with a Shabbo puzzle. Brief and accurate clueing, super-smooth surfaces, and a lot of fun. This one was no exception – a light delight – with 27a my favourite of many ticked clues.
Having multiple word answers in the same row or column appeals to my sense of order (OCD perhaps).
I think the indecisive people in 29a are American. Collins agrees with me, but the BRB says US orig.
Many thanks to Shabbo and in advance to CS.
A fine puzzle, this. Mostly concise clues with good surfaces, not overly difficult but a really enjoyable solve. I have ticked a fair few and anyone could be a favourite. If a back-pager: 1.5*, maybe 2*/ 4*.
Many thanks to the early solvers for your kind comments. Much appreciated.
Thanks also to Jane for the welcome plug that I am in the Indie on Monday!
Senf – good point regarding 12a. Thanks.
Huntsman – my knowledge of popular music certainly does not extend to Mr Wobble. If you are referring to 13a, I was considering switching the initial letter, but thought that might be a bit unkind!
RD – I agree that 29a probably needed an Americanism indicator.
The NW held me up considerably until I twigged 1a and groaned inwardly at my ineptitude. This then released 2d, which is very clever and elegant, once I finally followed the clear instructions and allowed completion. Cotd for me, from many candidates is 15a. A very enjoyable diversion on a cold Saturday afternoon. Thank you Shabbo.
Thanks for the puzzle Shabbo, I enjoyed that a lot.
An excellent puzzle. It took us some time to get started but once we were on the right wavelength it all flowed smoothly. Cleverness all the way through and a real pleasure to solve.
Thanks Shabbo.
Enjoyed this NTSPP this week. Was a fun solve overall for me.
Favourites 1a, 4a, 13a, 4d & 8d
Thanks to Shabbo & CS
That was excellent, a failure to save progress lost me the first session of work but I didn’t mind going over the same ground again.
I liked the linked clues but could have easily ticked many more. I will try and remember to tackle the Indy on Monday
This took a bit of getting into but once I got the two long answers (1/23 and 8/16) it all came together. I particularly liked 15ac, 28ac and 21dn. Thanks, Shabbo and CS.
A perfect bedtime treat from Shabbo – Sweet dreams are made of this… (for Eurythmics fans).
It’s been a while since I saw the 4a ‘that is’ and had to look it up all over again this morning, but it was clear what it had to be. Reversing the letters in question, CS has provided a very nice illustration for this clue, although Antoine Dupont might have been a more topical choice? However, I suspect I am more of a rugby fan than CS :-) There are smooth surfaces throughout, my favourites being 15, 26 & 28 across (loved the ducks!) and 1/23, 2 & 6 down. 6d was my last one in – very nicely constructed.
Many thanks, Shabbo, and my thanks also to CS. Thanks also to Jane for the direction to Monday’s puzzle.
Thank you CS for an excellent review.
Thank you CS for the review, particularly for helping me parse 4a. Otherwise no problems with this delightful puzzle. Many thanks Shabbo for the fun.
Many thanks for the review, CS, always good to read your ‘take’ on a puzzle.