A Puzzle by Exit
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The puzzle is available by clicking on the above grid.
Exit gives us an enjoyable puzzle for today's alternative exercise in lateral thinking so many thanks to him. There's also a subtle theme hiding in there with seven clues related to the green baize.
Across
7a Reps ain’t fantastic artists (8)
PAINTERS: REPS AINT* (fantastic)
9a Clerical dignitary gains name as one of the big guns (6)
CANNON: A member of the clergy into which is inserted the abbreviation for name
10a See 14d (5)
PLANT:
11a Essentially sacred willow for bishop's staff (7)
CROSIER: The middle two letters of sacred and small Eurasian willow
12a Put back missing mineral – what’s left? (4)
REST: A synonym of put back or return to former state less a metal-bearing mineral or rock. Very smart.
13a Very French amorous advances – they ought to be forgiven (10)
TRESPASSES: The French word for very and some amorous advances The definition is a cryptic biblical/religious reference. Good clue.
15a Fire expert after following 14 (7)
FURNACE: The abbreviation for following, a synonym of the first part of 14 and the usual expert/playing card. "after following" seems a little clunky here
18a Stun special ram, initially every four years (7)
STUPEFY: A single-letter abbreviation for special, an uncastrated male sheep and the first letters of the last three words.
21a Impurity in Rutland tea mixture (10)
ADULTERANT: RUTLAND TEA* (mixture)
24a A sailor’s reportedly a Greek hero (4)
AJAX: A from the clue and a homophone of an informal name for a sailor
26a Dream of vicar by lake (7)
REVERIE: An abbreviated title for a vicar and one of the Great Lakes
28a Demoralise Romeo imprisoned by magistrate (5)
BREAK: The abbreviation for Romeo inserted into an informal name for a magistrate
29a Handout including unemployment benefit – it’s as much again (6)
DOUBLE: A handout for the unemployed around an abbreviated unemployment benefit form. I think we need the accompanying number for this to work.
30a Claims to care again in afterthought (8)
PRETENDS: An addition to a piece of written work (afterthought) around, rather whimsically a word that means care again.
Down
1d Maple syrup starter mixed to taste (6)
SAMPLE: MAPLE S(yrup)* (mixed)
2d Unfit relations excluded when 10 open (8)
UNFASTEN: Remove (sexual) relations from the first word of the clue and follow with a synonym of when plus 10 written as a word. Not my favourite clue to be honest.
3d Better computers? Get away! (4,2)
BEAT IT: Better as a verb and the abbreviation for stuff involving computers, software etc
4d Sound heard again from screech owl (4) ECHO: Hidden
5d Gunge occasionally exists with sulphur in rock (6)
GNEISS: GuNgE plus a simple synonym of exists plus the chemical symbol of Sulphur
6d Lousy ref harassed solver (8)
YOURSELF: LOUSY REF* (harassed)
8d Saint harbours longing for small pouch (6)
SACHET: An abbreviated saint “harbours” a longing or desire
14d &10a. Cannabis found in ceramics factory? (3)
POT: The solution whimsically could describe a factory making cannabis. I think we may need a DBE indicator here.
16d Potential loser could be grounded (8)
UNDERDOG: GROUNDED* (could be)
17d “Line up!” we’re told when actor comes in (3)
CUE: A homophone of a possible instruction to line up. Simple but nice
19d First of plasma leading to delayed obstruction – it’s in the blood (8)
PLATELET: The first letter of plasma, a synonym of delayed plus a (tennis) obstruction
20d Angry European university professors initially settled their differences (4,2)
MADE UP: Angry, irate plus the abbreviations for European and university and the initial letter of professors. Shame we have “initially” in 18a
22d Girl upset over a smell in toilet (6)
LAVABO: An abbreviated female name.reversed, A from the clue and a smell associated with poor personal hygiene. Perhaps preferable to try to split the wordplay 4,2 say to better disguise the definition
23d Fit in case for treatment – with this? (6)
TABLET: Fit as an adjective in the outside letters of treatment
25d Excellent youngster with a trace of oriental martial art (6)
AIKIDO: One of the usual excellents, an informal youngster and the first letter of oriental.
27d Scots dance in section of film (4)
REEL: Double definition
Gentle and enjoyable – thanks to Exit.
I’m not sure that the 29a abbreviation works without the following number.
Top clues for me were 12a, 30a and 17d.
I had just caught up on the last three week’s comments when this NTSPP was posted, so without any further delay…
A pleasant puzzle from Exit, which came together very smoothly. My ticks provided three podium places in each direction – 13, 29 & 30 across and 2 (a nicely misleading clue), 6 & 8 down.
My thanks to Exit and, in advance, to StephenL (I think).
This was very light but a lot of fun with ticks for 11a, 13a, 15a, 24a, 14d/10a, 17d & 20d.
I agree with Gazza about 29a, and I thought the surface of 2d was very strange.
Many thanks to Exit, also for 3d which is a good excuse to enjoy Eddie Van Halen’s magnificent guitar solo:
…strange enough to mislead me nicely
The perfect post lunchtime diversion leaving plenty of time for the things I’m supposed to be doing
Thanks to Exit and in advance to Stephen
Thanks Exit for a caffeine free challenge with a few Hmms. Ditto to Gazza and RD on the abbreviation in 29a.
Smiles for 26a, 3d, and 17d.
Thanks again and thanks in advance to Stephen L.
Very enjoyable, thank you Exit. Still trying to understand 2d and 12a – the penny hasn’t dropped yet! We look forward to your next crossword. Thanks in advance to StephenL
Me, too.
I’m surprised no one has thus far spotted the subtle mini theme hidden in there.
Indeed there is! I have had to do a 29a-take. Thanks for the 17a…
Ah yes! But when does a mini-theme become a theme?
Ah – well spotted!
Spot on for the NTSPP slot and greatly enjoyed. Since nobody else has mentioned it, I’d like to give a shout out for the 14/10 combo which really amused me. I was also rather taken with the amorous French advances.
Many thanks, Exit, I’m off to hunt for the mini theme now….
Good fun. Generously clued with a few chuckles to boot. Only hold up was with my LOI 2d as I spent ages trying to work out how 10a applied to the solution. Podium spots to 18a 29a and 2d. Thanks Exit and to Stephen L in advance
A very enjoyable Sunday morning solve from our setter of ‘way out’ puzzles. Lots of ticks but last in was 2d so we’ll make that out top pick.
Thanks Exit.
Thank you to everyone , particularly StephenL, for your comments. Point taken about 29ac – ‘UB’ on its own isn’t in the BRB. Regarding a DBE indicator for 14/10, the question mark was intended to provide this. And as for the mini-theme suffice it to say that the puzzle was compiled when a certain event at The Crucible in Sheffield was taking place.
Thanks, all, once again.
Hi Exit
Thanks once again for the enjoyable puzzle. Re 14/10 for me, and I could be wrong, the question mark as placed relates to the ceramics factory or the cryptic nature of the clue rather than the solution but it’s a small point.
Many thanks for the review, Stephen, I’m still chuckling over the ceramics factory. Thanks again to Exit for a very enjoyable puzzle.