Genius
Past Genius annotated solutions can be found here.
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Genius No 155
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Deadline for entries is 23:59 GMT on Saturday 2 January. You need to register once and then sign in to theguardian.com to enter our online competition for a £100 monthly prize.
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Deadline for entries is 23:59 GMT on Saturday 5 December. You need to register once and then sign in to theguardian.com to enter our online competition for a £100 monthly prize.
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Genius crossword No 148
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Each of the 26 solutions begins with a different letter, which is ignored in its clue. The clue order is random. The solutions should be fitted in to the grid jigsaw-wise, wherever they will go
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Across
8 (8)
9 (6)
10 (6)
11 (8)
12 (4)
14 (5)
16 (4)
17 (7)
20 (7)
23 (4)
24 (5)
25 (4)
27 (8)
29 (6)
30 (6)
31 (8)
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Across
6 Highly acidic sulphur rings (7)
8 Charge pilot after appeal's rejected (7)
10 Thorny shrub keeps cool, having more salt (8)
11 Dismisses instrument on the radio (6)
12 Tolls as fruit changes hands (6)
13 Wheel guards American can finish (8)
14 Disavowal is structured not erratic (11)
19 Eternal love? Inane, a fancy (8)
21 Camp's back in cabaret, getting stuck into numbers (6)
22 Modernist poet initially with promise to back more traditional poet (6)
23 Note skin's way of getting artificially tanned (8)
24 Where one should be putting European novelist (7)
25 What hawk has, running into flipping bit of wood (7)
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Across
1 After onset of winter, ordinary leaves disappear (4,3) (7)
5 Nice art stored in suburbs of Leeds, unprotected (7)
10 Spain deceived banks in poll (4)
11 Middle-class drink kept warm in cups (6,4)
12 Origin of limp associated with shank (6)
13 Nimble player, the German crosses ball oddly (8)
14 He's on a mission to forget old Freudian desire (5,4)
16 Is scab around bones? (5)
17 Crop by taking in some cloth (5)
19 British nerve (5,4)
23 Eject short CD (8)
24 One name for what underlies 16? (6)
26 Stones vehicle, black, belonging to relative (10)
27 Flag of Hibernia, not Hungary (4)
28 Spoke rudely to party leader (7)
29...
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Across
7 Unknown terrain covered by athletic unit, soldiers being game (7)
8 Pity extremely poor state's representative (7)
10 Notary turned page containing court orders (6)
11 Fresh sweet apple, in pieces, dipped in vermouth (8)
12 Row when aboard ship in nautical operations (3,7)
13 Space shuttle secure when reversing (4)
14 Windsor Castle has incredibly intact roof whenever one goes inside (13)
17 Society with economic problem regressed to disorder (4)
19 See amateur damaging finger cutting grooves in rock (10)
22 Seat covers torn oddly -put pins around split (8)
23 Shakespearean killer gets shocking treatment in nasty part (6)
24 Crushing evil emperor in dynasty (7)
25 Leader of House...
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Across
7 Distinct part of larger whole cake served in clubs? (7)
8 River returns, following river to river (7)
9 Filling extremely tasteless %u2014 starter binned (4)
10 Old man with right yen for saving (9)
12 First of Jacob sheep lost a stone in the ring? (5)
13 Those lacking aspiration in speech about their sort of paintings (8)
15 Surrounded by the morning papers? (4)
16 This cooking involves meat primarily (5)
17 Mention sex in church (4)
18 Vessel where 5 meets two females taking in a little cruise (4,4)
20 Fly with male in area set aside for females (5)
21 Her Majesty has the swan swimming around other aquatic birds (9)
22 Female in prison, swapping wings (4)
24...
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Across
1 There's 100, fool, in brief U-turn (9)
6 European city recipes (4)
8 Our TV is set to get Love Master sketch (8)
9 Pyre made of prestige vehicle in wharf (6)
10 "Psychiatrist's writhe" (6)
11 CD repaired with deeper piece of cotton wool? (8)
12 Scottish wooded valley country habits getting pretty low marks (6)
15 Resolve to tarry anew, keeping love in a whirl (8)
16 Sergeant having a legal right to hold property (blended tea) (8)
19 U-trap, I'd say, containing a mass of hair (6)
21 Muriel who wrote on the French king (8)
22 Blazing round London's East End (6)
24 Isolate number from time the Guardian has divided by 50 (6)
25 Cotton fibre separator spirit and...
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Across
9 Examine British plants suitable for garden... (9)
10 ... until tangled rose was set apart (5)
11 Dark shadows intimidate sailor (3,4)
12 Massive monster has tough little beak (7)
13 Gambles with electric circuit (5)
14 Pickled sot, half unwell, found nirvana in drink barrel (9)
16 Colour and curious tint mixed by small urchin (5,10)
19 It's a tragedy how foul Macbeth butchered new duke (9)
21 University of Cambridge boasts about class (5)
22 Zappa's gutted after instrument produces evil notes (7)
23 Wizard books by Rowling, a poet (7)
24 Giant asteroid orbiting Sirius (5)
25 News chief hacks phone over mere trifle (9)
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Across
8,16,14 30 record everyone's throwing out (3,5,3)
9 Discontentedly 5 and 30? You'd not be 30 in these (5)
11 Snake periodically seen in tree (5)
12 The foreign prisoner turned 16 (5)
13 A man would have essentially male name (5)
14 See 8
15 Taurus conflicted with Libra, so involved in stitch-up? (7)
17 Very good cleaning fluid removing stain in the end (7)
20 Getting on a horse outside pub, say (5)
22 See 22 down
23 Pint served topless in the Queen Vic? It may be packed (5)
24 Able to return quickly to former 15 down cell, all but sozzled after drinking wine (7)
25 Regular bits of spend - butcher's gets ready for it? (7)
27 Spend a penny in West End emporium, for...
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Across
7 Destiny opening actor, colourist does his stuff to detectives (8)
9 Mice vermin (8)
10,18 Message: gem alleged moved smoothly, narrow chapel (8)
12 Head ring, Jethro, Oxford street - convert master Scotsman (8)
14 Flower do without single row (8)
18 Percolate progeny: attend to flock, difficult worker (8)
21 Philanthropist said to mark without qualifications and be fairly accurate (3,2,5,5)
23 Poison glass tree, feed cubes (8)
25 Auction sensible way, add backing to stuff on floor (8)
29,12 Place to sell whisky √ make liquid conform with measures √ worry (8)
30 Savers attendant on queen √ flag Discord, Greek region essayist (8)
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Across
1 See special instructions
10 Make out, like film classified as adult, at home (9)
11 Children's favourite '70s pop show (5)
12 Online auction's working to replace ultimate character from Victoria Wood (5)
13 It might tip an Italian pope - Prince Charlie having gone off (9)
14 Pink Floyd's More, Waters losing head around drug (7)
16 Lana Turner's half dressed, without make-up (7)
17 Eg Sundew, Florida returning Republican? (7)
19 Sailor, without crew, finding ear shell (7)
21 Making aristocratic, Lennon posing, wings with jewellery that could be rattled (9)
23 "Find city" - Gore relating to business in the US (5)
24 Order online crossword helper? (5)
25 Recalling TV chef's "temperature to go... -
Across
1 In this leader's field, moon offering? (4-4)
8 "He's besotted!" (so off-putting chap might say) (8)
9 Aussie batsman in 80s cut past backward cover (6)
10 What about puckering pleats for layers of leather? (8)
11 Recto-bleeper? (5)
13 Dramatist's the reason disheartened singer goes to the country (9)
14 Chinwag with inmate is wicked (6)
16 Intended to keep the Queen of Hearts'' third note (7)
20 The immortal Birdman of Alcatraz initially located in a drug compound (6)
21 A hundred quid helps these people practise snobbery (9)
24 Where you can get Guinness suitable for slimmers (5)
25 Disaffect sergeant, shot to pieces (8)
27 As a prospect, compete and finish first when cycling? (2...
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Across
8 Military commander left article at the end of the Sun, say (6)
9 Encourage one clown to hold tears back (8)
10 Position stuck by in case (8)
11 Briefly had rumpy pumpy and woman's in an agitated state (6)
12 Make tart flatter, round calamari at edges (9)
13 Running in front of goal's upright (2,3)
15 More than one making good sense playing with English (7)
17 Killer fed by Chinese (7)
20 In Tokyo address organisation for lush capital city (5)
22 Singer drawing back before officer gets in firm refusal (9)
25 Writer needing to shut up? Good grief! (6)
26 Bird's poor tail needing treatment (8)
27 Croupiers see off dissolute better (8)
28 Group of freedom...
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Across
1 7, 12 and 14 jumped long ago, before I had to work for the Times (11)
9 Duck caught leading American swimmer (7)
10 A contributor to 1 across effecting takeover (7)
11 Revolve twice at record? No point -- it's one of 78 (5, 4)
12 Centre of number, in trance (5)
13 Eric's 19s' significance escaped poet (4)
14 Serpent's head up to making appearance in Christian home (10)
16 English selection reduced to mate by parrot (10)
19 Drink river water (4)
20 Red banker has all but ... (5)
21 ... the top banana on the menu going round, nearly round and round (6, 3)
23 Milk is sustaining English peoples (7)
24 A Glasgow leader getting his own way -- see 5? (7)
25 Julius...
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Across
8 Bush transport over sand? Distance in China requires one (8)
9 Setters possessively appropriating social hum (5)
10 (See special instructions) (4)
11 Blades all the keener for one's touch smirk, having finished squeezing virtuous type? (10)
12 New technology needed after county brief to provide accommodation (6)
14 Aristocrats' capacity to get around having name to replace Miles (8)
16 Chaos - fled back inside, being a bit of a pain (7)
18 Third positions in Osborne play: Tim's rudely interrupted by entrance of Archie Rice (7)
21 Raymond, Crufts' chief trainer? (8)
23 (See special instructions) (6)
24 "Script out broadcast" - tip from radio ham (10)
26 (See special instructions) (4)
27...
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Across
4 Enumerate eighty-eight as two fat ladies, ideally (6)
6 *Shepherd never catching measles, a chill or venereal disease (8)
9 *Rude person forgets to put kisses at end of letter (5)
10 *Omelette maker's wounded pride on cutting onions (7)
11 See 25
15 *Setter changing critical letters when clueing himself into a stew (7)
17 Concentrated solution set, inevitably (7)
18 Dealing hash? He gets a record, one that lists offences (6,5)
22 *After chasing wild rabbit, silly dog wees under dresser (7)
23 *Vermouth and Prosecco bought for garden party (5)
24 Critical interpretation of (say) Matthew 2 xi sees generosity of three wise men (8)
25 On inspection by Michelin, onion tart's stale and covered in a mouldy...
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Across
8 Having no further requirement? (4,6)
9, 3 Cartoon character that gets up your nose, certainly, according to Spooner? (4,4)
11 Half-hearted killer, more mature (5)
12 Duo go off with bike to see travelling companion (9)
13, 27 down Thumbs up from Indian cookery product''s quality control? (4,3,4)
15 Trophy wife finally left for surgeon's assistant (7)
17 Monster not entirely visible, still (3)
18 Figure dry, missing sherry for a start (6)
19 * (6)
21 See 7
23 A disappointment to the cattle breeder? (3,4)
24 Seen as somewhat unattractive, yes - or execrable, is it? (7)
25 Pre-cooked fibrous loaf? (4,5)
27 Tongue twister's end stops dork (5)
28...
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Across
9 Son, feeling faint, eats a half-kilo, needing more oil? (9)
10 Drive car out of city (4)
11 Thousands employ old American lawyer (5)
12 Writing about first zoo (5)
13 Engages every other member (4)
14 Dried out note: "Fantastic beer party!" (7,2)
16 Like twins in list about children in English row (15)
19 Flare up possibly limits private hours now and then (9)
21 He nicks a run (4)
22 Back number is retained by left wingers (8)
23 Bottom of plum tree (4)
24 Bone marrow is cramping leg (6)
25 Eg Soprano chief restricted in oil rig at sea (9)
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Across
7 Hard hole - Els redesigned part of Carnoustie golf club (5)
9 Go through exercise halving take-home pay? (9)
11 Most adaptors behind plug hole with three points (7)
12 Amazon nature film - no intro to aerial shot? (1-6)
13 Writer of 1970s' band Genesis covering single - intro from T. Rex (5)
14 Clumsily type, in Excel, large order (7)
16 Artist and composer missing a green forest (2,5)
18 For example BA (first class) in English covering King Lear's leading ideology? (7)
20 Forbidden bar for swingers? (7)
21 Ford model Torino cast destroyed ... (5)
23 ... model Henry''s current car almost in plastic (7)
24 Inert element of Superman's risking planet (7)
25 Ordinarily, when taken out, insurance...
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Across
5 In recitation, any teller of tales keeps it without digressions (6)
7 Goes camouflaged following killers around - they're near! (8)
9 On reflection, celebrated capturing actor's facial features (8)
10 Plain girl not for Norman (6)
11 Showing off new, fancy dame - seÒorita's for twirling, getting a whistling (4-8)
13 Orator's overcome, filled with tons of desire (7)
15 Associating higher education and business is far from satisfactory (7)
18 Crazy attire restraining chap, in a way? (12)
22 Rather little is covering Queen (6)
23 Native treated by alternative antidote (8)
24 They lack 9 and so long to be by garden (8)
25 Strip, being reckless, moving right to the front (6)
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Across
8 Rough series of lectures delivered (6)
9 Priest enters country without force or faith (8)
10 Before performance company is working together (8)
11 Sell IT with "real" computing (6)
12 USSR dissolves, then one gets a federation (6)
13 Factory to shut after I pressure unit (8)
14 Former Tory MP starts to rebuke leather worker (7)
16 Entertainment success? Gracious! Herb's on the radio (3,4)
20 Sets up officers in law (5,3)
23 Joke about leg wide open (6)
25 Foreign money returned over horse trailer (6)
26 Unchanged, hard working maiden replaces royal (8)
27 Medium collapses to dream with direction (8)
28 More supple student with their exercises (6)
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Across
1 Nick an antique lighter (7)
5 Hogging line, cry beside scorer (7)
9 Insect complaint (no tail) (5)
10 Ring in fancy macaw's eye almost gets detached (5,4)
11 (See special instructions) (10)
12 Fruit is plain sad (4)
14 Dogs threaten to remove anti-tank obstacles (7,5)
18 (See special instructions) (12)
21 Wine removes resonance from boredom (2-2)
22 Wild boar bled for a pretty vacuous plaything (6,4)
25 Slow deceitful type, evil one on the inside (5-4)
26 Material communicated in modern fashion (no musical note) (5)
27 Question political party on energy, suspiciously (7)
28 Dumb to hold fixed small bagpipe (7)
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Across
7 Relatives on the toilet to investigate (4,4)
8 Fervent devotion lessened, keeping elderly woman in women's quarters (6)
11 A noisy abbreviated function - it's the fruit! (7)
12 Done or undone, container ultimately awaiting delivery (2,5)
13 Moronic soap, I gather (11)
15 Element of predator and prey? (7)
17 Protection with egg on one's face, might you say? (7)
19 Fine bloody mess with finery (4,7)
24,9 A cultural festival within reach, snored uncontrollably (7,8)
25,20 Underground worker keeps circulating awhile in church (7,6)
27 See 2
28 Page one added another story in the end (3,5)
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Across
1 Who allegedly planted the oak tree outside Ampleforth College? (4)
4 Which vegetable of the genus Phaseolus was first described in Kenya in 2001? (6, 4)
9 The King's Speech is celebratory of the life of which king? (10)
10 See special instructions (4)
11 Who plays the title role in the 2007 Peter Spears film Hairdresser Alec? (8)
13 They may be laughing at Melvyn Hayes in which TV series set in India? (6)
14 Which Old Etonian masterminded the first issue of Beano? (9)
18 "The Kingpin" is a member of which pharmaceutical brand/group? (4,5)
22 Siouxsie and the Banshees hug which aviator at the end of Hong Kong Garden? (6)
23 The constriction of what led to a top 10 UK Rolling Stones single of 1969? (8)
24 Who were the actor members of...
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Across
1 Provided drills in melting ice cap, wasting energy in the main (7)
5 Jones's Hotel, one accepting help in recession (7)
9 Retrieved sample from time capsule (5)
10 See 8
11 Not a time for false pretences (10)
12 Stagger over and look (4)
14 You can pick it up in Kerry, Chile, Riga and central Pakistan possibly (5, 6)
18 NI police ordered to recruit regular snipers because of their convictions (2, 9)
21 Ships about 10 bottles and boxes in Tokyo (4)
22 Proper place to arrange another assignation? (10)
25 Chip supplier allowed Chinese leader in (9)
26 21 drank first of 3 in leading bars (5)
27 Boy upset with adult in alien Child's Play (2,5)
28 Our stablemate cut notice (7) -
Across
7 Exercise in perfect working order for vain person (7)
8 Bill left finally, admitting sexual intercourse with dirty clerk in his place (6,4)
10 Yankee tempted initially with this - could make buy (Monet's Water Lily) (7)
11 Kinky sex in that place, date suffocated (9)
12 One picking up most of bacteria eating last bit of brie (8-2)
13 Good man turning books over for argument (3-2)
15 Caught big cups around Ava Gardner''s front - revealing this? (8)
17 Finally released here, Gimme Shelter - Decca prefer America for Brown Sugar (8)
20 Drink drop of Jameson's on the rocks? (5)
22 Rare bewilderment of the Observer's compiler shrouded by unusual name (10)
25 It stinks how Microsoft opens - programming language is affected (9)