As always, an expertly constructed, challenging and enjoyable puzzle from Filbert.
Abbreviations
cd cryptic definition
dd double definition
cad clue as definition
(xxxx)* anagram
anagrind = anagram indicator
[x] letter(s) removed
definitions are underlined
Across
1 Squeeze Mike Pence in hearts and spades
COMPRESS
An insertion of M and P in CORES, followed by S. The insertion indicator is ‘in’.
6 What might be left inside hat after opening of sutures?
SCALP
A charade of S and L inserted into CAP. The insertion indicator is ‘inside’. An extended definition.
9 Remove stones from pockets, reversing element of race strategy
PIT STOP
A charade of PIT and POTS reversed.
10 Chat GPT’s creator runs outside
OPEN-AIR
A charade of OPEN AI and R.
11 Pump beginning to generate trickle of water
GRILL
A charade of G for the initial letter of ‘generate’ and RILL. ‘The captive was pumped/grilled for information.’
13 Different from gold, debt instruments reportedly untrustworthy
NOTORIOUS
A charade of NOT OR and IOUS.
14 Plain bothies in disrepair providing no shelter
INHOSPITABLE
(PLAIN BOTHIES)* with ‘in disrepair’ as the anagrind.
18 Orbiter going round Mars, perhaps carrying oxygen tank
COME TO NO GOOD
A charade of COMET, ON for ‘going’, O for ’round’ and an insertion of O for ‘oxygen’ in GOD, of which ‘Mars’ is an example. The insertion indicator is ‘carrying’.
21 In a sense, the way force offer resistance
SHOW FIGHT
An insertion of HOW and F in SIGHT. The insertion indicator is ‘in’.
23 Slightly charming son leaves ego at home
ELFIN
A charade of [S]ELF and IN. I liked ‘slightly charming’ as the definition of ELFIN.
24 Diplomat not drinking gripped by advanced thirst
ATTACHÉ
An insertion of TT in A and ACHE. The insertion indicator is ‘gripped by’.
25 Better teacher said “Ask me another”
SURPASS
A charade of SUR, a soundalike for SIR and PASS. ‘What’s the answer to that across clue?’ ‘Pass.’
27 Upland swallows
DOWNS
A dd.
28 Consider change to script that bores friend
MEDITATE
An insertion of EDIT in MATE. The insertion indicator is ‘that bores’.
Down
2 Total calculated wrongly then correctly
OUTRIGHT
A charade of OUT and RIGHT. ‘My figures were out. Your figures were right.’
3 Temperature to the north rising, say
PUT
A reversal (‘rising’) of T and UP. ‘How should I put/say this?’
4 Talkative dear has answer for everything, initially
EXPANSIVE
Filbert is inviting you to replace the E in EXPENSIVE with A for ‘answer’.
5 Crumbly sandwich without filling worth getting unwrapped?
SHORT
A charade of S[ANDWIC]H and [W]ORT[H]. In cooking, SHORT (as in shortbread or shortcrust) can indicate a tender or crumbly texture.
6 Land transaction only includes one mistake
SIERRA LEONE
An insertion of I and ERR in SALE ONE. The insertion indicator is ‘includes’.
7 Keep stunning shot of English river
AMAZON
AMAZ[E] ON. ‘Shot of’ is the removal indicator and AMAZE ON is a whimsical way of saying ‘keep stunning’.
8 Vicar’s patch has rip that needs fixing
PARISH
(HAS RIP)* with ‘needs fixing’ as the anagrind.
9 Dog starts to learn Italian, answering “heel” there?
PUGLIA
A charade of PUG and LIA for the initial letters of ‘learn’, ‘Italian’ and ‘answering’. An extended definition: PUGLIA is the region in Southern Italy that forms the ‘heel’ of the boot that Italy’s outline resembles.
12 The Spanish aristocrat does sweet decorations for funeral
LAST OFFICES
A charade of LAS, one of the Spanish words for ‘the’, TOFF and ICES.
15 Advert claiming merit so inappropriately paid off
AMORTISED
An insertion of (MERIT SO)* in AD. The insertion indicator is ‘claiming’ and the anagrind is ‘inappropriately’.
16 Boxing match interrupted by supporter after Fury’s face puffed up
BOUFFANT
An insertion of F for the initial letter of ‘Fury’ and FAN in BOUT. The insertion indicator is ‘interrupted by’. BOUFFANT comes from the present participle of the French verb bouffer, which does mean to ‘puff up’ in the big hair sense; but it more commonly means to ‘pig out’ or ‘guzzle’ when it comes to food.
17 Classical dish Chinese-American lawyer served up
ADONIS
A reversal (‘served up’, since it’s a down clue) of SINO DA.
19 DIY sale clearing odd bits with kitchen furniture?
ISLAND
A charade of ISL, the even letters of dIy SaLe and AND for ‘with’.
20 Crawl from Krakow to Warsaw
KOWTOW
Hidden in KraKOW TO Warsaw.
22 Male gymnast’s head breaks weak beam
GLEAM
(MALE G)* with ‘breaks’ as the anagrind.
26 Go off summit in the wrong direction
ROT
A reversal of TOR.
Many thanks to Filbert for another fine Sunday puzzle.
I always look forward to my Sunday Filbert and this didn’t disappoint. Never ceases to amaze me how his crosswords always stretch me to my limits but I end up finishing without cheats. I did have to check PUGLIA & LAST OFFICES as I hadn’t heard of either but the wordplay led me to the solutions. Took far too long to get PUT.
My picks: SCALP, PIT STOP, COME TO NO GOOD, OUTRIGHT, PUGLIA,
AMORTISED and GLEAM.
Thanks Filbert and Pierre.