Crossword

el sereno

A number of clues share an unstated definition, which needs to be written in the grid at 1 Across

Across

1 See preamble (6) 4 15’s back, surrounded by girls! (8) 9 Leading hotel on a budget finally getting suitable cover (3,3) 10 Oh - for such a work contract! (4,4) 12 They may be seen in diesel car, occasionally, reversing (8) 13 Go wrong inside - for what reason? (6) 15 Take heart from fresh time of celebration (4) 16 Women and everybody let down by fellow - one waiting for a dance (10) 19 Silly fool knocks, bristling with fear (10) 20 Attempt to cover new problematic situation (4) 23 Charged and put up for hearing (6) 25 Sort of government has-been found outside bar (8) 27 Plot affair (8) 28 Hotel with shabby exterior (6) 29 Fancy coat given to top player (8) 30 Put on party for men needing beds stripped (6)

Down

1 One may, subject to tax giving the authority of the Pope (7) 2 Policeman on the girl’s love for Spiderman perhaps (9) 3 Bishop’s check subject to European standard (6) 5 Top answer with Times supporting exercise (4) 6 Ladies help, weirdly ringing round for a way out (8) 7 Reputation of old party sure to lose case (5) 8 Rose finally says Grace! (7) 11 Eat nuts, prepared to get such a disease (7) 14 Extract from film suppressing retro material (7) 17 Top politician of old accommodating Independent silly girl (9) 18 Covering of chocolate eclair spoilt this in salad (8) 19 Gadgets eliminating source of rot in food containers (7) 21 Action to protect low island crumbled (7) 22 Curious answer stifled by one of five on time (6) 24 Praise has no boundaries for such coffee (5) 26 Revolutionary journalists must depress bankers at heart (4)

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First prize is The Chambers Dictionary and £25. Two runners-up will receive £15. NB: Hodder & Stoughton and Bookpoint Ltd will be sent the addresses of the winners because they process the prizes.

Moron crossword 410

Across

1 High-quality hard wood (4) 4 Hurts (5) 8 Tension, anticipation (8) 9 Posterior; bring up (4) 10 Cry with sorrow (4) 11 Average (8) 12 Quit job (6) 14 Cursory (6) 16 Scented (8) 19 Beat easily (4) 20 Stallion (4) 21 Pronounced (8) 22 Mix of metals (5) 23 Emblem of Wales (4)

Down

2 Throw out (5) 3 Male relatives (7) 4 Correct, improve (5) 5 Vaults over (7) 6 Besmirch (5) 7 Compassionate (6) 13 Unbeliever (7) 14 Addendum to will (7) 15 Astuteness (6) 17 Bonus ball? (5) 18 Opaque, dirty (5) 19 Male duck (5) Genius 408 solution

The C in question was CAR, whether a particular make, or the letters CAR

Winner: Phillip Wickens, Horsham, West Sussex Runners-up: E C Eddles, Galmpton, Brixham, Devon; Phil Goreham, Hull

Moron 408 solution: Across: 1 Reef, 3 Reigns (Refrains), 8 Typhoon, 9 Flier, 10 Halve, 11 Worship, 12 Tirana, 14 Scares, 18 Gimmick, 20 Yield, 22 Leave, 23 Wet suit, 24 Pewter, 25 Fees. Down: 1 Ratchet, 2 Expel, 3 Renown, 4 Infer, 5 Neither, 6 Poteen, 7 Trip, 13 Rampage, 15 Coyote, 16 Sedates, 17 Skewer, 18 Gild, 19 Inert, 21 Elude.