Crossword

el sereno

D represents the same word throughout

Across

1 Spoil chance of a drink? (6) 5 Where D goes crazy for growth round field (8) 9 D’s work in America keeping artist employed at last (8) 10 23 created by X in school (6) 11 Give no credit to live bid – see in error (10) 12 Level as result of clock losing minutes? (4) 13 Forms of love – and a kiss rejected by court (8) 16 Short about one foot and looking suspicious (6) 17 Move round group (6) 19 D may be the main radio operator on play regularly (8) 21 Sound happy hearing couple from Liverpool! (4) 22 D may be obliged to keep nothing in hold loose (10) 25 Girl spilling his ale (6) 26 Set out Times flyer (8) 27 Frenchman attached to group as possible result of frostbite (8) 28 Seldom finding answer in right bank (6)

Down

2 Animal fur needing iodine (5) 3 Beat most of the right out of bounds (5) 4 Hail D, poorly Spanish nobleman (7) 5 Warning sound set off buzzers (7) 6 Files should ignore current people sleeping rough (7) 7 Vote in Republican providing Yankee shock (9) 8 Where some might be on the fiddle? (9) 14 D’s life-force lines lost in Hawaiian dance (9) 15 Granting unusually draconic start to government (9) 18 English doctor people welcome (7) 19 D’s old tax on neckwear (7) 20 Revealing fraud – it ordinarily involves this professional (7) 23 Reputation that’s nothing serious (5) 24 A slice of bacon, as always showing such sound quality (5)

How to enter Please scan or otherwise copy this page and email it to comps@theoldie.co.uk. With regret, owing to the coronavirus epidemic we are temporarily unable to accept postal entries. Normal procedure will be restored as soon as possible. Deadline: 4th May 2022. We do not sell or share your data with third parties.

First prize is The Chambers Thesaurus 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 412

Across

1 Brute, creature (5) 4 Mistaken (5) 10 Many and different (7) 11 Copper or iron, for example (5) 12 Italian staple (5) 13 A practical type (7) 15 Peaceful, unruffled (4) 17 Pals (5) 19 Icon; public face (5) 22 Shame (4) 25 Authenticity (7) 27 Hosiery (5) 29 More, surplus (5) 30 Raise (7) 31 Vicious (5) 32 Mendacious (5)

Down

2 Roof overhangs (5) 3 Come up for air (7) 5 Cuban dance (5) 6 Nil, zilch (7) 7 Take into one’s family (5) 8 Product of oyster (5) 9 Strongly criticize (5) 14 Give off (4) 16 Snakes (4) 18 Pea dart (anag) (7) 20 Enigma (7) 21 Wept (5) 23 Push into action (5) 24 Inquired (5) 26 Angry (5) 28 Shackle (5) Genius 410 solution

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

Winner: Jim Ollerhead, St Helens, Merseyside Runners-up: J Bielawski, Southport, Lancashire; Jeffrey Woodham, Spalding, Lincolnshire

Moron 410 solution: Across: 1 Teak, 4 Aches (Teacakes), 8 Suspense, 9 Rear, 10 Wail, 11 Middling, 12 Resign, 14 Casual, 16 Perfumed, 19 Drub, 20 Stud, 21 Declared, 22 Alloy, 23 Leek. Down: 2 Expel, 3 Kinsmen, 4 Amend, 5 Hurdles, 6 Stain, 7 Humane, 13 Infidel, 14 Codicil, 15 Acumen, 17 Extra, 18 Muddy, 19 Drake.