Clues by Carpathian and Grid by Patch
Enter the prize draw by 28 February.
The background for this puzzle is a photograph of some beetroots.
This puzzle by Carpathian uses a conventional 7x5x6 grid by Patch and commemorates the untimely death, 160 years ago, of a pioneer in a certain field, whose name is to be found in the pink cells. Eight thematic clues have no definition; combining their answers along with a cryptic treatment of one other answer could make something delightfully thematic (6). Solvers must include both the name of the pioneer and the thematic combination with their entries.
Day 14 is not in dictionaries, but is a phrase consisting of two very common words. Clues are numbered in alphabetical order of their solutions.
Once you start to discover the thematic items, you should get a flavour of what’s going on. I found the anagram of the pink cells strangely tricky: be aware that the pioneer’s name (3,6) consists of title followed by surname. The reference to the cryptic treatment of one non-thematic answer is because the most obvious missing thematic item is a two-word term which would give a cryptic indication for Day 15.
Carpathian and Patch have served up a tasty treat. Bon appetit!
Day 5
Conductor born to American mother taking note (6)
Not so much the Philharmonic, more public transport. Four abbreviations – 1 born, 2 America, 3 American mother, 4 note. [GS]
Day 13
Criminals try holding soccer bosses back (5)
This solution does not end with the letter s. Think more, criminal Italian families. [GS]
Day 18
Epic poem of old days missing a positive reflection (7)
Nice description. Abbreviation for old followed by days missing a, then a positive word going backwards to give you the epic. [JP]
Day 21
Lover missing old city in South American tundra (6)
Think of an old word for a lover (often secret) then take away an old Mesopotamian city to give you the South American tundra. [JP]
Day 23
Traitor with a fine idea initially advanced (7)
Only wordplay here: take a short word for a traitor, then the initial letters of a fine idea followed by an abbreviation for advanced to give the only one of the thematic items I’d never heard of. [NI]
Day 24
Capture a tabby? Not all required lasso (5)
An unfamiliar word for a lasso, but ‘not all required’ tells us that the answer is hiding in plain sight. [NI]
Day 25
Make a critical review about including strange scene (7)
Strange suggests an anagram, and we should precede this with a short word for about to give a somewhat obscure term for ‘make a critical review’. [NI]
Day 29
Keep congas moving (6,4)
This anagram is kindly solved by Chambers Word Wizard without further ado! If you, the solver, were already aware of the theme, then this will only confirm it. But if like me you hadn’t got to the theme yet this has to be a strong signpost. [GS]
Day 30
Sing variable verse about left (5)
‘Sing’ not to everyone’s taste perhaps. Start with a variable, add a type of poem and include an abbreviation for left to give you an alternative spelling for this Swiss delight! [JP]
I am grateful to the other members of the Hints & Tips team: Garry Stripling (Gin) and Jim Pennington (Philostrate).
Happy solving!
Nick Inglis (etc)