Crosswords

This page will include links to the Crosswords that regularly appear in the Mensa magazine.

These crosswords have been compiled by Richard Blake who gives permission for us to make them available here.

They are, naturally, cryptic crosswords but with an extra twist. First of all you have to sort out where the clues go. Each puzzle uses a standard 13 x 13 grid. We have reproduced a blank grid here so that you can down load it and print it out.

To download a file that you can print out to get a blank grid Click here

New puzzles will be put up each odd month, with the solution for the grid a month later and the full solution a further month later, at which time a new puzzle will also be loaded. These puzzles will be loaded here 2 years after they appeared in the magazine.

Cyclic symmetry means for example, if the second square in the top row is black, then so is the second to bottom square in the first column, the second to last square in the bottom row and the second from the top in the last column.

For some help with solving Cryptic crosswords, Click here

WARNING ABOUT PRINTING THIS PAGE: If you click on "Printer Friendly Version" hereunder, it will print out not only this page but also the clues, grids and solutions for all the crosswords from January 2006 up to the present; and you probably don't want this. To print out this page only, do a Print as you would normally. Or Cut and Paste the text into your own file, adjust as you wish, then Print.

January 2006

Crossword first published by Mensa January 2006

Every letter of the alphabet appears at least once in the solution.

ACROSS

1. A little sausage – garnish it may be –
Upsets a pilot while a guest for tea. (9)
8. Rock fade. (5)
9. Exclusive folk ask one question in here, for example. (6)
11. Quiet dog causing waste of time on education. (5)
14. General’s matter found settled. (4)
16. Attend, getting the police round. (4)
17. No work by ladies going for a spell, perhaps. (8)
18. This prestigious award could mean a dinner. (4)
19. One third of internet back float. (4)
21. In tough grass, Josephine trimmed an aromatic herb. (8)
22. Popular additive requires left-handed stirs. (4)
24. The tie is yellow, so we hear. (4)
25. Power is a bad thing if we go on being abused. (5)
28. Move into a home next to a sacred tower. (6)
29. Venture without prescribing good limits. (5)
30. Puzzled: by sixty deep problems? (9)

DOWN

2. Enchanting quality melting cold prejudice. (4)
3. Phosphorus substitute may follow 5. (4)
4. Put down by about-face. (4)
5. Energy being found short by opposition may lead to 3. (5)
6. Defender tangles with goalpost and lets one in. (9)
7. Scattered in all directions: a right mess. (6)
10. Part of star seems to be heavy metal. (4,4)
12. A fair translation into German and with boldness. (8)
13. Little solid representation given alien in Act. (9)
15. Dicky is the boss: a total character. (5)
16. Back road beginning between Yass West and Yass. (5)
20. A doctor turning Lincoln into a single cell! (6)
23. Dutch punishment by English kind of suspension. (5)
25. The first course, maybe, is leading to this degree. (4)
26. Men who get worried about a reputation. (4)
27. The universal greeting of mankind
Made light of by the scientific mind. (4)

WARNING ABOUT PRINTING THIS PAGE: If you click on "Printer Friendly Version" hereunder, it will print out not only this page but also the grid and solution. To print out this page only, do a Print as you would normally. Or Cut and Paste the clues into your own file, adjust as you wish, then Print.

Jan 06 Grid

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Jan 06 Solution

Here is the solution for our first puzzle. If you had difficulty, don't give up. Look at the clues and the answers and see if you can work out how they are related. This will help you in solving more of the clues in the next crosswords you try.

January 2007

ACROSS

  7. A bright young thing we’ve lately got to know
      Has come from far away and long ago. (6)
  8. Dusty, having no second favourite, is very attached. (6)
  9. June and Jean, e.g., are so treated here. (13)
10. Scandal letter menaces 6 constituents. (5,8)
11. New working out used one coir mat, placed inside. (13)
14. Five stars appearing in a western bloom. (8,5)
15. Gentleness heals 4 after candles are extinguished. (6)
16. Some recent arrivals down in the forest? (6)

DOWN

  1. Judge and academic place gold lower in importance. (6)
  2. Schools influencing Eliza to pulp U.S. poppy. (13)
  3. Appropriate chore with extra pay for early bird. (13)
  4. The family fate brought a long way in secret. (13)
  5. Tired by exam: it unfairly demands rare cleverness. (13)
  6. At least in number, we bolster a big celebration. (6)
12. Excited a day before incurring a fine – another one! (6)
13. A basic help in valued culture schemes
      Is often thought the world of, so it seems. (6)

Jan 07 grid

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Jan 07 Solution

January 2008

ACROSS

  7. In twisting back, the shell or nut is found
      To open up to view, by turning round. (6)
  8. Daily grind involving speed with enthusiasm. (6)
  9. The little thing may run or jump. (4)
10. Fiddlers three; and one following. (8)
13. Feedback of sound left injury. (6)
15. The offence meant a year’s absence for the criminal. (5)
16. Volunteer expends little money from chest. (5)
18. Friend invested in gold reserve, getting no reward. (7)
19. Implement having only one handle, to be frank. (5)
21. Birds with 20 like teeth. (5)
23. Mitigate the aftermath of sulphur and eggs. (6)
26. Cheering Asian food around the north and north-east. (8)
28. Instability can bring on the dreaded lurgy at times! (4)
29. Win round with tricks – old king traps ace and jack. (6)
30. Solvent applied on the surface. (6)

DOWN

  1. Expulsion of invaders sounds contemptuous. (6)
  2. Handy resource on endangerment to woodland? (8)
  3. This country’s finally got another name. (5)
  4. Tough Scot heading administrative centre. (5)
  5. To cut right, first draw level. (4)
  6. Grand old weapon, large, has small look. (6)
11. Mouthing untruths not fair, detective began. (7)
12. When returning, one tremendous hug will do! (6)
14. Men who wander she found difficult to catch. (6)
17. Plunge strong? Shorten the field! (4-4)
20. You may or may not fit this description. (6)
22. In the dusk we can hear a short, high-pitched noise. (6)
24. Worked hard, needing time off, relieved of friction. (5)
25. Thin membranes in flipper of seal etc. (5)
27. Betray to those investigating crime
      What gives to some a therapeutic time. (4)

January 2008 Grid

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January 2008 Solution

July 2006

Crossword first published by Mensa July 2006

Every letter of the alphabet appears at least once in the solution.

ACROSS

  6. A sun-god, probing what got off the rails,
      Is nicely representing New South Wales. (7)
  7. Donald, carving out a century, returned to great glory. (5)
  9. Heaps of assistance in times of drought. (6)
10. As we listen to the finish, you’re last! (6)
11. It’s good with an opposition causing bother. (3)
13. With respect to program refined late. (11)
17. Being in agreement, make up. (5)
18. Zero in exam: 2D failed to give plant growth rate. (11)
21. Occasional resting place is instrument of progress. (3)
23. It’s not broken, so it can’t need mending. (6)
24. Articles by Frenchman inspiring song. (6)
25. Denial of entrapment by any bug. (5)
26. Resident sort of easy to find at home back in lair. (7)

DOWN

  1. Tuesday magazine reviewed range. (5)
  2. Not exactly an assassination of true character. (6)
  3. One in eight has a point. Action on the problem! (6,5)
  4. Expert at making the old money lost nothing from it. (6)
  5. Sojourn always inherently unsuitable for Clancy. (7)
  8. Bush tea, green and red, has grown back. (11)
12. First experience of coffee, e.g., in historic city. (5)
14. Advocate of the draft well received. (3)
15. Great information source, but there’s a catch! (3)
16. Organic compound the first of five? (7)
19. A new constitution along with representation. (6)
20. Bring on trouble after 15D goes off. (6)
22. A barrel seized the day before to find
     The way an object’s edge can be inclined. (5)

July 06 Grid

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July 2006 Solution

July 2007

Every letter of the alphabet appears at least once in the solution.

ACROSS

  5. A socialist demanding work so light
      For characters inclined towards the right. (7)
  9. The display is great, but many won’t buy it. (4)
11. Ideal performer needing no introduction. (4-2)
12. Close match settled by the east wind. (5)
13. Vehicle, kept in path, with power to amuse boys. (4,3)
14. Defeated after straining at the bit. (3)
15. Objections got knocked back, so a small section left. (4)
16. Missed out as nasty 28 jammed English broadcasts. (12)
19. This motion is out of order! (5,7)
22. Big fish turning a head. (4)
23. Break reduced by special old measure. (3)
24. Being stuck for a second on the way out. (7)
28. Glossy material substituted, it seems. (5)
29. Food early served by this time; true. (6)
30. Denial of loud representation to bring cut in art. (4)
31. Ends credits: sees evil in them. (7)

DOWN

  1. Contends the fleets can deal with an awful loss. (4)
  2. Dart suitable for throwing in a line. (4)
  3. Saturation problem: Lewis going into space concerns. (12)
  4. Jazz on at each centre that’s regional. (6)
  6. Last poor effort to capture king and so avoid war? (5)
  7. This drama is a repeat – and no commercial around! (3)
  8. Lack of skill may show in blurred cement copy. (12)
  9. Driver’s going in and out of stones on surface. (3,4)
10. Unmade blockbuster about the son of a jellyfish. (7)
17. Popular queen initiating suet pudding probe. (7)
18. The nature of an act we may not observe. (7)
20. Free university clean of cheats. (6)
21. Victor moves out west to be nearer the middle. (5)
25. Taking a temperature is, if in French, a challenge. (4)
26. Anger that is covering up reserve? (3)
27. Could such restricted inspiration make
      The general face a frightful kind of snake? (4)

July 2007 Grid

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July 2007 Solution

July 2008

ACROSS

  1. This person claims that major change is due
      Regarding, so we read, the first of two. (8)
  7. To be cunning could be the ruin of an unknown. (3)
  8. Western approval for eastern frying-bowl. (3)
10. Special average made new effort to include planets? (8,4)
11. Sweet nut – left one out for big bird. (5)
12. Thanks to lover, duet late in the piece. (7)
13. Eastern sailor switching hands, the rogue! (6)
14. Cook acquainted with lost data for popular fruit. (6)
17. Anyone except the monarch may be portrayed. (7)
19. Far-out jazz act as second-rate work. (5)
20. Taking care however fine in rainy town. (12)
23. A multi-purpose animal – or is it just talk? (3)
24. Cricket on, set back. (3)
25. Pollution taken in turns on the way. (4,4)

DOWN

  1. Line of argument. (3)
  2. Use reserve mainly for children’s assignments. (8,4)
  3. Church instrument has last first: complicated stuff. (7)
  4. Proposal suggesting poetry, perhaps. (6)
  5. This part of the country is edgy, it’s true. (5)
  6. Try not to wear this too tight! (3)
  8. What you might get by ringing up? (7,5)
  9. Rather swamped by poverty, cutting maintenance. (4-4)
11. Shame about gold: zeros for permeability! (8)
15. Travelling to the United Nations free. (7)
16. Old coin worth a shilling and a spud. (6)
18. Laboured together removing the dangerous fungus. (5)
21. Kind of trick for performance again and again. (3)
22. One must avoid the snowman that we dread;
      And that is notwithstanding what’s been said. (3)

Every letter of the alphabet occurs at least once in the solution

July 2008 Grid

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July 2008 Solution

March 2006

Crossword first published by Mensa March 2006

Every letter of the alphabet appears at least once in the solution.

ACROSS

1. The teacher’s teaching, “teach a whole lot less!”,
Will find him sure to get in quite a mess. (7)
9. Four Corners doing a show about the Centre? (8)
10. Judge each poor soul green, as they say. (7)
11. Sporting man installing light in small upper room. (8)
12. Cup winner is compact rifle. (7)
13. Striking enough, maybe, to inspire action. (8)
17. Single column has curve east – not around much. (6)
20. Hostility causing unnecessary loss of a weekend. (6)
21. New type of corn seed taken out: too sensitive. (8)
23. Central particle. (Not to include a bad clue!) (7)
24. Resulting in the umlaut never coming back. (8)
25. Great gardens: one visiting can clear a path. (4,3)
26. Little song features region in special words. (8)
27. The meadow and the river vying with the willow. (7)

DOWN

2. Boisterous glee can ruin English gracefulness. (8)
3. Hot car protection also sound if lawyer involved. (4,4)
4. Second question a rude sort about nuclear waste. (8)
5. Has monarch to assembly? (6)
6. Arouse the weak to follow home the strong. (7)
7. Positioned and secured! (7)
8. Do the square of the energy; then subtract it. (7)
14. Fraudulent scam where the franc is left to fluctuate. (8)
15. Two lieutenants been guided round camp quarters? (4,4)
16. Assign a criminal to a cell. (8)
17. Awful noise stopping suddenly, perhaps. (7)
18. Reception setup ahead of Ann’s return. (7)
19. Management not keen about negative time reserve. (7)
22. In Spanish style the label may denote
A variously constituted coat. (6)

Mar 06 Grid

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Mar 06 Solution

March 2007

ACROSS

  6. A volume from the editor will state
      A kind of question fraught with much debate. (5)
  8. Follow closely if mile lost inside waiting period. (4-3)
10. Rough country home has room for some travellers. (5)
12. The eastern ship organised a dry place for salvage. (8)
13. Young oysters turn hot and cold, perhaps. (4)
15. Pull in the direction of the sun. (3)
16. Pig iron starts replacing the valve. (10)
19. Kiwis working off new and extreme fervour. (4)
20. Want the donkey to have extra energy? (4)
22. Lack of being fair includes so much cheating. (10)
23. Support for the drive towards green achievements. (3)
24. Christopher got the university in a rage. (4)
25. Purposeful diplomacy at one cent a litre. (8)
29. Place for unions with an ear for change. (5)
30. Returns, and could be running! (7)
31. Beginning to escape from tight ribbon by twisting. (5)

DOWN

  1. Fulfil monarch’s reform exactly. (7)
  2. Seemingly vital part of woods often in question. (4)
  3. Move to bring about slowdowns. (4)
  4. Jewel most gratifying to find in inherited unit. (8)
  5. Palm tree accommodating American parrot. (5)
  7. There’s time for everybody to have a turn! (3)
  9. Down one in natural urge, possibly affected by 22. (10)
11. USA’s big art scandal caused today’s low backing. (4,6)
14. Ropes could come out of openings in largest organ. (5)
17. Turn back if catching cold: it’s nippy. (5)
18. Marble-style thoroughfare? Very unlikely! (8)
21. Seaport traded grass for paper etc. (7)
23. Potato, perhaps, from underground reserve. (5)
26. As well as bearing left, tail a duck. (4)
27. Account for something extra to grasp. (3)
28. In white surrounds, a thing we’ve got to see,
      Provided by a girl: the fleur-de-lis. (4)

March 2007 Grid

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March 2007 Solution

March 2008

ACROSS

  1. They go around, and get consumed by night,
      Where people live who hardly want a bite. (8,5)
  8. Depart at top speed into shelter. (5)
  9. All too daunting to cage unknown, strange animal? (7)
10. A spy hid slyly, and is behind the long bone shaft. (9)
12. Rooks retreating to capture one knight. (3)
13. Wisdom subordinated to reputation. (13)
15. The vessel is old-fashioned: but makes a return. (3)
17. Don’t finish off caps high in the type. (4,5)
18. Parasite may give nothing back – nothing in one hit. (7)
19. Lowly food provides potassium among carbohydrate? (5)
20. Five sons’ late teen frolic offends sensitivities. (13)

DOWN

  1. Mark dealt jam and nuts out, giving wrong change! (13)
  2. A protected person going after quarters offshore. (7)
  3. Help American with English. (3)
  4. Fun galore in stunt where we relax on the way. (7,6)
  5. King Charles the Great turns informer on ferry trade? (9)
  6. Revered figures suffice for the French males to hug. (5)
  7. Claiming piety, use gift horse to cavort about lake. (4-9)
11. Chose poor performance for assessment by stars. (9)
14. Sibling matter, say, portrayed by one so clever poet. (7)
16. Ignorance putting in twice the pounds and shillings? (5)
19. This vegetable, a salad-making sort,
      Begins to tell the reason why, in short. (3)

March 2008 Grid

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March 2008 Solution

May 2006

Crossword first published by Mensa May 2006

Every letter of the alphabet appears at least once in the solution.

ACROSS

  1. How things that cause embarrassment turn out
     The way that makes them less to grieve about. (5,8)
  8. Best at leaping, though not in start. (7)
  9. Ultraviolet light round each of the eye’s middle parts. (5)
10. Relaxed and happy after taking out first place. (5)
11. A pair of perches travel okay. (7)
12. Moving calmly against, having mutual obligation. (13)
15. Ticked off when including British in breed of monkeys. (7)
17. Quite a scene: avatar arresting detective. (5)
19. Decimate five times? Well, about five! (5)
20. Demanding too much from one man. (7)
21. Let 17A speed, set up river attraction. (6,7)

DOWN

  1. Position (of subject) most important? It’s academic. (13)
  2. Primary representation at high school courses. (5)
  3. Circle ruled on made out of line. (7)
  4. How odd shapes can risk new disorder. (13)
  5. Provide a joke for the internet? (5)
  6. Tedious work gradually becomes obsolete. (4,3)
  7. Fair trade sets out to give return after fluctuations. (13)
13. Two rolls in poor blend: eaten sparingly. (7)
14. Help very early, if somewhat cryptically. (7)
16. Finn, so we hear, to prepare for knighthood. (5)
18. Progressing in a line, a mass of light,
     Directly from the centre, left or right. (5)

May 06 Grid

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May 2006 Solution

May 2007

ACROSS

  1. A little volume – no tremendous deal –
      Describes an honour kept for those who kneel. (8)
  5. How to remind oneself to go to the doctor? (4)
  9. Being conveyed shoulder-high: not concerned. (5)
10. Big spread sounds like financial institution nous. (7)
11. Sector lost insurance by year just breaking even. (4,8)
15. Lady happening to find wading bird. (5)
16. No-parking plaza around each pretty flower. (6)
17. Church in position to bring new symbiotic growth. (6)
19. Boys with some madrigal to sing? (5)
21. The timber line: an awesome thing with no end. (12)
24. 8’s character takes on a sense of the ridiculous. (7)
25. Inspire to have done with helpless humble pie! (5)
26. Tory left opposition to simmer. (4)
27. Piece of wood with heavy weight at end of chain. (8)

DOWN

1. High or low point failure as light goes off. (4)
2. Accountants investing old capital do Brazilian dance. (7)
3. The ad the girl objected to is not serious. (5-7)
4. Be taken in by a clever bird making holes. (6)
6. Top pupil back: excellent marks around to give out. (5)
7. Inaccurate, dishonest, beyond the fringe. (8)
8. Workers joining up three times in USA? Too bad! (12)
12. Some paper demanding law in place of rule. (5)
13. A sign of a break: that’s what we need. (5)
14. By reversing in to entrance, shocks doorkeepers. (8)
18. Henry the first only served a flat fish. (7)
20. Scary silent movie place figure. (6)
22. By those people, an English tune is composed. (5)
23. It’s odd – one seems unfaithful to infer –
To show a plant where flowers don’t occur. (4)

Every letter of the alphabet occurs at least once in the solution

May 2007 Grid

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May 2007 Solution

May 2008

ACROSS

  6. The cuts that spin the business may be shown
       In certain forms of imitation stone. (6)
  8. It gives good connections. True or false? (6)
  9. Epitome of corruption in inquest at crime scene. (12)
11. Phone back, not to score a point. (3)
12. Right to expel ten put off? (5)
14. Hangs out to get together with unhappy movements. (5)
15. Post needs holding device at either end of chain. (7)
16. The dark wood where the English faced Napoleon. (5)
18. Unexciting, though quietly showing promise. (5)
20. Cheering big race. (3)
22. Father, worried about time, has to do a PS, perhaps. (12)
23. How to reach a wonderful land in one’s fantasy? (6)
24. Not even a patient man can find a bit of work! (3,3)

DOWN

  1. Render used by third day in neat construction. (6)
  2. Number of gold rings in Christmas tale of some length. (5)
  3. Living on the edge. (5)
  4. World movement for reform. (7,5)
  5. Mastering secrets, the tenor failed to get a break. (6)
  7. Dominance not to blame for guilty verdict. (12)
10. Popular event may be a let-down. (7)
13. Fish way down shaft. (3)
14. The doctor entered with a pass. (3)
17. Warn of changes being brought in by the powerful. (6)
19. Tutor taps egg on cups. (6)
20. Carbon smoke produces some water, of course. (5)
21. Here’s one of those unusual little words:
      It means a plant, but sounds like sheep or birds! (5)

May 2008 Grid

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May 2008 Solution

November 2006

ACROSS

  1. At eating time, a splendid sight to see
      Is nothing more than margarine, maybe! (6)
  5. Show of pique started bringing the house down. (4)
  8. Local groups dine at meditation school. (7)
10. Go for representation as on canvas. (6)
12. Fare schedule for people travelling to university? (4)
13. Stratum takes exercise. (3)
14. Sign above middle of canyon, originally. (5)
16. Backing a bay, when one is likely to come second. (4)
18. The clever junta order a light industry magazine. (5,7)
19. Medical waste tip to the right of units. (7,5)
21. Some surface written about in articles. (4)
22. An amendment, if moved first and left last. (5)
24. Perfect score, or only half? (3)
26. A 24a is a stem. (4)
28. Busy tone choked at; so put on five lines. (6)
29. Boy taking catches eclipsed by great plays. (7)
30. Novel by king becomes recognised. (4)
31. How something worn out can shine a bit. (6)

DOWN

  1. Game of remarkable similarities, so it’s said. (4)
  2. Promising fairy story at time for bye-byes. (4)
  3. How we find the mineral situation getting along. (4)
  4. Charm relied on a bit – there’s no rush. (12)
  5. Turn up, e.g., with a polite cough half-way through. (3)
  6. Only ladies work at such bars. (6)
  7. Saving a dance for the twister and gangster. (6)
  9. Land portions where lemons grow, given room. (6,6)
11. Movement is unattractive? Go close! (7)
15. A fiat recycling cheap rum. (5)
16. Condensed material on curing bad industrial relations. (5)
17. Open pastry treat allowed to become smaller. (7)
19. Block request for reversible fabric. (6)
20. Pretty pink saucer is easy to distribute. (6)
23. Finish a hundred short: sustain deficit. (4)
24. Denied egg scrambling about to be prohibited. (4)
25. Kind of sign none can fix. It’s the element! (4)
27. The farmer’s pride and joy when big and round,
       However, may be cast upon the ground. (3)

Nov 06 grid

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Nov 06 Solution

November 2007

The diagram is 13 x 13, normal style, i.e. with black and white squares, and has cyclic symmetry through ninety degrees. Every letter of the alphabet appears at least once in the solution.

ACROSS

  1. Just put a piece of nonsense in the way:
      Perhaps avert a price that’s hard to pay! (11)
  9. One entertaining use of the indefinite article. (7)
10. Bird making noise which sounds like child. (5)
11. Set back a part of the cage. (5)
12. The general’s new plan is elaborate. (7)
13. Top former European group having comeback day. (6)
15. Worker inviting trouble not holding his own. (6)
18. Rushes around for the flower, it seems. (7)
20. Stand tall, as Mickey Mouse wrote. (5)
22. Michael, after he was sacked, managed to make out. (5)
23. King Eugene could return by default. (7)
24. Bad case of mixed corn might open. (11)

DOWN

  2. The ice appears unstable. (5)
  3. To make invalid active it hardly cost a cent. (7)
  4. The nice car deserves a big wave. (6)
  5. Feral animal came from outback to Arthur’s place. (5)
  6. Special extension for holding on. (7)
  7. Wonderful lift given by dry biscuit. (11)
  8. Referee did games around zero: got cold, not wet. (6-5)
14. Covenant north ignored creates change in Chile etc. (7)
16. Mark requesting hearing as listed? The opposite! (7)
17. Holy man needs helpful circle. (6)
19. University treated men time had not honoured. (5)
21. A movement made by fingers and by tails
      On seeing what goes on and off the rails. (5)

November 2007 Grid

TO PRINT THIS GRID:

1. Right-click anywhere on the grid and select Save Image.
2. Open the saved image in Paint and then Print.

(Printing directly from this screen, including by using "Printer Friendly Version",
will result in a grid that is too small to use).

November 2007 Solution

September 2006

Crossword first published by Mensa September 2006

Every letter of the alphabet appears at least once in the solution.

ACROSS

  1. A chapter, brief, on justice – mercy too –
      Conveys a word that operates like glue. (11)
  9. Company at nuptial place see black coat well used. (4,3)
11. As many once said, it is not corrupt a bit. (5)
12. The dial missing a part spun like a top. (3)
13. Boron used in test of related group. (6)
14. When he makes an exit, heroines turn older. (6)
16. Much cash seen when fraud is beginning. (7)
17. Install an old product without the new symbol. (4)
20. Went for public administration. (4)
21. Nice and irregular keeping duck in sailing boat! (7)
24. He often serves as a confidant. (6)
25. All one? Carried! (6)
27. A system for television would assist. (3)
28. Mark extraditing one good if arresting musical ring. (5)
29. Revise the joke about an egg for eating. (7)
30. Falsely labels pottery, sees criminal. (11)

DOWN

  2. A sort of small giraffe: some took a picture. (5)
  3. Travel upset when delinquent let into fast car. (6)
  4. Bernstein denying lion fragrant ointment. (4)
  5. Sit back to receive the proportions given. (6)
  6. Steer to one side badly because of rust, maybe? (7)
  7. Only words going about placed end to end. (11)
  8. Splendid type of night at some stage, perhaps. (4-7)
10. Member used to have ups and downs, or get on roll. (7)
14. Nothing daunted, carousel set up outside church, e.g. (7)
15. Fifty in retreat, to quote a round figure. (3)
18. Side by side on the street with a performing bear. (7)
19. Where the vital stuff stops and starts. (3)
22. Old bandit protecting the environment! (6)
23. France etc., having record year, get piece of praise. (6)
26. Reserve put in nil return found excellent value. (5)
27. This isn’t very much as money goes;
      But, if you get it, strike a fancy pose! (4)

Sep 06 Grid

TO PRINT THIS GRID:

1. Right-click anywhere on the grid and select Save Image.
2. Open the saved image in Paint and then Print.

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will result in a grid that is too small to use).

Sep 06 Solution

September 2007

The diagram is 13 x 13, normal style, i.e. with black and white squares, and has cyclic symmetry through ninety degrees. Every letter of the alphabet appears at least once in the solution.

ACROSS

  1. We hear it said: a meeting’s been devised
      With Ronald and with David – we’re surprised! (10)
  7. Opposed official detectives holding a lot of power. (7)
  8. The rogue and the trainee. (5)
10. Fuel problem taking us to front of utility. (6)
12. The skilled roam by ship where landlubbers might sink. (6)
13. System showing sound return given deep consideration. (5)
14. Written during day three, book has surfing passage. (4)
16. Come and check. (4)
17. A good light, with no power, still seems to be on. (5)
19. Do the right thing by halves, perhaps. (6)
20. So annoying, our set ways: they’re sure to upset. (6)
23. Forests, out north – where a giant returns? (5)
24. The recession we always have to have! (3,4)
25. Due to constraints on time, date regrettably put back. (10)

DOWN

  1. Rebel taking new heart after wash. (5)
  2. Halo spinning: below, the minister! (6)
  3. A place may be covered this way. (4)
  4. Covert operations can bring disease. (6)
  5. Leading an early effort to support vultures etc. (7)
  6. Correction only in tandem with reform. (10)
  9. The boss is to inquire into matters of corruption. (10)
11. Stay or go, led by a troublemaker. (5)
12. A gentleman eating an egg at the main residence. (5)
15. Source of pots and pans sounds like location to miss. (7)
17. The odd thanks an article posted in can achieve. (6)
18. Charges cut back for animal like small bear. (6)
21. Gang in the east may form musical group. (5)
22. The stuff that comes with pressure, left-aligned,
      Evoking some reaction in the mind. (4)

September 2007 Grid

TO PRINT THIS GRID:

1. Right-click anywhere on the grid and select Save Image.
2. Open the saved image in Paint and then Print.

(Printing directly from this screen, including by using "Printer Friendly Version",
will result in a grid that is too small to use).

September 2007 Solution

September 2008

ACROSS

  1. Concerned, and feeling far from nice and loose,
      On seeing stirrers put to any use. (6)
  4. Adjustable plates hold 17 etc. together. (6)
  9. Drama spun in small volume about fashion. (5)
10. Primate, excited inside, showing the contrary is false. (7)
12. Water animal, retired, to return. (5)
14. Milk has label for chocolate, perhaps. (4)
16. So long that time is cut into a number of bits. (4)
17. Mother having a good look round in the storehouse. (8)
18. With abbreviation and with fluid conjunction. (3)
19. A bird hearing another short of breath. (3)
22. Linked deception to the establishment. (8)
24. Broad line of display clothing used in window. (4)
26. We make little progress backing favourites! (4)
27. As untidy as soldiers’ quarters? (5)
30. Rascal reunited when no-no learned. (7)
31. One added to most of the environmental tally. (5)
32. Went stealthily and quietly further. (6)
33. In Italian and German, the carpet protector. (6)

DOWN

  1. Sum total worked out without a low maximum. (6)
  2. Battle continuing after most men captured. (7)
  3. Produce of the soil goes here! (4)
  5. Race could be running down. (4)
  6. Getting paid, unknowns substitute. (5)
  7. A team in the beautiful game scores late in the day. (6)
  8. Tangle where you are in trouble. (3)
11. It’s risky, according to one poor soul. (8)
13. Tossed in treats enjoyed by boys of all ages. (5,3)
15. The number prepared to live alone, by the sound of it. (5)
16. Old standby for energy during prohibitions? (5)
20. Farewelling brother, nice kind of toast said. (7)
21. Please struggle out to it! (6)
23. Show up a paper’s inaccuracy. (6)
25. Son with money could be a giant down under. (5)
27. Item on fiddle offered by widow. (4)
28. Push a point through making connections. (3)
29. The boat whose mizzen mast is far astern
      Seems missing out as always on a turn. (4)