Inquisitor 1476

[saladdodger]

13a Deathly sign has old ladies stifling uncontrolled sobs. Number of letters not given but i "suspect" it may be 10

19a Journalist probing society dignitary, one making a career

[Neveracrossword]

You're welcome, Ros. I haven't started the gridfill - I've no idea where to begin.

[roslyn251254]

From the crossword forum the middle row is full so 9a, 10a unclued 6 letters , 11a go in this middle row. Now look at the 6 letter unclued in the middle ....look at title "contest" ...6 unclued answers to fill in.....what big contest is on this weekend? Pity I have to leave now...just getting into it!!

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks very much, Ros, that was a great help. I've now got the bottom half complete, but I keep getting a clash at the top. The problem I have is fitting in 1 and 2 Down, they keep interfering with the first Unclued answer.

NB. For those without the paper, this is a very thematic crossword and giving the clues wouldn't help with my query.

[shellraine]

Crossbones, speeder

[shellraine]

Hi Never, there is another letter (from the first down clue) in front of the 7 letter themed unclued first across clue.

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, shelraine. I'm off to disentangle it now!

[hankir]

19d is ootid

[roslyn251254]

yep agree ...........do you need any more to finish hankir?

[hankir]

Hi ros, I got distracted by Azed. Now all done.

I am just getting back to IQ.
Some downs missing. 3,4,7,9,12,17,20.
Any hint is Ok.

Today is Super Bowl day in USA, That could be the 9 letter thematic term.

[roslyn251254]

The contest is actually the 6 nations rugbyhankir
3d i didn't solve it ... it was in the ffilled in gris as garni .... in rag reversed
4d it'a a tree similar to a lime tree. 3 letter word for nothing reversed + 3 letter word for animal home
7d hidden ..it's 4 letters defn evil spirit
9d do, re.... te, do: you need a note + that usual slippery fish reversed
12d a land measure (4 letters) reversed with i inside to give a shrub
17d helpers might be a better defn .. it's 5 letters
20d it's a euphemism that we might say like drat! Times as in multiplying so "by" with the usual 3 letter word inside for entirety.

Sorry if my clues give the game away too easliy... i'm not much good at giving clues.....talking of which .... Azed is calling.....what was it like today?

[hankir]

Thanks ros.

I am totally ignorant about rugby. I will google and learn.
Just one more question. Where does 1 D start? Column 3, row 2?

I will try to fill the grid while watching SuperBowl.
I may be back for advice on grid.
Did you know that Americans consume most food on Thanksgiving but the second day is today.

Azed was a tad tough for me but I solved it. I made a mistake of using alternative spelling at 10a. That set me back a while.

You will sail through it. I have already written my clue and will tweak it tomorrow before sending it.

EV was a breeze. Now need to find time for endgame.

Struggling with Listener.

[roslyn251254]

I am totally ignorant on rugby too - I only remembered it as John was watching England on tv last night.

1d starts on top row column 6, then the unclued 7 letter nation

1d matches up with 20d symmetrically

I found it easiest to start on the middle row - full- then work up / down from that.........it fills very quickly and all falls into place...

Guardian genius tomorrow?

Not looked at Azed or EV yet ,filled in a bit of Listener but not much, out most of today....so I shall be busy tomorrow!

[hankir]

Thanks for you help, ros.
Finished IQ.