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Enigmatic Variations No. 1239: What’s at Stake?

In 22 clues, the wordplay leads to the answer and an additional letter not to be entered into the grid; in clue order, these spell out an interpretation to be placed on the grid. The remaining clues contain an additional letter which must be removed before solving, always leaving behind a real word; in clue order, these spell out what must be highlighted in the completed grid, and why five of the 17 cells involved must be distinguished from the other 12. The completed grid also contains a thematic comment that identifies the distinguishing feature, which is, after all, WHAT’S AT STAKE. One answer is an abbreviation, and Chambers Dictionary (2014) is recommended; one answer is to be found in the Oxford Dictionary of English.

ACROSS

1             Avoiding military arrayed in nines?  (6)

5             Old statue – Kiss Head of Fox – by unknown artist (6)

10           Resident of Moorish land a help when adopting Arab instrument (6)

11           Spanish city contended in the same round (6)

12           Sailor almost cracked, giving moan in jungle (6)

15           Something about bounce keeping fielder initially deprived (6)

17           Wagers Rector will have long-standing companion (4)

19           Former name of island road with distant sound of traffic? (4)

20           Fellow nobleman, a rival to Falstaff?  (4)

21           Love pond identified in ancient text (4)

23           Dean, in the main, backed transmitters (7)

28           Little security about money and items sent electronically (7)

29           Seem to go to far side of very large city (4)

30           Sound of cat? Birds start to create (4)

32           Insolent tantrum about rune (4)

35           Most of sea air recalled in valleys flooded by sea (4)

38           Sour team backing desperate way to access computer (6, two words)                      

39           Shout’s reverberation, endless over Italian city (6)

40           Window nearly elevated beside maple tree (6)

41           Electrical line has to enter computer connection (6)

42           Adolescent chasing nit for material (6)

43           Recent decline occurring in early part of day (6)

DOWN

1             Unregenerate scoundrel found in part of South Africa (7)

2             The French course least upset, as regards training (8)

3             It’s used to cut a baffle (4)

4             Leaders of irate Americans are faulting Commonwealth military (4)

6             Add words to old part of speech about English avoiding fight (7)

7             Slay opponent – it’ll improve your surroundings (6)

8             Area upset after one’s heading off? At no time (4)

9             Observe riparian dweller casting line (4)

13           Expresses disbelief in god I mentioned in dissertations (8)

14           Close asteroid’s name starts to vex observers (3)

16           NY building mostly awing new arrival that’s entered (8)

18           Irish river not reaching end (4)

22           US soldier, with exaggerated care, is beginning to emulate and follow a European style (8)

24           Desire very fresh air when entering prom (7)

25           Ready for African Lake to get dam (4)

26           Instrument starts with the Higgs (particle once lost in circulation) (7)

27           Increasing anger not good in controllers of one’s destiny (6)

31           Found a plaice when picking up net finally (3)

33           Makes like cats no longer – makes like cats and dogs (4)

34           Brand promoted with limited-time trial (4)

36           Well holed, prompting long-distance call once (4)

37           Rising doctor keeping up skill of the old customs (4)

PDF of puzzle

Solution

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This is the website of Paul Henderson, who sets crosswords for The Independent (London) under the pseudonyms Phi, for the Daily Telegraph (London) under the pseudonym Kcit, and anonymously for The Times (London) amongst many other outlets. For a more detailed biography see the About Me page.

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