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ilippu

5th January 2026, 17:20
Thanks Brendan, I haven't found that video.. ..

but thanks to pythagtemp and throck, it is settled what the 9 words are.

Impressive setting.

Should I be chasing the ones responsible?

It's been raining non-stop for two days, perhaps I will take a break.
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boson

5th January 2026, 17:50
Well, I still haven't solved 7D and 11A but I finally figured out the whole theme.

I had done much of the right hand side but little of the left when the grid revealed a phrase which instantly made me think of a legendary 1980s rap group - a red herring which I see others also picked up on. Having the phrase made solving easier. But ultimately, I had to Google for 14 16 from Jan 2006 and there was an obvious candidate for the 9 word theme. The extra words in the clues confirmed it.
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brendan

5th January 2026, 17:59
Hi Boson,

7d - 3 letter "with" + 2 letter "energy" (although I'd say a case could be made that it can also imply "stamina"!) - definition is "runner" but one has to keep in mind this is a cryptic so 'runner' can refer to different things.

11a - "knight + word from the clue and lastly 2 letter "Germany's rather" - definition is "killer"
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jack aubrey

5th January 2026, 17:59
One of those puzzles that goes from completely impenetrable and seemingly hopelessly clunky to entirely clear and brilliantly constructed in a loudly clanging pdm. Many thanks to Claw
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brendan

5th January 2026, 18:07
Well said Jack.

Thanks to Claw and thanks again to Jono for providing us with an interactive grid, it's always very much appreciated:-)
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boson

5th January 2026, 18:43
Thanks Brendan. I had suspected those were the answers but wasn't ready to commit in particular for 7D as it seemed a bit tenuous.
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pythagtemp

5th January 2026, 19:50
I have to admit to zero knowledge of the thematic material (give me obscure renaissance polyphony, though...) and haven't attempted to identify the "hints as to who was responsible" - any clues welcome!
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ilippu

5th January 2026, 20:35
Looking at it some more, "extremely" helpful in the rubric instructs us to look at the extremes in the grid and the words.....
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buzzybee

5th January 2026, 23:50
An absolute tour de force. Thanks Claw
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boson

6th January 2026, 04:20
I only realized after finishing the puzzle that there are 2 facets to the extra words. I had just looked at one facet. Impressive puzzle craftsmanship!
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