Unsolved clues include, but are not restricted to,

1. Small animal said to be run over by learner driver (6) (me)
2. It's a selfish pleasure to range before the King with the others in tune (5,3,6) (also me - and Raak was somehow along the right lines, but way off at the same time)
3. Twisted small mammal eats a chopped nut (6) (Raak)
4. Presume the leader is back in place (8) (Blob)

Perhaps no new clues for a while?

Meanwhile, a new Private Eye fell onto my doormat this morning. I'll probably attempt the crossword at the weekend. I do so enjoy the smutty clues.

[Raak] (1) PURLIEUS ?
[rab] (3) SPANK THE MONKEY ? If not, then Coat

Ah - sorry - I now realise that Darren had solved Raak's first (and that mine was wrong) - if I'd read rab's simmulpost then I'd've realised sooner.

[Blob] You're bang on (ahem) with rab's: SPAN (range) K (king) THEM (the others) ON KEY (in tune).

Sorry, couldn't resist it!

Please can someone explain why [hidden answer] ENTICE is the probable solution to this clue 'Person bound to learn to sacrifice pawn and rook to offer temptation (6). Letters E_T_C_ already secured. [The Times Crossword - Weds]. Damned if I can work it out.

[Chalky] Here is the explanation: Person bound to learn=PRENTICE. Sacrifice pawn (P) and rook (R) to leave ENTICE. To offer temptation=ENTICE (straight def). There you go.

Ah - many thanks, kind sir. Didn't realise that PRENTICE was aphetic for APPRENTICE and if I hadn't been so lazy a quick peek in the dictionary would have told me that.

This crossword pretty much did itself last night, but I don't fully understand two of them. (Answers in square brackets).

• Archer's thing? Yes, with or without dash (12) [BULLSHITTING]
• US would-be persuaders of the continuing need for persuaders (3,5) [GUN LOBBY]

The former has an obvious main definition - I don't get the device. The latter looks like a single definition, but I just don't get it.

Meanwhile the same puzzle includes (8) (Geddit?) which should be obvious in the light of our recent discussions.