Square Chase—Roll Initiative

[oldjudge]

A new variety cryptic from Steve Mossberg. I loved the concept and the answer. For those doing the puzzle the numeration in 15D is wrong, it should be (7). Can’t say that I fully understand the word play on 26D and not sure the word play on 41A makes complete sense either.

[Richard B.]

I found some of the wordplay quirky but overall a good challenge.

Oldjudge says “Can’t say that I fully understand the word play on 26D and not sure the word play on 41A makes complete sense either.”
For 26D I anagrammed “late” and “sox” then removed (retired) the “a.” For 41A I had G ($1000) followed by I’m (Steve’s, as in Steve’s a setter = I’m a setter) followed by let (rent).

[oldjudge]

Those make sense—thanks Richard

[docison]

Liked this one from Steve. Thought the payoff was worth the effort to get there.