| OPENINGMOVE | Queen's gambit, e.g., and a hint to each circled imperative |
| DRAMA | "The Queen's Gambit," e.g. |
| NETFLIXORIGINAL | 'The Queen's Gambit," e.g. |
| ITSALONGSTORY | "We could be here for a bit...," and a hint to each circled word |
| SIXPACKOFBEER | Party purchase ... or a hint to each circled letter set |
| WHEELOF | With 37-Across, card in a tarot deck, and a hint to each circled letter set |
| OPENING | King's Gambit, e.g. |
| MIXEDMEDIA | Artwork using both paint and collage, e.g. ... and a hint to this puzzle's circled letters |
| MIXEDNUMBERS | 5A½ and 8A¾, e.g. ... and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| FLIPPHONE | Motorola Razr, e.g., and a hint to each set of circles |
| CODESWITCH | Say "See you manana," e.g. ... and a hint to each set of circles |
| BEDSPREAD | Quilt, e.g. ... and a hint to the circled letters |
| TIEBREAKER | Overtime, e.g., and a hint to what spans the two words of each starred answer |
| TIGHTENDS | Travis Kelce and George Kittle, e.g., and a hint to the starred clues' answers |
| AUCTIONEERSCALL | Sold, e.g., and a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| POKER | Stud, e.g., and a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| DWARFPLANET | Ceres, e.g. (and a hint to something in this puzzle) |
| MOVIEELEMENTS | Plot, character, lighting, e.g., and a hint to the starred answers |
| MONEYBACK | Change, e.g., and a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| BTWENTYNINE | Enola Gay, e.g. (and a hint to this puzzle's unusual feature) |
