Guardian Cryptic #29317

2024-02-28

Solve on Guardian →

Across

1a

Service perhaps not available after broadcast decried NHS (7,5)

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8a

See National Guard provide weapons to far-reaching power (4,3)

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9a

Lamb, say, understood encounter as stated (3,4)

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11a

In darts, regularly inspired by drinks, we raise game (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

Even letters (regularly) of dArTs in BEERS (drinks) – people who rouse wild game from woodland, undergrowth, etc, for a shooting party

12a

Died in helping in Canadian sea hazard? (4,3)

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13a

Pollard closely packed trees to expose borders (5)

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14a

Son skipping exclusive exam concerning public choices (9)

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16a

US commando having left instead of 2nd Engineers in recognition of fighting? (5,4)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

GREEN BE[re]T (US commando) with the second – very precise cluing – RE (Royal Engineers) replaced by L (left) – an intermediate award in karate

19a

Second prominent feature of Stalin maybe in store (5)

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21a

Mostly remain with chatty bird, showing capacity for endurance (7)

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23a

Blunt bishop leaves with direct old abbot (7)

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24a

Put favourable slant on two levels about unknown philosopher (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

SPIN (put favourable slant on) + O (Ordinary) A (Advanced) (exam levels) round Z (unknown)

25a

Frolics in punts reported (7)

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26a

Indiana and North Carolina constrained by deepened new autonomy (12)

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Down

1d

An EU administrative centre hanged a criminal (3,4)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

An anagram (criminal) of HANGED A

2d

Forms glossy surface on handle coated with odd bits of silver backing (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

NAME (handle) in (coated with) the odd letters of SiLvEr reversed (backing)

3d

Master cutting extravagantly encased gold inlay on steel (9)

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4d

Spies chest buried by Poles (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

ARK (chest) in N S (poles)

5d

Retreat from all but frightful temperature (7)

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6d

Poorer girl turned up in elevated check (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

DEE (girl – not the first name to spring to mind) in a reversal (turned up) of REIN (check)

7d

Stuns fat South African mountain idiot eating tons (12)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

FLAB (fat) + BERG (South African mountain) + ASS (idiot) round T (tons)

10d

Book chalet, otherwise hotel, given turbulent times (3,9)

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15d

Cut off in middle of Fleet Street having called journalist (9)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

[fl]E[et] + ST (street) + RANG (called) + ED (journalist)

17d

Excuse no onebar should be raised (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

A reversal (raised, in a down clue) of NO I (no one) + SAVE (bar) – the definition seemed a little loose but Chambers (not Collins) gives it

18d

Foul goalkeeper? More or less (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

NO I (this time, the number on the goalkeeper’s shirt) + SOME (more or less)

19d

The same hospital admits musician (7)

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20d

Plant workers going north stuck in possible suitable route? (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

A reversal (going north, in a down clue) of MEN (workers) in A ONE ( A1 – The Great North Road, a possible suitable route)

22d

Saw advantage after removing lead weight, ultimately (5)

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