Guardian Cryptic #29803

2025-09-18

Solve on Guardian →

Across

1a

Collector of cuttings from Spy and Punch? (5,3)

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5a
26a

Shakespeare’s ghost, clutching battered hat, starts to irritate chess club (6,8)

Generating...
9a

Jovial brother to write back and create harmony (7)

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10a

Ancient mariner might use this to cure 5? (3,4)

Generating...

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

Salt is used to cure ham – see 5ac

11a

Project Endless Bliss (5)

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12a

Wild crocuses adorn son and heir (9)

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13a

Unhealthy popular suspicion surrounded old burial ground (12)

Generating...

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

IN (popular) + SUS (suspicion) round an anagram (ground) of O (old) and BURIAL

17a

Official statement showing how to open security door (5,7)

Generating...

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

A neat double definition

20a

Wreckage of boats caught by rockssubject of old English ballad (5,4)

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22a

New Amsterdam, for instance (5)

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23a

Nuclear missile in possession of 9 (7)

Generating...

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

The trident is the symbol of Neptune’s power – see 9ac

24a

Soldier on holiday with cake decorator (7)

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25a

Comedian perhaps from America abandons usual material (6)

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26a

See 5

Down

1d

Gujarati leader and two successors (6)

Generating...

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

G[ujurati] AND H I (letters succeeding g) – plus a reference to Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv, successive Prime Ministers of India, who were not related to Mahatma Gandhi – clever clue

2d

Draw a rotten apple (6)

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3d

Regimen ruling out stuffing; blocking fries and sweet drinks (9)

Generating...

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

R[egime]N in SAUTEES (fries)

4d

Politicians, without hint of shame, engaged in out-and-out exaggeration (13)

Generating...

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

STATE[s]MEN (politicians) minus s[hame] in OVERT (out-and-out)

6d

Third part of Gormenghast missing from book shelf (5)

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7d

Teacher’s sexy selfie (8)

Generating...

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

HEAD’S (teacher’s) + HOT (sexy)

8d

Moment day-tripper lost heart to bus driver (8)

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10d

Conductor interacting with field, releasing current, may result in electrical discharge (8,5)

Generating...

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

An anagram (interacting) of CONDUCTOR + F[i]ELD (minus i – current) – an occluded front may result in lightning (electrical discharge)

14d

Put out unwrapped gifttactful to dispense with show (9)

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15d

Both leads quit Top Gun musical comedy (8)

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16d

To a large extent artificer, am I still artisan? (8)

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18d

Bird’s eggs served up on time in Paris and Rome (6)

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19d

Clergyman ensconced in motorcycle rickshaw (6)

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21d

This particular thank you letter (5)

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