Guardian Cryptic #29949

2026-03-09

Solve on Guardian →

Across

9a

Spread moist leaves out (5)

flowerflowerflower
10a

Top female Republican with manic air enters contest (9)

Generating...

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

( R (Republican) with *(air) [anag:manic]) enters MATCH (“contest”)

11a

Department head in charge of exclusive sea food (5,4)

flowerflowerflower
12a

Old Man Time’s desire (5)

flowerflowerflower
13a

Administrative division or dividing branch (7)

flowerflowerflower
15a

Divorcee with attitude: dad’s first to be denounced! (7)

flowerflowerflower
17a

Tree having less on top is topped (5)

Generating...

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

(b) ALDER (“having less on top”) is topped

18a
3d

Stop druggie being ultimate beneficiary of software (3,4)

flowerflowerflower
20a

Pan’s treasure about to be returned? (5)

flowerflowerflower
22a

Disputed area’s reported money, pure and simple (7)

flowerflowerflower
25a

Inclined to prattle? Try second drink (friendly tip) (7)

Generating...

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

GO (“try”) + S (second) + SIP (“drink”) + (friendl) Y [ tip ]

26a

Mastermind introduction of baby shower (5)

Generating...

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

[ introduction of ] B (aby) + RAIN (“shower”)

27a

Crafty assessor of tax, one covered by scheme (4,5)

Generating...

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

TEST (“tax”) + I (one) covered by PLOT (“scheme”) A test pilot asseses (air)craft, so could be described as a “crafty assessor”

30a

Virtue of one-time payment made by conquered country? (9)

flowerflowerflower
31a

Cat’s powerless to make sudden leap (5)

Generating...

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

[ powerless ] (i.e. missing P (power)) (p) OUNCE (“make a sudden leap”)

Down

1d

‘Doctor of Retraction’ gets cross (4)

Generating...

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

<=(Dr. (doctor) + OF ) [ retraction ]

2d

Given a fancy coat, delivers bananas (8)

flowerflowerflower
3d

See 18 Across

4d

Drink timeoh, so riotous! (8)

flowerflowerflower
5d

One subsequently meets earth goddess (6)

Generating...

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

A (“one”) + THEN (“subsequently”) meets E (earth)

6d

Try to sell briars as tuning aids? (5,5)

flowerflowerflower
7d

Wine, gallons, at parties (6)

flowerflowerflower
8d

Attempt to extract everything from onion (4)

flowerflowerflower
13d

Champion outside left, pretty grim (5)

Generating...

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

BACK (“champion”) outside L (left)

14d

Realistic reproduction of Roman tunic (10)

flowerflowerflower
16d

Consider bylaws essentially old hat (5)

flowerflowerflower
19d

Have a hippie liking for drugs Edward’s taken in (8)

Generating...

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

DIG (“have a hipppie liking for”) + Es (ecstasy, so “drugs”) + TED (Edward)

21d

Paltry thieves start plundering (8)

flowerflowerflower
23d

Cabin aired by working seaman? (6)

flowerflowerflower
24d

Good to break poor tutor’s rough spirit (6)

Generating...

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

G (good) to break *(tutor) [anag: poor ]

26d

Tack produced by supporter at United’s final (4)

Generating...

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

BRA (“supporter”) at (unite) D [ ‘s final]

28d

Kitty gets wind up (4)

Generating...

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

<=LOOP (“wind”, up )

29d

Plane possibly needs way to ditch wings (4)

Generating...

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

(s) TREE (t) (“way”, t o ditch wings )