Independent Cryptic #12250

2026-01-12

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Across

1a

Archetypal bachelor pressed by heartless adversary on show (10)

Generating...

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

(B{achelor} in ri[v]al) on prove(=show)

6a

Join main motorway (4)

flowerflowerflower
9a

Terribly posh area besieged by disorderly rabble entering city (10)

Generating...

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

U(=posh from U/non-U) + ((a{rea} in rabble*) in N{ew} Y{ork})

10a

Jay bird's prominent feature (4)

Generating...

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

J(=jay, a word sometimes used to refer to the letter) + owl(=bird).

12a

Representative keeps fighting with sponsor (12)

flowerflowerflower
15a

Playful creature finally brought teacher back for coffee (9)

Generating...

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

(Otter(=playful creature) + [brough]t + sir(=teacher))<

17a

One pursuing Grand Knight with iron weapon (5)

Generating...

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

(I after (g{rand} N(=knight in chess)) + Fe(=iron in periodic table)

18a

Throw out scientist's conclusion after artifice is discovered (5)

Generating...

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

[Scientis]t after [d]evic[e](=dis-covered artifice)

19a

Enrage four couples when speaking out? (9)

Generating...

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

Hom of incense eight(=four couples)

20a

Foolishly forget Idaho contains hospital providing cure for alcoholics? (12)

Generating...

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

(Forget Idaho)* around h{ospital}. The question mark is required for the def because it's not a cure many professionals in the field would recommend.

24a

Hotelier picked up court orders (4)

Generating...

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

Hom of writs

25a

Creator of institution admits liberal journalist struggled (10)

Generating...

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

(Founder(=creator of institution) around l{iberal}) + ed{itor}

26a

Howl about disappearing trick (4)

Generating...

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

Sc[re]am. Re(=about) removed(=disappearing).

27a

Perennial problem keeps retired secretary and doctor working (10)

Generating...

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

(Snag around (PA<(=personal assistant) + d{octo}r)) + on(=working, as in "the computer is on")

Down

1d

Regularly applying product gives you seductive look (4)

Generating...

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

Odd letters of p r o d u c t

2d

Balls-up in Middlesbrough! (4)

flowerflowerflower
3d

Chagrin of former primate maintaining small allotment (12)

Generating...

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

((Ex(=former) + ape(=primate)) around s{mall}) + ration(=allotment)

4d

Empty pool bordering lake (5)

Generating...

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

Bank(=pool) around l{ake}. I think the meaning of bank here is in games where a player draws from a reserve (or pool) of cards or pieces which is called the bank.

5d

American is catching on following everybody's hints (9)

Generating...

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

((US(=American) + is) around(=catching) on)) after all(=everybody)

7d

Self-important GI locates bombs planted around island (10)

Generating...

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

(GI locates)* around i{sland}

8d

Physician broken by stay in A&E feigned illness (10)

Generating...

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

MD(=physician, short for Doctor of Medicine) around (linger(=stay) in A & E)

11d

Classification code originally adopted by old Beijing religious community (12)

Generating...

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

(C[ode] in Peking(=old name of Beijing)) + order(=religious community e.g. an order of monks)

13d

Rookies putting location before brass (10)

Generating...

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

Green(=location, as in "village green") + horns(=brass instruments)

14d

Like Pepys essentially diarist cultivated houseplant (10)

Generating...

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

As(=like) + [Pe]p[ys] + diarist*

16d

Hearing about hollow triumph over Norway in competition (9)

Generating...

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

(Trial(=hearing) around t[riump]h) + o{ver} + N{orway}

21d

Supply Ecstasy and crack (5)

flowerflowerflower
22d

Revolutionary outfit show off (4)

flowerflowerflower
23d

God of childhood innocence (4)

flowerflowerflower