Across
Igor trained on piano, a Russian speciality (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
At least the wordplay is clear enough: an anagram (trained) of IGOR tacked on to P[iano]. There are numerous variations in spelling, style and nationality of this fried bun (in Russia пирог). I’m more familiar with Polish pirogi, boiled savoury dumplings.
Periodically green couple use less energy after 1/12 (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
That 1/12 suggested something to do with (say) dozenth, but it’s a date, DEC[ember] 1, followed by DUO, couple and USE without the E[nergy].
Large tasteless house from 1900 redeveloped as "old" inn (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
Last (and only previous) time we had this in a daily (a year ago) I suggested Mar-a-Lago might qualify as an example, but apparently McMansions tend to be smaller and in taste-free estate developments. Whatever, it’s clever wordplay: 1900 delivers MCM and the rest is an anagram (redeveloped) of AS OLD INN
Bed for homeless surfer? Right, up to a point (2,3)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
Sofa surfing is a thing, bedding down temporarily in mates’ places while otherwise of no fixed abode. SOFA takes R[ight]
Celebrity touching this minute kitten's tail (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
Touching gives (concerning, about) RE, this minute is NOW, add the “tail” of [kitte]N.
Coastal road that's lovely, with a small market (8)
Taking nut, fix IKEA lamp to cabin's exterior (12)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
As in a nut who takes things. An anagram (fix, though I didn’t fully work it out when solving) of IKEA LAMP TO and the outside letters of C[abi]N
Course's marker showing skill in smart job (8,4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
ART for skill within STING for smart and POST from job.
Almost right, racket shortened as mid-winter approaches? (6,2)
Petrifying woman alarmed US Airbnb hosts (6)
Two eating butter sent back fine Japanese dishes (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
More roman numerals, II for two containing RAM for butter (a beast that buts) reversed (sent back). Chambers gives “a type of Japanese porcelain, richly decorated in red, green and blue”.
Without any price, free of charge (9)
Heavenly secretary tormented sad liar (9)
Shirt without buttons nursery cleared out is extra small (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
A TEE shirt has no buttons, and if you clear out the word N[urser]Y you get the remaining letters.
Down
Oxford college set up member in Strasbourg out of funds (8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
M[ember of the] E[uropean] P[arliament] reversed (set up) plus BROKE for out of funds. Perhaps someone here can be persuaded to reminisce about their time there.
What's left except for a souvenir? (8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
What’s left is the REMAINDER. Remove the A
Long story forgotten, including its twist? (4,4,3,4)
Platform helps with AI being delayed (4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
Helps are AIDS, drop the AI down below the D.
Prisoner thought the experience was hell! (8,2)
Getting free delighted fish in dark twisted net (15)
Staff shop for booze which Charlie cracks open (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
Chambers’ 13th definition “a group of staff occupying such a place” will have to do. The colloquial shop for booze is rendered colloquially as OFFIE (off licence). Insert C for Charlie.
Ice starts to trouble experienced brothers on the climb (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
The first letters of T[rouble] E[xperienced] plus BROS for brothers all reversed (on the climb)
Small planet full of holes dug for extracting slime (10)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
S[mall} MARS (the planet) contains MINES, holes dug for extracting.
Settle report of explosion you heard recently (8)
Homeless shelters buy up military art (8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
STRAY for homeless (like feral cats) gives space to GET for buy reversed (up). Fresh from strategists yesterday.
Be careful with bread sons pinch into shape (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
Bread in the sense of money. S[ons] plus CRIMP for pinch into shape.
Sexy character's promises likely to come to nothing (3,3)
Sound from butchered birds is horrible (4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
FOWL is an acceptable plural matching butchered birds, and sounds like our answer. I suspect this is causing errors on the leaderboard.
Type letters or click words in the clue