11-across in this puzzle – CORPORATION OF OLD, POSSIBLY? (4,3) – is a cryptic definition, not a clue type I use a lot. I’ve talked about these before: it’s rare for such a clue to be solved without some or all of the cross letters because a solver has no idea this isn’t a “standard” two-part cryptic clue until all normal solving options have been exhausted. They do provide the most “aha” moments though, which is why some people really like them. This one is particularly difficult because I’ve used two irregular definitions in the clue. CORPORATION, meaning a pot belly, and OLD, referring to a style of beer.
So how do I judge how far to go, how obscure, how oblique, and what expectations do I have regarding the extent to which solvers will go to solve my puzzles? First I make a conscious effort to keep cryptic definitions to a minimum – you won’t see one in every puzzle. Next I limit my cryptic definitions to my own realm of knowledge, that is, I wouldn’t construct one that I couldn’t solve without checking references. (BTW, I’m no word-geek with a huge vocab, in fact, English was my worst subject at school – explains a lot, doesn’t it?). Of course, that doesn’t mean everyone will be able to do the same, and that leads me to my last point: solvers should expect to need to check at least a few things in major references, as I believe learning the odd thing from a cryptic crossword is worthwhile, and it’s not possible for solvers to remember everything about a word or term that they have encountered in their lifetime.
I often get asked about the use of references when solving cryptics. I use them when compiling, so it’s only fair solvers use them when solving.
| Across | Answers and Clues | Explanations |
| 1 | RIGHTS | |
| Just claims equipment before start of term in high school (6) | RIG + (T)ERM in HS | |
| 4 | WHITECAP | |
| Crested wave reformed with speed in the opposite direction (8) | Anagram of WITH + PACE reversed | |
| 9 | FINLAND | |
| European country’s computer system installed in Discovery (7) | LAN inside FIND | |
| 11 | BEER GUT | |
| Corporation of old, possibly? (4,3) | Cryptic Definition (“OLD” is a type of beer) | |
| 12 | REASSIGN | |
| Give a new job to fool in command (8) | ASS inside REIGN | |
| 13 | SHORTS | |
| Clothing orders filled by haberdasher primarily (6) | SORTS outside (H)ABERDASHER | |
| 16 | PROCRASTINATED | |
| Specialist ran acid test oddly delayed (14) | PRO + anagram of RAN ACID TEST | |
| 19 | DECRIMINALISED | |
| Made legal disclaimer in revised edition (14) | Anagram of (DISCLAIMER IN) + ED | |
| 21 | UNSUNG | |
| Star shielded by gun strangely is not recognised (6) | SUN inside anagram of GUN | |
| 22 | PHOTOFIT | |
| Phone leader of Opposition to attack identification of suspect (8) | PH + (O)PPOSITION + TO + FIT | |
| 25 | THIMBLE | |
| Broken limb captured by the digital screen (7) | Anagram of LIMB inside THE | |
| 27 | TIE DOWN | |
| Fix that is installed finally in place (3,4) | [IE + INSTALLE(D)] inside TOWN | |
| 28 | DONATING | |
| Giving fellow silver-plated container? (8) | DON + (AG outside TIN) | |
| 29 | PESTLE | |
| Sort of steel adding finish to power grinder (6) | Anagram of STEEL after P (abbreviation for power) | |
| Down | Answers and Clues | Explanations |
| 1 | REFORM | |
| Referee or mediator, at the outset, is better? (6) | REF + OR + (M)EDIATOR | |
| 2 | GENOA | |
| One may be hoisted in middle of navigation? (5) | ONE reversed inside NAVI(GA)TION | |
| 3 | TRANSACTION | |
| An actress ultimately entering purchase deal (11) | [AN + ACTRES(S)] inside TRACTION | |
| 5 | HUBS | |
| Last passenger from coach (bus) switched transport centres (4) | COAC(H) + anagram of BUS | |
| 6 | TEE | |
| A golfer hits from here and there alternately (3) | ThErE | |
| 7 | CIGARETTE | |
| Quote about blend of great tobacco in consumable form (9) | CITE outside anagram of GREAT | |
| 8 | PUT ASIDE | |
| Re-issued update is kept in reserve (3,5) | Anagram of UPDATE IS | |
| 10 | DOGMATIC | |
| Opinionated male chasing scoundrel, a jerk (8) | (M after DOG) + A + TIC | |
| 14 | HANG IN THERE | |
| Don’t give up Maori feast on Australian soil at this time (4,2,5) | HANGI + NT + HERE | |
| 15 | STRAW HAT | |
| Star distributed “What is Capital Investment?” (5,3) | (Anagram of STAR) + WHAT | |
| 17 | RECESSION | |
| Show’s leading character in chaotic encore is falling back (9) | (S)HOW inside anagram of ENCORE IS | |
| 18 | ADJUSTED | |
| Good drug in supplement made a difference (8) | (JUST + E) inside ADD | |
| 20 | AT ONCE | |
| Heavy weight grabbed by champion without hesitation (2,4) | ACE outside TON | |
| 23 | FLOUT | |
| Mock loud person who’s ill-mannered (5) | F + LOUT | |
| 24 | MEAN | |
| Represent mercenary (4) | Double Definition | |
| 26 | BIT | |
| A drilling tool gripped (3) | Double Definition |
Hi David
Love the tutorials, they are terrific.
First time in ages I did not solve last weeks puzzle.
22A, could not get past photoset, it was never going to happen after that.
Await with interest, info about your moves after week 26.
regards & best wishes – Richard Sternes
G’day David, 29A was the only one I had a problem with. The anagram of “steel” was clear enough but I was looking to the finish to power “R” rather than the begining to power “P”. But then again we can’t make it too easy.
Keep up the good work and I am also looking forward with interest to see what you have in store for us after number 26.
I loved the clever definitions in 11ac, 25ac and 15dn. And, of course, the &lit in 2dn.
I do like the cryptic definitions clues. They are more enjoyable if you are familiar with the slang but as long as there are enough cross letters to guess what it might mean, researching is fun also.