As usual definitions are underlined in bold italics, {deletions and substitutions are in curly brackets} and [anagrinds, containment, reversal and other indicators in square ones]. “Aural wordplay” is in quotation marks. I now use a tilde sign ~ to indicate an insertion point in containment clues. I usually omit all reference to juxtaposition indicators unless there is a specific point that requires clarification.Definitions underlined in bold italics, (Abc)* indicating anagram of Abc, deletions and [] other indicators.
 Across |
|
|---|---|
| 1 | Bit of zinc is easily cut into (6) |
| INCISE – Hidden in [bit of] {z}INC IS E{asily} | |
| 4 | Drunk was collared by elderly assassin (6) |
| OSWALD – Anagram [drunk] of WAS contained [collared] by O~LD (elderly). Supposedly shot JFK. | |
| 8 | European swimmer outside hotel (7) |
| FINNISH – F~ISH (swimmer) containing [outside] INN (hotel) | |
| 10 | Ski resort area almost finished (5) |
| ASPEN – A (area) SPEN{t} (finished) [almost] | |
| 11 | Fish and rook in quarrel (5) |
| SPRAT – R (rook) contained by [in] SP~AT (quarrel) | |
| 12 | Unrestrained tirade involving a politician (7) |
| RAMPANT – R~ANT (tirade) containing [involving] A + MP (politician) | |
| 13 | Duke wobbly in market town (9) |
| DUNSTABLE – D (duke), UNSTABLE (wobbly). This place has come up before and is very near to where I live. Contrary to its pleasant sounding description in the clue it’s a bit of a dump (with apologies to anyone who lives there). | |
| 17 | Demand for alimony? Speak boldly (7) |
| EXCLAIM – CLAIM against one’s EX | |
| 19 | Explosive component strangely inert (5) |
| NITRE – Anagram [strangely] of INERT | |
| 20 | Fat covering one landowner (5) |
| LAIRD – LA~RD (fat) containing [covering] I (one) | |
| 21 | Effect of solar battery? (7) |
| SUNBURN – Cryptic, I assume, though I don’t see what battery has to do with burn. | |
| 22 | Season with Milan football team (6) |
| WINTER – W (with), INTER (Milan football team) | |
| 23 | High praise for Hope (6) |
| ASPIRE – Anagram [high] of PRAISE | |
| Down |
|
|---|---|
| 1 | Info short on employment for soak (6) |
| INFUSE – INF{o} [short], USE (employment) | |
| 2 | Clash: accord not in it unfortunately (13) |
| CONTRADICTION – Anagram [unfortunately] of ACCORD NOT IN IT | |
| 3 | Small glove taken (7) |
| SMITTEN – S (small), MITTEN (glove) | |
| 5 | Shepherd initially caring for flock (5) |
| SWARM – S{hepherd} [initially], WARM (caring) | |
| 6 | Three stars from Catharine cavorting with Paul (5,8) |
| ALPHA CENTAURI – Anagram [cavorting] of CATHARINE PAUL | |
| 7 | See wrapping on gift (6) |
| DONATE – D~ATE (see) containing [wrapping] ON | |
| 9 | Satirical work ruined this dream (4,5) |
| HARD TIMES – Anagtram [ruined] of THIS DREAM. Didn’t know it is satirical. | |
| 14 | Fruit bats (7) |
| BANANAS – Two meanings | |
| 15 | Chicken like a canary (6) |
| YELLOW – Maybe two meanings or the second is a hint | |
| 16 | Seneca spoiled attempt to raise spirits (6) |
| SEANCE – Anagram [spoiled] of SENECA | |
| 18 | Confuse daughter twice introduced to beer (5) |
| ADDLE – D+D (daughter twice) contained by [introduced to] A~LE (beer)[ | |
Took me ages – nearly 90 minutes in about 3 sittings- and still didn’t finish correctly. Was convinced the ski clue was to do with the Alps so put ALPEN in but knew it was probably wrong! All good apart from one letter!! Thank you Wurm and Jackkt
19 minutes. Barely adequate given the Snitch score of 93. A long week in prospect.
90 + minutes on 15 x 15 and still 3 short.
Awful performance. I completed Saturday puzzle relatively easily and thought I was making progress. Should have known better ☹️
9:56. Like Jack, this felt harder than it should have. Enjoyable puzzle though. good mix from the often seen LAIRD to the rather more obscure OSWALD.
DNF with several missing due to missing GK. OSWALD as an assassin?ASPEN as a ski resort? HARD TIMES as a satirical work? ALPHA CENTAURI as a triple star? At least I knew NITRE.
Oh and “high” as an anagram indicator.
Very much too clever for me.
Surprised at folk not knowing about Alpha Centauri. As the Vogons said as they destroyed the Earth “If you don’t take an interest in local affairs, that’s your lookout” …
9.05, so hardish
Never seen High as anagram indicator !