Independent on Sunday 997 by Quixote (22 Mar 2009)

Some excellent misdirection in the definition parts in this puzzle. Solving time, 22 mins.

* = anagram

ACROSS

1 CHEESY Double definition, Leicester being a type of cheese. Clue wording clearly pointing to a adjective.

4 S (CAFF)OLD

9 ACT(I)ON

10 MUENSTER (Tum’s ne’er)* A French cheese

11 STRATUM cf Stratus

13 TOP(P)ERS

14 CONTROVERSIAL (Into car lovers)* good misdirection with ‘vexed’

17 INCONTESTABLE (stable not nice)* ditto with ‘watertight’

20 ROAD MAP Cryptic definition way = r0ad

21 TAN GENT

23 PO I (TIER)S Battle in 100 Years’ War

24 M ‘IDDEN

25 DI’S PERSE(cuted)

26 BAR RE(a)L

DOWN

1 C (LASS AC)T

2 ENTER ON

3 SCO(U)T

5 COUNTER FE IT Good misdirection forge (vb)

6 FINE PRINT

7 OATMEAL (AA motel)*

8 D(U)RESS u = third letter of clubs

12 MOVING PARTS strap = (parts)*

15 RECOMBINE (one crime b)*

16 SENT INEL (line)*

17 ITALICS Cryptic definition

18 B(L)ENDER

19 TRIP O D

22 NAIRA Hidden reversal.