Difficulty of a puzzle is determined by a multitude of factors. It starts before the setter even enters a word – with the grid. Regardless of what follows in terms of word selection and clue complexity, certain grids will always lead to harder puzzles. Those that have many answers with missing initials and those that contain slots where more than half of the answers can’t be obtained from crossing letters, pose a built-in difficulty from the off. These grid variables, of course, can be considered as part of a setter’s armoury, and deployed accordingly. (As long as a setter has thought about what they are doing, it’s alright with me). Some publications have strict rules on what they consider acceptable grids and take the choice of grid out of the setter’s hands by supplying a standard set.
| Across | Answers and Clues | Explanations |
| 1 | PICKS UP | |
| Young boxer, say, boxing sick, somehow gradually improves (5,2) | PUP outside anagram of SICK | |
| 5 | RECESS | |
| Break up broken screens with nails at the front removed (6) | Anagram of SCREENS minus N | |
| 9 | RUMEN | |
| Code of football people stomach (5) | RU + MEN | |
| 10 | TANGERINE | |
| One tucked into brown and green variegated fruit (9) | I inside (TAN + anagram of GREEN) | |
| 11 | FOOTPATH | |
| Fellow developed photo at pedestrian course (8) | F + anagram of PHOTO AT | |
| 12 | WINTER | |
| Finish first term before the final season (6) | WIN + (TER)m | |
| 14 | MULTIPROCESSOR | |
| Cruel impostors wrecked a powerful digital computer (14) | Anagram of CRUEL IMPOSTORS | |
| 16 | SWEETHEART DEAL | |
| Weeder that worked bound by secure work arrangement (10,4) | Anagram of WEEDER THAT inside SEAL | |
| 20 | PALACE | |
| Spot occupied by a very nice house (6) | PLACE outside A | |
| 22 | JAPANESE | |
| Father wearing jeans fashioned by East Asian people (8) | PA inside anagram of JEANS + E | |
| 24 | LUBRICATE | |
| Reduce friction of hybrid car built close to Melbourne (9) | Anagram of CAR BUILT + melbourn(E) | |
| 25 | GLADE | |
| Pleased with cheque finally clearing (5) | GLAD + E | |
| 26 | MANGLE | |
| Machine that uses rollers to press and crush (6) | Double Definition | |
| 27 | TATTERS | |
| Shreds spuds holding end of implement (7) | TATERS outside implemen(T) | |
| Down | Answers and Clues | Explanations |
| 1 | PURIFY | |
| Clean pig’s heart thrown into fresh fry-up (6) | p(I)G inside anagram of FRY-UP | |
| 2 | COMPOSURE | |
| Coolness damages firm (9) | COMPO + SURE | |
| 3 | SANDPIT | |
| Sit around and start to plan a children’s play area (7) | SIT outside [AND + (P)lan] | |
| 4 | POTATO PEEL | |
| Preserve a very good fish and vegetable slice (6,4) | POT + A + TOP + EEL | |
| 5 | RENT | |
| Split up money demanded by letter (4) | Double Definition; LETTER – one who lets out | |
| 6 | CREVICE | |
| Opening chapter on corruption (7) | C + RE + VICE | |
| 7 | SHIFT | |
| Change hydrogen in filter (5) | H inside SIFT | |
| 8 | BEARER | |
| Elements in test-tube are reacting with agent (6) | test-tuBE ARE Reacting | |
| 13 | TOURNAMENT | |
| Our reputation is maintained in explosive contest (10) | (OUR + NAME) inside TNT | |
| 15 | SHAREWARE | |
| Computer programs are linked to conflict in female’s case (9) | (ARE + WAR) inside SHE | |
| 16 | SUPPLY | |
| Contribute in a flexible way (6) | Double Definition | |
| 17 | TACKING | |
| Catamaran, set up by leading performer, is changing direction under sail (7) | CAT reversed + KING | |
| 18 | DRAUGHT | |
| Doctor treated a thug with a dose of medicine (7) | DR + anagram of A THUG | |
| 19 | REVELS | |
| Parties always backed by lobbyists on both sides (6) | EVER reversed + L)obbyist(S | |
| 21 | LIBRA | |
| House bishop in old capital of Italy (5) | B inside LIRA | |
| 23 | FACE | |
| Come up against fine champion (4) | F + ACE |
