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ChrisE
Re 23a - Buzzybee has given an explanation for the apparent mismatch. I had a slightly different one: a usage of monarchs and other high-ups such as bishops. Either way, I don’t much like it!

We are not amused ;-)

Very good, jono! We certainly aren’t.
I’m not sure I’d call it a misdirection, as buzzybee has suggested, but if it is I don’t think it’s a very good one.
For me, a good misdirection is one that causes a grin (often rueful) when the penny drops. This one just caused a ‘well I s’ppose’ so’ shrug.
Sorry: I’m not usually this negative. It’s getting hot again 😏

I'm still a million miles away from getting 2d. Is there any chance of a bit more of a hint? No-one wants spoilers, I realise, so don't worry if not.

2d is definition by example

…and it parses as 3 (reversal),1.

Aha! I thought that must be the answer - but now get the parsing. Thanks, Rogissimo and jono.

I enjoyed this because of the convoluted and off-centre nature of many parsings. Being a crossword Philistine the many awkward surfaces didn't bother me so much.

Funny misdirection in 6: I wrote in the solution, but kept thinking of an alternative nine-letter dance, from the same geographic region, which shares more words with the solution. After some panic the simpler dance finally came to mind.

Interesting. Clearly quite a sharp division of opinion on this puzzle. For me, PK is close to my favourite compiler, possibly second only to Enigmatist. Used to be Paul, but I find myself increasingly irritated by his very long multi-part anagrams and extended cross referencing.

I spent too long fixated on the wrong dance at 6 too, geeker!
They’re not quite from the same region though.