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Thank you Adea that makes perfect sense. Not familiar enough with chess abbreviations it seems…

I was confused by the derogatory slang word, which is always "a ......"!

Finding this very tricky (as per usual) - one general query is it Chambers that is the go to resource for checking definitions/synonyms.
Not finding it very helpful if it is.

Chambers is recommended by setters of barred puzzles, such as the Listener, IQ and EV but, as far as regular cryptic crossword are concerned, I think any of the main dictionaries are deemed adequate.

I think that’s true for the Guardian (i.e. Chambers, Collins and the two Oxfords) but the Times uses only Collins I think. We can also add Gemelo to barred puzzles specifying Chambers.

Thanks both - tried Chambers for a synonym for Criticise, didn’t recognise (had to be Criticize)

It's funny Jono, the second I pressed send on my last post, I immediately thought - "Damn, I forgot Gemelo"!

And you a former winner! 😂

Now come on Jono, you know I don't like to talk about that 😂

That was a tough crossword today

FOI 1d in which I initially put in a wrong answer
LOI 22a

COD 1a 29a 24d 23a 20d a Pauline clue 18d