This crossword No. 28140 clues and answers were published on Fri 22 May 2020 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 28140 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Favour first of entrants in advance : BEFORE
4-across – Eagerly grasps hurdle, having landed on bottom : JUMPSAT
9-across – Hammer Thor needs taken up : SHORTENED
10-across – Arm first to back an argument : WORDS
11-across – Compare Liberal with President Clinton, ultimately : LIKEN
12-across – Steps taken to bring about downfall? : RAINDANCE
13-across – Allocating roles in reconnaissance, keeping close to suspect : CASTING
15-across – Assemble to conclude harvest : GATHER
17-across – Westward retreat after conflict is admonished : WARNED
19-across – Dunno what victor does? : BEATSME
22-across – Characters from Kew longed to develop expertise : KNOWLEDGE
24-across – Tenor leading performers round Spain shut up in concert hall : TACET
26-across – Engaged in ceasefire, ignoring command : REIGN
27-across – Game’s left-winger to make complaint : REDGROUSE
28-across – Put one’s hand to old hat to register departure : SIGNOUT
29-across – Players leave evacuated fortress : CASTLE
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Sybil’s husband in charge of church with ceremonial rights … : BASILIC
2-down – … fine means of securing congregation : FLOCK
3-down – Keeping hospital department in Orient running : RETENTION
4-down – Trying case of drug popular in prison : JUDGING
5-down – Doctor made one cut : MOWED
6-down – Killers axing third of villains they haven’t met : STRANGERS
7-down – What MP has turned up about good man’s proclivities : TASTES
8-down – Unusually daring type of dressing : INDRAG
14-down – Shielding light from poster in exhibition : SHADOWING
16-down – Serving up puff pastry cases closed restaurant : TRATTORIA
18-down – French man of letters charged and executed on retirement : DIDEROT
19-down – Girl to stop wearing underwear : BRENDA
20-down – Limit flexible term accommodated by Devon banker : EXTREME
21-down – Narrowly avoids women’s clothing : SKIRTS
23-down – Article removed from shed very slowly : LENTO
25-down – Take out royal household : COURT
This crossword has in total 32 where 16 are across and 16 are down.