This crossword No. 429 clues and answers were published on Sun 07 Dec 2003 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Speedy Crossword No. 429 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Vacillate : DITHER
4-across – Counting frame : ABACUS
9-across – Cephalopod with suckered tentacles : OCTOPUS
10-across – Meaning : SENSE
11-across – Commence play in tennis : SERVE
12-across – Beyond doubt : ASSURED
13-across – Fail by some margin : MISSBYAMILE
18-across – Ungodly : IMPIOUS
20-across – Beast of burden : LLAMA
22-across – Of the eye : OPTIC
23-across – Wishy-washy : INSIPID
24-across – Categorise : ASSORT
25-across – Young swan : CYGNET
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Torpid : DROWSY
2-down – Edify : TUTOR
3-down – Female ruler : EMPRESS
5-down – Principal element : BASIS
6-down – Fundamental : CENTRAL
7-down – Get a grip! : STEADY
8-down – Simplicity itself : ASEASYASPIE
14-down – Drive : IMPETUS
15-down – Sweet Madeira wine : MALMSEY
16-down – Tropical shrub with yellow flowers : MIMOSA
17-down – Brigand : BANDIT
19-down – Spring to mind : OCCUR
21-down – Tree, kind of poplar : ASPEN
This crossword has in total 26 where 13 are across and 13 are down.