This crossword No. 686 clues and answers were published on Sun 09 Nov 2008 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Speedy Crossword No. 686 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – One providing specialist testimony : EXPERTWITNESS
8-across – Tune, melody : AIR
9-across – Fit for publication : PRINTABLE
10-across – Assiduous, painstaking : THOROUGH
11-across – Spoilt child : BRAT
13-across – Wipe out : EFFACE
14-across – Gypsy : ROMANY
16-across – Ascend : RISE
17-across – Drinking party : CAROUSAL
20-across – : TRICOLOUR
21-across – Age : EON
22-across – Star of the fixture : MANOFTHEMATCH
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Demand, extort : EXACT
2-down – : PARROTFASHION
3-down – Blame, scold : REPROACH
4-down – Complain, whine : WHINGE
5-down – Ballerina’s costume : TUTU
6-down – Awkwardness, discomfiture : EMBARRASSMENT
7-down – Engagingly, gently : SWEETLY
12-down – 3-D image : HOLOGRAM
13-down – Printing error : ERRATUM
15-down – Overshoe : GALOSH
18-down – Execute without trial : LYNCH
19-down – Take off : DOFF
This crossword has in total 24 where 12 are across and 12 are down.