This crossword No. 953 clues and answers were published on Sun 29 Dec 2013 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Speedy Crossword No. 953 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Religious teacher of 6th and 5th centuries BC : BUDDHA
4-across – Test, as ore : ASSAY
7-across – Determined beforehand : PRESET
8-across – Colouring material used as a rough acid-base indicator : LITMUS
9-across – Capital of Latvia : RIGA
10-across – Large estate in Spanish-speaking countries : HACIENDA
12-across – Not functioning properly; deranged : OFFTHERAILS
17-across – Small rotating-winged aircraft : AUTOGYRO
19-across – Any loose flowing garment : ROBE
20-across – Change course : SWITCH
21-across – Marine bird of prey : OSPREY
22-across – Final approval : SAYSO
23-across – Compensate for : OFFSET
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Filled tortilla : BURRITO
2-down – Characteristic of or peculiar to a woman : DISTAFF
3-down – Turn in : HITTHEHAY
4-down – Excuse, in law : ALIBI
5-down – Majorly influential : SEMINAL
6-down – Flunky : YESMAN
11-down – Divide by means of a rope, tape, etc : CORDONOFF
13-down – Ludicrous folly : FATUITY
14-down – Stirrup? : IRRUPTS
15-down – Cause the downfall of; undermine : SUBVERT
16-down – French sweet blackcurrant liqueur : CASSIS
18-down – Small lizard : GECKO
This crossword has in total 25 where 13 are across and 12 are down.