This crossword No. 12956 clues and answers were published on Fri 18 Nov 2011 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Quick Crossword No. 12956 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Carried out completely and carefully : THOROUGH
5-across – Moby Dick’s pursuer : AHAB
9-across – Plunder : RIFLE
10-across – Smart alec : KNOWALL
11-across – Exchange experiences : COMPARENOTES
13-across – Relating to the lower spine : LUMBAR
14-across – Large bottle in a protective container — by Cora : CARBOY
17-across – Type of sofa : CHAISELONGUE
20-across – Assign to a job : APPOINT
21-across – Bury : INTER
22-across – Former British PM — unspoilt paradise : EDEN
23-across – Put in a difficult position : CORNERED
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Beginner : TYRO
2-down – Not at one’s best : OFFFORM
3-down – The art of maintaining an advantage over someone : ONEUPMANSHIP
4-down – Small motor-racing vehicle : GOKART
6-down – Earth : HEART
7-down – Big, round, hard peppermint : BULLSEYE
8-down – Puma : MOUNTAINLION
12-down – Siege : BLOCKADE
15-down – Speak boastfully : BLUSTER
16-down – Helplessly drunk : BLOTTO
18-down – Fully enough : AMPLE
19-down – Type of nail : BRAD
This crossword has in total 24 where 12 are across and 12 are down.