Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

You don't have to change your 15a solution at all: it stays as it is, but the last letter of 4d (as you suspect) is changed. I think you'll follow if you re-read the first part of the instructions. In other words it's only a question of choosing which of the two conflicting letters to enter (thus giving the "final solution", if that expression is allowed).

Thanks - you're right, of course.

More confused that ever now about 19 across, though the rest is complete. I hate being so dense, but it's driving me mad.

Is the 'important river' in the British Isles?

The river used to be in Russia, not sure which 'stan it is in now.

Why is it that the ones I find easy others get stuck on and the ones I struggle with never get a mention? So, a hint please for 20ac. I wanted this to be cocksure but obviously not, now having got 18dn.

Teenileek

I didn't get 20 across till I'd got the theme, and deduced the middle letter. It's not a word in use today - think, probably the twenties or there abouts.

The first two letters are an abbreviation for species, followed by a word meaning more doubtful - not quite a slang word (this second bit) but you wouldn't use it in an essay, say.

Thanks CMK, anyone for tennis?

I'm all done (including the middle line) except for the top L corner:

1A Race to block low slogan (5) M---O
I thought of MOTTO, but can't see why.

11A Unsettled nobleman striking king (3) R--
Rex? But why?

2D For Mussolini, not quite enough energy to administer a thrashing (5) --S--

Any hints for these?

1a: think race abb., low as verb
11a: financially unsettled; abb. king removed from a 4-letter n'man
2d: it. wd we all know; vb for thrash

Correction: It. wd.