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May be too cunning for me!

OK - it's the last word...

Ah, I had the answer as a possible solution but hadn’t recognised that as the definition so couldn’t see why! Thanks.

Happy New Year everyone!
I found this very tough indeed, wouldn’t even have come close without the devices jono mentioned - thank you! But some good clues, COD 22d. All in all, very enjoyable, but very frustrating too. All the best everyone.

Happy Ayer from Spain.

My favourite crossword of 2022 by far! Tough and very pleasurable indeed. 1a was new to me and as it was late to go in, the clever well laid out 'theme' took a while for the sirens all go off. Didn't know tiny as a noun in 13a. Too many good clues to list. But still can't satisfactorily parse 24d - I have the definition a synonym of the last word in the clue.

Many thanks Brendan and Happy New Year to all on the forum

24 parses as 1, 2, 3. The 1 is "key man on board". Your defn. and solution seem correct.

Definition of 24d is the last two words, I suppose, strictly writing.

Saw the theme after finishing. Often pays to stand back, doesn't it?

Wonder why I didn't.

Ho hum.

Feliz Anõs.

Jeez I'm twp. Still cant see parsing 24d after all your hints!

24 parses as 1, 2, 3
1=abbrev. for chess piece ("key man on board")
2=a 2-letter word in clue
3=syn of "run into", with some possible confusion about tense.
I'm not sure the "a" in the clue is necessary, apart from surface.
Defn=syn of final word in clue.