No 11803, Saturday 17 Sep 2016, xChequer

Easier than the usual xChequer, but enjoyable nevertheless 

ACROSS

7. Alien caught in severe deviation (6) DETOUR {D{ET}OUR}
8. Jack returns, reportedly to fetch bread (8) BAGUETTE {AB<=}{~GET}

9. Expression of gratitude from excited youth securing an introduction to king (5,3) THANK YOU {YOUTH}* around {AN}{King}
10. Cheap rum in short (6) SHODDY {SH{ODD}Y
11. Leading newspaper probed by American tax administration (5) FIRST {F{IRS}T}
12. Burn Master in Chancery (6) STREAM {MASTER*}
14. Not disheartened, further toilet trained smallest child in family (4,2,3,6) RUNT OF THE LITTER {NoT+FURTHER+TIOLET}*
17. Importance of mother before turning ten (6) MOMENT {MOM}{TEN*}
18. Bring together world body providing base in Germany (5) UNIFY {UN}{IF}{germanY}
22. Happened to remain on floor (6) BEFELL {BE}{FELL}
23. Fortunately delivered by nurse, very proficiently self-possessed (8) ENVIABLY {EN}{V}{I}{ABLY}
24. Usual cap of senior commanders (8) GENERALS {GENERAL}{Seniors}
25. New at pole dancing, lose hold (6) NELSON {N}{LOSE*}{N} First N is from Pole, Second from New

DOWN

1. Method to manage last of fire and quench it (9) TECHNIQUE {firE+QUENCH+IT}*
2. Establishes hospital for female dogs (6) HOUNDS {(-f+H)OUNDS}
3. Conflicts from a short expression in speech (5) FRAYS {~PHRASE}
4. Incites underworld characterizing fragile China (8) EGGSHELL {EGGS}{HELL}
5. Reach no conclusion in mandate, refer back for further consideration (8)  RECOMMIT {RE{COMe}MIT}
6. School's duty around examination (5) STUDY {S}{DUTY*}
8. They turn criminal in recovering bonus (6,7) BOUNTY HUNTERS {THEY+TURN}* in {BONUS*} &lit

13. Foundation collapsed, wise bird ditching rookie partner (9) BEDFELLOW {BED}{FELL}{OWl}
15. Withdrawing agent in control, daughter interfered (8) TAMPERED {TAM{PER<=}E}{D}
16. Well-known Mafia circles comprising the Italian resistance (8) FAMILIAR {MAFIA}* around {IL} followed by R
19. More or less normal, ahead of schedule (6) NEARLY {N}{EARLY}
20. Shining example in tale we joke about (5) JEWEL (T<=)
21. Energy release in incident (5) EVENT {E}{VENT}

Reference list

Alien=ET, Jack=AB, Nurse=EN, Very=V, Self=I, New=N, Pole=N
Hospital=H, Female=F, School=S, Rookie=L (Learner), Agent=Rep, Daughter=D, The Italian=Il, Resistance=R, Normal=N, Energy=E

Color/Font Scheme

Definition, Solution, Component letters, Embedded links, Anagram Indicator, C/C indicator, Reversal Indicator, Hidden word Indicator, Letter Pick indicator, Deletion Indicator, Homophone Indicator, Movement Indicator, Positional Indicator, Substitution, Indicator, Link/Connector, Extraneous

GRID