No 13695, Thursday 27 Oct 2022, Gussalufz

Solution to 12A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

ACROSS

1   But holding a long stick, she tries to stay stable (8) BALANCER {BA{LANCE}R}

6   Revolutionary tombstone inscription in place for soul (6) SPIRIT {S{RIP<=}IT}

9   Judge starts to upbraid defence over defence strategy (4) JUDO {J}{Up...d}{De...e}{Over}

10 According to reactionary: have sex without protections, heartily, to fill a place with people again (10) REPOPULATE {PER<=}{cOPULATe}E E from? What's the role of heartily? {Addendum - {PER}{cOPU:ATE}* - See comments)

11 Positive spin applied to the disputed clip (6) UPSIDE [T<=]

12 As discussed, issue suggests systematic studies (8) S?I?N?E? (Addendum - SCIENCES (~scion says)

13 One full of oneself somehow insists upon taking control of narrative (10) NARCISSIST {N{ARC}ISSIST*}

15 Notice the heads up display terminals! (4) ESPY [Tail acrostic)

17 After retirement, secretly date zombie character (4) ZETA [T<=]

18 Bradman set to be replaced as players' leader (10) BANDMASTER*

20 Regularly does so at each end — turns late! (8) DECEASED {DoEs+So+At+EaCh+EnD}<=

22 Dr. exchanged worn-out knife (6) DAGGER Anno pending (-r+d)DAGGE(-d+r)R - See comments)

24 Unrestricted exchange of gold stopping rapid slump (4-3-3) FREE-FOR-ALL {FREE F{OR}ALL}

26 On vacation, right to bump one off? (4) AWRY AW(-a+r)RY

27 These animals? They're on cars every now and then! (6) HYENAS {tHeYrE+oN+cArS}

28 Acquired a welcoming, fancy, nice, large estate (8) HACIENDA {HA{NICE*}D}{A}

DOWN

2   Patiala's queen set to lose spectacular site and lose control of automobile (9) AQUAPLANE {PAtiALAs+QUeEN}*

3   Amino fluid oddly used as sauce? (5) AIOLI {AmInO+fLuId}

4   These Olympians — they may be seen in hair salons! (7) CURLERS [DD]

5   Cutting from liquor, I paid rent (3) RIP [T]

6   Bribe's breaking new ground at 50%, one argues (7) SOPHIST {SOP}HIST Anno pending (Addendum -{SOP}{HISToric} - See comments)

7   Perhaps sand is primarily littered all around their terrain, essentially? (9) ISLANDERS {SAND+IS+Li...d} over {thEir+terRain} &lit

8   Ripped textile, discovered fibre (5) IXTLE tEXTILe* Not sure of Anno See comments

12 Exposed innards of the menace rising to smother monarch (7) SKINNED {DENNI{K}S<=}

14 Christmas is back — came earlier, around the end of March (it changes frequently) (9) CHAMELEON {NOEL<=}<=>{C{marcH}AME}

16 Pet of Spooner's not on leash, expressed satisfaction (9) PREFERRED Anno pending (Addendum ~ free purred to preferred - See comments)

18 Works on vacation, chasing top Oscar awards (7) BESTOWS {WorkS}<=>{BEST}{O}

19 Note: before 100, toy with a sex change (6,1) MIDDLE C {C}<=>{(-f+m)MIDDLE}

21 Getting rid of husband? Pay attention to discontented lady ahead of her time ... (5) EARLY {hEAR}{LadY}

23 ... Good republican husband killed in own churchyard plot (5) GRAVE {G}{R}{hAVE}

25 ... Burnt remains of second husband found under a tree (3) ASH {S}{H}<=>{A} Two definitions?

Reference List

Gold = OR, Right = R, Monarch = K, Christmas = NOEL, 100 =C, Husband = H, Good = G, Republican = R, Second = S