| LAYPERSON | Not an expert, one plays badly, taking rook |
| ONEIS | To be an expert one needs to understand what is being said (4,4,3,2,7,5) |
| KNOWWHAT | To be an expert one needs to understand what is being said (4,4,3,2,7,5) |
| TALKINGABOUT | To be an expert one needs to understand what is being said (4,4,3,2,7,5) |
| AESTHETIC | Artistic set cheat badly, taking one in (9) |
| ARBITER | A piece taking rook, then queen? One must exercise judgment |
| BUMMALOTI | Bail out badly taking on board one thousand minute fish |
| ILLICIT | Badly taking most of one city, it is forbidden (7) |
| LIBRARIAN | Book expert, one under one zodiacal sign not initially following another (9) |
| LAYMAN | Someone who is not an expert |
| AMATEUR | A partner texted, "You are not an expert" (7) |
| LAYWOMEN | Female who is not an expert - or a priest (8) |
| NOAUTHORITY | Not an expert (2,9) |
| NOVICE | He's not an expert, but he is without bad habits (6) |
| ORGANIST | It groans discordantly if he plays badly (8) |
| CALYPSO | Plays badly during company song |
| STRUMS | Spirits are lower when the little saint plays badly (6) |
| BUCKINGHAM | Town going against a chap who plays badly (10) |
| PIERCE | Break through, taking rook with knight, say (6) |
| RABBIT | Poor player taking rook and a bishop with piece (6) |
