Friday 23rd-Sunday 25th October 2026
Guardian Cryptic Survey Results
Some of you recently took part in the survey, originally posted here The results are now available here Thanks to all who took part.
Private Eye ( Cyclops / 837 ) Oval Wall Game
Some of you may have been looking for this blog this time last week.
The last Private Eye covered 3 weeks and it was very clear in the printed Crossword that entries could arrive up to yesterday (Friday 4th Sep), but I see no-one told the website which has been saying “no longer accepting entries” for the past week. Ho hum.
Guardian Prize 30,098 / Imogen
It’s Imogen in the Prize slot
Listener No 4933 Organ Donor by eXternal
Dave Hennings’ Crossword Database tells me that this is eXternal’s seventh Listener crossword (he has created lots of IQs too).
Independent 12,452 by Phi
Phiday fun as usual. The original puzzle is at https://puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent/?puzzleDate=20260904.
Financial Times 18,471 by SOLOMON
A fun challenge from SOLOMON!
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 30,103 by Paul
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/30103.
Guardian 30,102 / Brockwell
Brockwell provides the Thursday challenge
Independent 12,451 by Bluejacket
The original puzzle may be found here.
Bluejacket provides the cruciverbial challenge today.
Financial Times 18,470 by SLEUTH
Thanks to Sleuth for an enjoyable challenge.
Enigmatic Variations 1761 Heroes by Vagans
A perimeter to fill in clued by surplus characters from each clue. Then highlight the final character in the completed grid. Sounds pretty straight forward, but probably isn’t
Independent 12,450 / Samsa
Samsa has produced our mid-week puzzle today. I have not encountered this compiler’s work before, and he appears to have just one previous Indy crossword blogged on this site.
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 30,101 by Fed
Thanks to Fed for the puzzle, with a nice mix of clever clues. I particularly liked 14ac, 25ac, 2dn, 3/16, and 13dn.
Financial Times 18,469 by MONK
A great way to start the day.