Original post: may contain spoilers: https://fifteensquared.net/2026/07/01/yours-truly-on-countdown/
YORK SLOGGERS & BETTERS 2026
Friday 23rd-Sunday 25th October 2026
Independent 12,405 by Tyrus
The puzzle is available to solve online or download here.
Hello everyone. Today’s crossword took me less time than usual for this setter, but I don’t have a feel for whether Tyrus was going a smidge gentler on us in the heat or if I was on fire.
Guardian Quick Cryptic #119 by Garson
This week’s 11 x 11 crossword from the Guardian intended to teach cryptic crosswords, found here
Guardian Prize 30,050 / Kite
Kite returns to the Prize slot, three months after his puzzle themed on the Artemis Moon Mission,
Financial Times 18,422 by SOLOMON
Apologies for the extreme lateness of this blog but our regular blogger faced technical problems.
4925 Wrong Column by Deuce — setter’s blog
Like, I suspect, most solvers of the Listener, I usually get my fix by downloading a pdf of the puzzle online. On the rare occasions I’ve bought a dead-tree Times — manly on … Read more >>
Listener No 4925 Wrong Column by Deuce
Deuce has been setting Listener crosswords since 2019 and this will be his sixth.
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 30,055 by Brockwell
Thanks to Brockwell for today’s puzzle, my favourites were 2dn, 18dn, and 23dn.
Independent 12,404 by Phi
Phi on Friday as usual.
Independent 12,403 by Ringoe
Ringoe is a relatively new setter for the Indy – appearing roughly once a month – here is this month’s offering!
Financial Times 18,421 by PETO
Peto is the compiler today.
Guardian 30,054: Brendan
Brendan has been showing up a lot lately, which I for one have no complaints about. All his usual ingenuity is on display here, though perhaps with rather more double definitions than some would like. Thanks to Brendan for the puzzle.
Enigmatic Variations 1753 Tomfoolery by Curmudgeon
A quotation clockwise around the grid to deduce and its author. Then five letters to change leving real words. Extra letters from 11 consecutive clues give the last instruction. Not complicated for once.
Independent 12,402 / Jeemz
Jeemz has provided today’s cruciverbal entertainment. It is the second puzzle by this compiler that I have blogged.
Financial Times 18,420 by IO
A fun start to the day from Io.