Enigmatic Variations No. 1731: Columns by Chalicea
Chalicea has some ‘inspirational’ COLUMNS for us this week, although my first instinct on hearing the word ‘column’ is to think of data in tables or Excel files…less inspirational than than Doric or Ionic columns, or even well-written newspaper features…
Financial Times 18,285 by MONK
Great fun from Monk.
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 29,921 by Alia
An enjoyable solve – I especially liked 8ac, 25ac, 5dn, and 6dn. Thanks to Alia for the puzzle
Independent 12,270 by Hoskins
Wednesday amusement (though not for the easily offended) from a regular Independent setter.
Inquisitor 1944: Let’s Get Metaphysical by Hawk
Welcome to Hawk – new to the Inquisitor but not to the Listener.
Financial Times 18284 by MUDD
Thank you to Mudd. Definitions are underlined in the clues.
Guardian 29,920 – Harpo
Quite a gentle offering today from Harpo (aka Monk in other places) – thanks to him for the entertainment.
Independent 12,269 by Methuselah
Methuselah provides our Tuesday challenge this week.
Independent 12,268 by Quince
I found this quite a struggle. The compiler is new to me, which usually makes things a little trickier because you're not used to the way they express things.
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 29,919 by Vulcan
Vulcan at his best.
Spectator 2,735
Preamble to this puzzle read: All but one of the unclued lights are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer. The remaining one links the others. Ignore one apostrophe and two accents.
Financial Times 18,283 by ARTEXLEN
ARTEXLEN kicks off the week…
Financial Times 18,282 by Julius
Puzzle from the Weekend FT of January 31, 2026
Financial Times Sunday 130 – World by Sleuth
The first day of February brings the regular geographically themed puzzle from the FT. Find it to solve online or download and print at ft.com/crossword
Guardian Quiptic 1,367/Chandler
A fine Quiptic from Chandler which I think will appeal to newer solvers.