I can’t believe that there was anyone who missed the theme in this week’s Prize puzzle from Brendan.
bridgesong
Guardian Prize Prize crossword No 29,930 by Vlad
I’m deputising for Eileen again and it’s Vlad again only two weeks after his last appearance in the prize slot.
Azed No. 2,776 – the end of an era
This is the first Azed puzzle to appear since the announcement last week of his retirement from the monthly clue-writing competition.
Guardian Prize Prize crossword No 29,918 by Vlad
A chewy challenge this week from Vlad.
Guardian Genius No 271 by Claw
Claw last appeared in the Genius series in August of last year, with a very amusing puzzle based on a Castlemaine XXXX TV advertisement. Other than that, there are no other appearances by Claw that I can find in 2025, but such an accomplished setter must surely have other puzzles published, perhaps using different aliases.
Guardian Prize Prize crossword No 29,906 by Imogen
Imogen provides this week’s prize puzzle.
Guardian Prize Prize crossword No 29,894 by Brockwell
A gastropodous theme for this week’s Prize puzzle from Brockwell.
Azed No. 2,774 Plain – Christmas Competition
An unusual Christmas competition, in that there is nothing Christmassy about it.
Guardian Prize Prize crossword No 29,871 by Fed
A rare appearance by Fed in the Prize slot this week.
Gemelo No. 14 – plain
A plain puzzle from Gemelo this week.
Guardian Prize crossword No 29,847 by Vlad
Perhaps the toughest Prize puzzle that we can remember.
Guardian Prize crossword No 29,823 by Philistine
Always a pleasure to see Philistine’s name on a puzzle that I have to blog.
Gemelo No. 10 – plain
A plain puzzle from Gemelo this week, but it was by no means straightforward
Guardian Prize crossword No 29,799 by Brockwell
A wide variety of clue types on display in this week’s Prize puzzle by Brockwell.
Gemelo No. 5 – Special mentions
Each clue contains the name of a picture that has won the Oscar for Best Picture