Widdersbel

Regular blogger for the FT Sunday News and World puzzles. I've been interested in all kinds of puzzles from an early age but didn't become a regular cryptic crossword solver until the early 2000s, when the Guardian cryptic was a way to help pass the long daily train commute. In 2008, searching the internet for assistance with a tricky puzzle, I came across fifteensquared. Learnt a lot from the blogs over the following years and eventually became a competent solver. Joined the blogging crew in 2023 - also made my debut the same year as a setter in the Indy under the alias Salty.

Financial Times Sunday No.18 – World by Sleuth

Thu January 22, 2026 at 4:05 pmSun October 1, 2023 at 8:27 am by Widdersbel

The monthly geographically themed puzzle, this time set for us by Sleuth. Solve it on the FT website or via the smartphone app.

Financial Times Sunday No.17 – News by Buccaneer

Thu January 22, 2026 at 4:13 pmSun September 24, 2023 at 12:10 am by Widdersbel

Buccaneer returns as the setter for the September edition of the monthly News Puzzle. Solve it on the FT website or via the smartphone app.

Financial Times Sunday No.15 – World by Gaff

Wed January 21, 2026 at 10:08 pmSun September 3, 2023 at 10:32 am by Widdersbel

It’s the return of the monthly geographically themed puzzle, this time brought to us by Gaff. Find it on the FT website to solve interactively or use the smartphone app.

Financial Times Jumbo 17,505 by Leonidas (Saturday 26 August)

Sat September 2, 2023 at 12:10 am by Widdersbel

The FT’s now customary bonus jumbo cryptic for the bank holiday weekend, this time courtesy of Leonidas.

Financial Times Sunday No.14 – News by Basilisk

Thu January 22, 2026 at 4:10 pmSun August 27, 2023 at 8:23 am by Widdersbel

It’s the last Sunday of the month, which means another outing for the online-only puzzle themed on the latest news and topical events, this time brought to us by Basilisk. At the time of writing, the puzzle is not available to download and print but it can be solved interactively on the FT website or via the smartphone app.

Financial Times Sunday No.12 – World by Gozo

Wed January 21, 2026 at 10:09 pmSun August 6, 2023 at 10:38 am by Widdersbel

Another highly enjoyable geographically themed puzzle in the FT’s Sunday series. Find it on the FT website to print or solve interactively, or use the FT’s smartphone app.

Financial Times Sunday No.11 – News Puzzle by Neo

Thu January 22, 2026 at 4:10 pmSun July 30, 2023 at 8:35 am by Widdersbel

It’s the last Sunday of the month and that means another current affairs-themed puzzle in the FT’s Sunday series, this time brought to us by the ever-reliable Neo. Find it on the FT website to print or solve interactively, or via the FT’s smartphone app.

Financial Times Sunday No.9 – World by Peto

Wed January 21, 2026 at 10:11 pmSun July 2, 2023 at 2:26 pm by Widdersbel

The FT’s geographically themed puzzle returns, this time set for us by Peto. Find it on the FT website to print or solve interactively, or use the FT’s smartphone app.

Financial Times Sunday No.8 – News by Julius

Thu January 22, 2026 at 4:10 pmSun June 25, 2023 at 2:22 am by Widdersbel

Julius returns as the setter for the June edition of the monthly News Puzzle. Find it on the FT website to print or solve interactively, or via the smartphone app.

Financial Times Sunday No.6 – World by Hamilton

Wed January 21, 2026 at 10:28 pmSun June 4, 2023 at 7:09 am by Widdersbel

Second outing for the FT’s geographically themed puzzle as part of its online-only Sunday series. Find it on the FT website to print or solve interactively, or use the FT’s smartphone app.

Financial Times 17,427 by Rosa Klebb

Sat June 3, 2023 at 12:05 am by Widdersbel

Weekend puzzle of 27 May

Another bank holiday special Jumbo from the FT, this time by Rosa Klebb. What a treat!

Financial Times Sunday No.5 – News by Buccaneer

Thu January 22, 2026 at 4:11 pmSun May 28, 2023 at 12:30 am by Widdersbel

Today’s entry in the FT’s Sunday series is the May edition of the monthly News Puzzle, this time brought to us by Buccaneer. Find it on the FT website to print or solve interactively, or via the FT’s smartphone app.

Quiptic 1,227 by Hectence

Fri May 26, 2023 at 10:41 pmMon May 22, 2023 at 7:06 am by Widdersbel

A typically entertaining puzzle from a long-time favourite in this slot.

Financial Times Sunday No.3 – World by Gaff

Wed January 21, 2026 at 10:29 pmSun May 7, 2023 at 9:30 am by Widdersbel

A fun new themed puzzle in the FT’s online-only Sunday series. Find it on the FT website to print or solve interactively, or use the FT’s smartphone app.