The preamble states that we need a copy of Chambers 13th edition to hand – something I currently lack – maybe a Christmas present opportunity, if any family members are reading…
Spectator
Spectator 2,739 – Off Drive by La Jerezana
La Jerezana is the compiler of this Spectator puzzle, for which the preamble read:
Eight unclued lights, two of which consist of two words, are of a kind.
Spectator 2738 First-rate third rate by Pabulum
Another stylish puzzle by Pabulum
Spectator 2737: 19×24 inches by Doc
The Spectator setter this week is Doc, who asks us to deduce 11 lights that can precede or follow a word defined by the title ’19×24 inches’
Spectator 2736 – Jammy by Fieldfare
The 15×15 Spectator blogging schedule pits me against (shurely ‘with’, Ed) Fieldfare again…what kind of JAMMY are we after here – jammy as in lucky? jammy as in filled like a doughnut?…
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.
Spectator 2734: Back-up by Doc
This crossword can be found at https://spectator.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/crossword-10012026.pdf
Spectator 2733 / Firecracker
CheeseCracker sets the Spectator puzzle this week.
Spectator Christmas Special 2025 by Doc
The 2025 Spectator Christmas Special – a mammoth effort by Doc, with (approx) 81 clues and no less than 51(?) thematic unclued entries in seven categories! Fortunately, the Christmas edition of the magazine was a triple-weeker, so I had almost 5 weeks to solve and blog. I think I have solved/deduced them all, some on the last day before submission, but readers/commenters may have come up with alternative possibilities – time will tell when the official solution is published on Thursday…
Spectator 2,732 – Play it Tough by La Jerezana
An appropriately themed puzzle from La Jerezena.
Spectator 2731 Knots by Pabulum
I understand that Pabulum no longer contributes regularly but this is a welcome return …
Spectator 2730: Herrlines by Doc
The closing date for this Spectator was earlier than usual, so we are publishing the blog earlier as well
Spectator 2,728 – Friends and Relations by Fire
Fire is the setter of this themed Spectator puzzle.
Spectator 2727: On track by Doc
Doc (who I believe is also the excellent Maskarade in The Guardian) is this week’s setter. There are 11 unclued lights and the rubric tells us they are “of a kind”. When 16 … Read more >>