“Clues to perimeter entries comprise wordplay only. Each contains an extra word. Reading either the second or penultimate letters of these in clue order, followed by the alternative choices,
Independent 12,288 by Eccles
It’s Wednesday, it’s Eccles!
Financial Times 18,303 by MONK
A dependably enjoyable puzzle from Monk this morning.
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 29,939 by Anto
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/29939.
Spectator 2738 First-rate third rate by Pabulum
Another stylish puzzle by Pabulum
Inquisitor 1947: Four-letter Word by Cranberry
It’s Valentine’s Day and we have a Cranberry IQ to solve.
Independent 12,287 / Crosophile
Crosphile is occupying the Tuesday slot this week, on what tends to be theme day.
Guardian 29938 / Pavo
Pavo appears to be a new setter of Guardian crosswords. Chambers tells me that Pavo is the peacock genus and is also the name of a southern constellation
Financial Times 18,302 by PETO
Today’s offering from Peto . . .
Financial Times 18,301 by GAFF
GAFF kicks off the week with a centenary puzzle…
MyCrossword Featured crossword No 5 by Fez
It’s my second time to be blogging a MyCrossword Featured puzzle, and this time we have an apt theme, although I only spotted it restropectively.
Independent 12,286 by Liari
I've not seen this compiler before but I see that there have been a number of previous puzzles. I thought it was of a very high standard with some great clues.
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 29,937 by Brummie
Very enjoyable – I particularly liked 9ac, 20ac, 24ac, 2/18/13/22, and 6dn. Thanks to Brummie
Financial Times 18,300 by Julius
Puzzle from the Weekend FT of February 21, 2026
Independent on Sunday 1,878 by Filbert
The puzzle is available to solve online or download here.