We probably get a puzzle from Phi every 9 Fridays out of 10 in the Independent. Today is no exception
Komorník Cryptic Challenge 2025
Komorník announces the publication of his Cryptic Challenge for 2025. There are 16 puzzles to be solved, and a required response sent, before 1st July this year.
Independent 11,953 by Eccles
My third Eccles blog in a month: I’m not complaining, but some of my colleagues might feel they’re missing out.
Guardian 29,605 – Picaroon
Good to see another (final?) puzzle from the pirate before he goes into setting Purdah in his new job at the Telegraph. A smooth and witty set of clues, as we’ve come to … Read more >>
Financial Times 17,962 by GURNEY
Gurney is today's setter in the FT.
Enigmatic Variations No.1678 – Local Disturbance by Cranberry
“Clashes in 13 cells can be resolved to help reveal, obliquely, either a thematic question or a LOCAL DISTURBANCE. Select the question, thus eliminating the problem, and thematically modify four answers (of a kind) to illustrate its answer (30 cells), involving characters well-placed to deal with the issue. Enumerations refer to grid entries, which include non-words after thematic treatment. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Financial Times 17,961 by IO
It took me a while to get into this one, as the special instruction is a bit… mysterious.
Independent 11,952 by Bard
What is going on? No Eccles today! But we have Bard’s 5th puzzle instead.
Guardian Cryptic 29,604 by Qaos
A typical Qaos puzzle.
Independent 11,951 / Filbert
Filbert has provided a crossword for this week’s theme day. I found this to be medium-to-hard in terms of difficulty, yet challenging and entertaining in equal measure. The way into today’s theme is … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1891: Very Difficult Times by Pointer
Very Difficult Times by Pointer
Guardian Cryptic 29,603 by Brummie
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/29603.
Financial Times 17,960 by BOBCAT
This is my 100th Financial Times blog. It is hard to believe that I have been posting here since 2022. By now, solving the solid clues of a Bobcat puzzle feels like chatting with an old friend. I very much appreciate all of the comments and support I have received so far.
Azed lunch
Solvers of The Observer’s Azed crossword, both regular and occasional, are invited to a special lunch to celebrate puzzle No. 2,750 at Wolfson College, Oxford on Saturday 3rd May, followed by afternoon tea at Azed’s Oxford home. For full details please email heald (dot) richard (at) gmail.com.
Financial Times 17,959 by ARTEXLEN
ARTEXLEN kicks off the week…