Ringoe appears to be a new setter of Independent cryptic puzzles, so welcome!
Financial Times 18,262 by MUDD
Mudd is today's setter.
Enigmatic Variations No. 1727: Complete by Stick Insect
This puzzle almost COMPLETEly defeated me – until a PDM at the 11th hour of the 10th day after publication, just before the submission deadline…
Financial Times 18,261 by IO
A challenging crossword from IO.
Independent 12,246 by Stamp
Stamp is here with our mental warm-up today.
Guardian 29,897 – Philistine
A typically elegant puzzle from Philistine, featuring his trademarks of medical references and lift-and-separate clues. Thanks to Phlistine.
Financial Times 18260 by STEERPIKE
Apologies for the very late blog. Thank you to Steerpike. Definitions are underlined in the clues.
Inquisitor 1940: Chocolate Time by eXternal
I feel sure there’s a name for this style of crossword – each of the answers (all 8-letters) entered around a cell indicated by the clue number – but if there isn’t, there should be.
Independent 12,245 by Deri
It’s Tuesday and we have a Deri puzzle to blog.
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 29,896 by Alia
Alia is this morning's setter.
Spectator 2,732 – Play it Tough by La Jerezana
An appropriately themed puzzle from La Jerezena.
Financial Times 18,259 by PETO
PETO kicks off the week…
Independent 12,244/Brunel
A beautifully constructed but challenging puzzle from Brunel for the Monday slot.
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 29,895 by Vulcan
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/29895.
Financial Times 18,258 by Zamorca
Puzzle from the Weekend FT of January 3, 2026