Today sees me posting my last blog of 2025 rather later than expected, but here it is. This Tuesday sees the latest puzzle by Kairos, whose work I have rarely blogged as it has tended to appear at the beginning of the week.
Inquisitor 1939: Close Quarters by Vagans
Yes, it’s us again blogging as Ken is in hospital – hope that things are steadily improving Ken and that you are able to ‘hop about’ OK.
Guardian 29,890 – Ramsay
A new setter, I believe, to (almost) end the year on (1 across is appropriate). It took me a while to get on the right wavelength, and there were a few clues where I got the answer from the definition but struggled to parse the wordplay. There were some easier clues too, with some helpful anagrams, so a very promising debut.
Thanks and welcome to Ramsay
Financial Times 18,254 by GURNEY
Some interesting long solutions today from Gurney.
MyCrossword Featured crossword No 1 by PostMark
As a debutant blogger I’m honoured to be writing up the first MyCrossword Featured puzzle, which can be found here: https://mycrossword.co.uk/featured/1
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 29,889 by Omnibus
Omnibus – a new setter or a group of setters?
Independent 12,238 by Hubble
Hubble provides a gentle start to the week.
Financial Times 18,253 by SLORMGORM
SLORMGORM kicks off the week…
Financial Times 18,251 by Neo (2025 New Year’s jumbo)
Jumbo puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 27, 2025
Financial Times 18,252 by Pedrock
Puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 27, 2025
Sunday Number 125: News Puzzle
A great news puzzle from Julius to see the year out.
Independent on Sunday 1,870 by Filbert
The puzzle is available to solve online or download here.
Hi everyone – I hope this festive season finds you well and happy. Filbert remains one of my favourite setters, and this crossword is full of reasons why.
Guardian Quiptic 1362 by Harpo
Happy New Year Greetings to one and all! And thank you to Harpo. Definitions are underlined in the clues.
Azed No. 2,774 Plain – Christmas Competition
An unusual Christmas competition, in that there is nothing Christmassy about it.
Everyman 4,131
The puzzle may be found at https://observer.co.uk/puzzles/everyman/article/everyman-no-4131 in the interactive form and at https://cdn.slowdownwiseup.co.uk/media/documents/obs.everyman.20251221.pdf as a pdf.