GAFF kicks off the week with a themed puzzle…
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 29,907 by Vulcan
Thanks Vulcan for today's puzzle – my favourites were 10ac, 18ac, 28ac, and 2dn.
Independent 12,256 by Major
Major starts the puzzling week in the Indie.
Financial Times 18,270 by Leonidas
Puzzle from the Weekend FT of January 17, 2026
Guardian Quiptic 1,365/Budmo
Budmo has produced a number of crosswords for the Guardian Quick Cryptic slot, but this looks like their first foray into Quiptics. An excellent debut it was too, in my view.
Independent on Sunday 1,873/Filbert
Filbert is a really consistent setter. He’s pretty much a regular in the Independent on Sunday slot, and each week comes up with a deftly constructed and entertaining puzzle.
Everyman 4,134, 11 January 2026
An enjoyable challenge from Everyman, which can be found here.
Gemelo No. 20 – plain
I found this one on the tougher side.
Guardian Prize Prize crossword No 29,900 by Paul
Sorry this is late – rush job to cover this morning
Guardian Quick Cryptic 94 by Serenos
This week’s 11 x 11 crossword from the Guardian intended to teach cryptic crosswords, found here
Independent 12,255 by Lark
The puzzle is available to solve online or download here.
Private Eye (Cyclops / 821) Medicinal Camembert
If camembert cost about £200 per kilo and had the reputation that you lost weight after eating it, it would become highly sought after and anyone who bought it would certainly lose weight.
Otherwise they wouldn’t be getting their money’s worth.
Listener Crossword No. 4900: Puff Piece by Seps
This is Seps’s fourth Listener since he first joined us three years ago. The first three had musical and poetic connections. But what’s in store this time?
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 29,905 by Enigmatist
A tough challenge, with quite a few parsings that took a while to work through. My favourites were 8ac, 12ac, and 25ac. Thanks to Enigmatist.
Independent 12,254 by Phi
The weeks are going by so quickly – we have another Phi to solve.