Some of you may have heard that The Independent newspaper has decided to drop the daily cryptic crossword with effect from the end of October 2026. I believe that the last puzzle will appear on October 31st. Incidentally the day before Fifteensquared’s 20th birthday.
YORK SLOGGERS & BETTERS 2026
Friday 23rd-Sunday 25th October 2026
Financial Times 18,485 by ARTEXLEN
ARTEXLEN kicks off the week…
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 30,117 by Vulcan
Thanks to Vulcan for the puzzle – I particularly liked 18ac and and 15dn. Apologies for a delayed and somewhat rushed blog today.
Independent 12,466 by Knut
The original puzzle may be found here.
Financial Times 18,484 by Julius
Puzzle from the Weekend FT of September 19, 2026
Guardian Quiptic 1,400 by Pasquale
The Sunday morning Guardian Quiptic, found here
Gemelo 47
A plain puzzle from Gemelo, with the usual collection of unfamiliar words to add to our vocabularies (and, at least in my case, to forget shortly afterwards). Thanks to Gemelo.
Everyman 4,169/13 September
All the usual features of an Everyman puzzle in this one.
Independent on Sunday 1908 Filbert
Thank you to Filbert. Definitions are underlined in the clues.
Independent 12,465 by Ringoe
The puzzle is available to solve online or download here. Hi everyone. On this setter’s previous appearance a month ago I predicted it wouldn’t be my last Ringoe puzzle, and here we … Read more >>
Guardian Quick Cryptic 129 by Chandler
This week’s 11 x 11 crossword from the Guardian intended to teach cryptic crosswords, found here
Private Eye (838 / Cyclops) Ham-fisted Patriarch
A fun solve as ever, and one I managed by myself this time!
Guardian Saturday Prize Crossword 30,110 by Pangakupu (12 September 2026)
I’m standing in for Bridgesong this week, as he takes some well-earned R&R – and after last week’s exertions with Enigmatist, we have a Pangakupu (which is, fittingly*, Maori for ‘word puzzle’…)
Financial Times 18,483 by ARRIETTY
An interesting challenge from ARRIETTY.