Wednesday July 8th at 2.10pm on Channel 4, I will be occupying the challenger’s chair on Countdown.
YORK SLOGGERS & BETTERS 2026
Friday 23rd-Sunday 25th October 2026
Independent 12,397 / Methuselah
Methuselah has provided today’s teaser. It was back in 2024 that it last fell to me to blog a puzzle by this setter.
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 30,048 by Paul
Thanks to Paul for the puzzle, with several that took a little while to work out – my favourites were 19ac, 24ac, and 5dn.
Financial Times 18,415 by JASON
Jason is this morning’s setter.
Guardian 30,047: Fed
A very enjoyable and ingenious puzzle from Fed. Most of it went in pretty smoothly, though for some reason the NW corner help me up at the end. Thanks to Fed for the entertainment.
Independent 12396 / Eccles
Eccles makes his usual appearance, two weeks after his previous puzzle was published.
Financial Times 18,414 by GOLIATH
A classic from Goliath.
Inquisitor 1965: Shock Appearance by Skylark
This is Skylark’s eleventh Inquisitor puzzle since her debut in this series in 2019.
Independent 12,395 by Coot
Hello again to Coot – I’m blogging his work for the third time this year.
Financial Times 18,413 by SLORMGORM
A fine puzzle from Slormgorm, with long solutions crossing in the middle to lock everything into place.
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 30,046 by Imogen
Imogen has set this morning’s puzzle.
Spectator 2756: 2B or not 2B? by Fire
Are Fire taking us into ‘Shakespearean pun’ territory or the stationery cupboard – that is the question…
Financial Times 18,412 by GOZO
GOZO kicks off the week…
Independent 12,394 by Bard
This was an interesting and enjoyable puzzle.