Phi is moved to Saturday this week to make way for Coot’s celebratory puzzle yesterday.
Special Genius
https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/2026/may/08/may-2026-bonus-genius-crossword
Guardian Quick Cryptic 110 by Budmo
This week’s 11 x 11 crossword from the Guardian intended to teach cryptic crosswords, found here
Private Eye ( Cyclops / 829 ) Betrays Tory Party
1 down is topical given that as I type this counting is still going on for the local elections. Lots of talk about swinging and most, like Jenrick, swinging to the right as if they are on an out of control anticlockwise merry-go-round. So many defective, sorry defecting, ex-Cons like him. I’ll say no more here – it’s all too depressing.
Anyway another great crossword from our one-eyed friend. I notice he will soon be starring in Christopher Nolan’s new blockbuster epic: “The Odyssey” trailer
FT Bank Holiday Jumbo 18,361 / Leonidas
It’s Leonidas, one of my favourite setters, providing our first Bank Holiday Jumbo.
Guardian Prize 29996 / Fed
The Guardian Prize crossword this week is set by Fed, who is a fairly regular Guardian setter these days. He has also set for the Independent as Bluth, but I haven’t seen his name there so far this year.
Financial Times 18,367 by SOLOMON
Fun challenge from SOLOMON !
Independent 12,350 by Coot
We were surprised to discover that we didn’t have a Phi today. We thought there must be a good reason ……..
Guardian 30,001: Omnibus
Last time I blogged an Omnibus puzzle (speculated to be a compilation from multiple setters) I found some of the clues a bit clunky, but this one seems a lot smoother. Thanks to Omnibus.
Guardian Cryptic 30,000 by Arachne
The puzzle is available to solve online or download here.
Hello everyone. I hope you will forgive this impostor for bringing you the blog for a very special puzzle. When I agreed to cover for scchua I had no idea it would be number 30,000. Once I realised I felt a bit sheepish for taking this in place of one of the regular Guardian bloggers. But as it’s an Arachne I admit I don’t feel too bad!
Independent 12,349 / Knut
Knut has provided this week’s Thursday puzzle. It is a long time since it has fallen to me to solve and blog a puzzle by him.
Financial Times 18,366 by JASON
Jason is this morning’s setter.
Enigmatic Variations No. 1744: Reassuring by Chalicea
Hi all. Chalicea’s puzzles are often reassuring for a solver and this one looks like it might be doubly so. Only one way to find out …
Independent 12348 / Eccles
It’s two weeks since we had an Eccles crossword, so it is no surprise to see his name today.
Financial Times 18,365 by GOLIATH
A thoroughly enjoyable solve from Goliath.