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
Important update
Enigmatic Variations No. 1764: Superficially by Kruger
Hi all, with apologies for the late appearance of this blog.
The preamble:
26 (2 words), near 44 14 8, the brainchild of 3 1 Across, was SUPERFICIALLY intended to be a showcase for 20, 27, 25 and 22. Every clue except the first and last contains an extra word of at least four letters that must be removed before solving. In clue order, the first, third or fifth letters of these extra words (approx. equal numbers of each) identify the legend to be written under the grid. Chambers (2016) is recommended. 39 is in ODE. One answer is an abbreviation.
Listener No 4936 Swaps by Luxor
Luxor has been compiling for the EV and Inquisitor series since her first lovely EV on Dolly the Sheep (that clone) three years ago, but this, her fifteenth compilation is her first Listener. What a gem!
Independent 12,470 by Phi
We are relishing every puzzle we solve and blog in the Independent at the moment.
Guardian 30,121: Omnibus
The usual rather mixed bag of clues from the mysterious Omnibus, with cross-references to 20 across providing a bit of a theme.
Financial Times 18,489 by XELA
XELA serves up a gentle jog for the Friday crossword run.
Guardian Cryptic 30120 Qaos
Thank you to Qaos. Definitions are underlined in the clues.
Again, apologies for the late posting.
Independent 12,469 / Longitude
This is my first outing with Longitude as both a solver and a blogger, and a thoroughly enjoyable experience it was too!
Financial Times 18,488 by GURNEY
Gurney is this morning’s setter.
Financial Times 18,487 by MONK
A tricky challenge from Monk.
Independent 12468 / Hoskins
Hoskins fills the Wednesday slot in the Independent, in the week we learn that the series itself is likely to end at the end of October
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 30,119 by Paul
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/30119.
MyCrossword Featured crossword No 20 by Meles
The original puzzle may be found here.
Inquisitor 1977: Call the NHS by Dash
This week we have a puzzle entitled ‘Call the NHS ‘, set by Dash
Independent 12,467 by Crosophile
I don’t think we’ve seen Crosophile for a few months: welcome back! The original puzzle is at https://puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent/?puzzleDate=20260922.
Guardian 30,118 / Boatman
It’s Boatman back, after quite a while, I think ….