This week’s 11 x 11 crossword from the Guardian intended to teach cryptic crosswords, found here
Guardian
Guardian Saturday Prize Crossword 29,888 by Brummie ( 27 December 2025)
I was slightly nervous that I might be getting the Grauniad Christmas Special by Maskarade as the Prize puzzle to blog, but it seems the new normal is to have a ‘regular’ Prize puzzle and the Maskarade as a ‘bonus’ on the side…
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 29,893 by Fed
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/29893.
Guardian 29,892 / Vlad
A cracker of a puzzle from Vlad to lead us into the new year.
Guardian Special 3 by Ludwig
There have been requests for a blog for the Christmas special crossword from Ludwig – which I found on the e-paper app on 23 December. It was in the printed Christmas supplement, some of which can be found online here, the puzzle is to be found here
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 29,891 by Maskarade
Thanks to Maskarade for the puzzle, with nice clues and a very helpful grid. Happy New Year, all.
Guardian 29,890 – Ramsay
A new setter, I believe, to (almost) end the year on (1 across is appropriate). It took me a while to get on the right wavelength, and there were a few clues where I got the answer from the definition but struggled to parse the wordplay. There were some easier clues too, with some helpful anagrams, so a very promising debut.
Thanks and welcome to Ramsay
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 29,889 by Omnibus
Omnibus – a new setter or a group of setters?
Guardian Quiptic 1362 by Harpo
Happy New Year Greetings to one and all! And thank you to Harpo. Definitions are underlined in the clues.
Maskarade Bonus Jumbo 27th December 2025
Given the comments below the blog about providing the clues and the blank grid when the puzzle was only published in the paper edition, but not online, I have removed the links I … Read more >>
Guardian Quick Cryptic 91 by Budmo
This week’s 11 x 11 crossword from the Guardian intended to teach cryptic crosswords, found here
Guardian Prize 29,883 / Philistine
It’s Philistine in the Prize slot for the Saturday before Christmas.
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 29,887 by Enigmatist
Happy New Year Greetings to one and all! Thank you (I think) to Enigmatist. Definitions are underlined in the clues.
Guardian 29,886 / Pangakupu
An entertaining puzzle from Pangakupu to accompany the festive preparations