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.
Listener 4935: Smudge by Smudge
Smudge’s last Listener “The Green Grass Don” (4863) was about the rather wonderful Mad Gardener’s Song. Now we have eponymous Smudge. ¿Qué? as Manuel might have said…
Independent 12,464 / Phi
Phi’s latest puzzle leads us relatively gently into the weekend.
Guardian 30,114: Pasquale
A satisfying puzzle, with some easier clues to get things moving, but some stings in the tail with the less-familiar words that are a trademark of this setter. Thanks to Pasquale.
Independent 12463 / Mog
We have Mog’s monthly Independent appearance today.
Financial Times 18,482 by STEERPIKE
Steerpike is this morning’s setter.
Enigmatic Variations No. 1763: Magic Square by Kcit
A ‘MAGIC SQUARE’ from Kcit this week – maybe blurring the boundaries between word puzzles and number puzzles, and a bit of a jigsaw puzzle as well!
Financial Times 18,481 by BOBCAT
After a glitch this morning, we have a BOBCAT puzzle, which is a nice surprise for a Wednesday!
Independent 12,462 by Eccles
Our regular (every other week, usually) Wednesday setter. The original puzzle is at https://puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent/?puzzleDate=20260916.
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 30,113 by Dice
This morning’s Guardian Cryptic comes from Dice and can be found here
Financial Times 18,481 by GOLIATH
UPDATE: A puzzle by Bobcat has now been published to replace the earlier duplication of Goliath’s recent puzzle. A confirmed error, and I will publish the blog as soon as I can.
Financial Times 18480 Mudd
Thank you to Mudd. Definitions are underlined in the clues.