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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 14h

Nah. The relationship between a solution and its wordplay is anything but essential IMO. The relationship between e.g. a solution and an unexpected anagram of it is fun because there's nothing essential or inevitable about it!

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Coot @coot.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

There’s a puzzle within my (quite probably last) Independent puzzle today. Sample clues: Furtive latte arranged during fling (8) Hope wife’s left note of reservation (3) #cryptic #crossword puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

puzzles.independent.co.uk

The Independent's Cryptic Crossword | Play Online for Free | Independent

Play The Independent's Cryptic Crossword instantly online. The Independent's Cryptic Crossword is a fun and engaging Online game from The Independent. Play it and other games from The Independent.

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Sitter Crosswords @sitterxwords.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Badenoch waits to reshuffle her front bench (6,7) #cryptic #crossword #crosswordclue

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Hahaha. I thought of you when I saw it. Glad you caught it

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Punditry, once smart, is primarily excruciating (9) Today's my last Indy #cryptic #crossword. I hope there's a second life in the near future for Mike's fantastic operation. It's been my privilege to set alongside my heroes and super talented friends. puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

puzzles.independent.co.uk

The Independent's Cryptic Crossword | Play Online for Free | Independent

Play The Independent's Cryptic Crossword instantly online. The Independent's Cryptic Crossword is a fun and engaging Online game from The Independent. Play it and other games from The Independent.

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I think what happens is that "punctuation can _often_ be ignored when solving" leads to new solvers thinking "punctuation serves no cryptic function, so it's best if I ignore it" and new setters thinking "the purpose of punctuation is to trick people". The best setters use it to steer the solver IMO

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Jack H Keynes @wearingcrocs.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I'm back in the Independent! (Bluejacket #13, 12477, Sat 3rd Oct 26) 14a: Square meal with no starter for lunch (4) 25d: I say who's closer (3) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... Thank you to the Indy team for publishing me for 18 months, and to all who've enjoyed (or not!) doing my grids.

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

What you see when you're trapped in one of the golden balls from Golden Balls

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

If only the Independent top brass felt the same 😔

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ecclescrosswords.bsky.social @ecclescrosswords.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

While the campaign to save @the-independent.com #crossword continues, worth continuing to point out what a fantastic opportunity this is for @theipaper.com . No better daily cryptic - they know this already, as recycled ones form a key part of their strong puzzle section. @olyduff.bsky.social

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Longyfan @longyfan.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

To elaborate on that last repost, eimi – cryptics editor at the Indy – is gauging interest in an independent follow-up to the Independent crossword Email trulyindependentcrosswords@gmail.com with the subject line “truly” Comment #152 on the fifteensquared blog fifteensquared.net/2026/09/21/i...

fifteensquared.net

Independent Cryptic Crossword – the future – Fifteensquared

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Very nice of you to mention, but just seeing how many people have embraced "fodule" is worth more than money can buy 😊

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I'd meant to add a link once it was finished, so I guess I should finish it. TBH I slightly regret taking it on because there's too much to cover in the brief and breezy way I set out to!

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

You must have heard about this one by the late Rufus: Giggling troll follows Clancy, Larry, Billy and Peggy who howl, wrongly disturbing a place in Wales (58)

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

A Welsh alphabetical jigsaw would be a fun idea. (I have a vague memory of something like this in one of Aracuaria's books actually - maybe that was Greek)

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Seen any dysgwyr? bsky.app/profile/char...

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Henri @henriwords.com · 23/09/2026

The best practical advice I’ve seen so far is in comment number 55 by PostMark at the link in John’s post below - email the managing editor of the Independent Details are in that comment 👍

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Just republished an old Indy puzzle. I always liked that it name-checks setter, editor and test-solver: King casually calls for toast with pork pie (7) Top spy replaces lead for fancy audio equipment (4) Legendary hunter mounting leopard or minotaur hides (6) www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3945

mycrossword.co.uk

Sign in to your MyCrossword account to access your crossword history, create new puzzles, comment on solutions, and track your solving progress.

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LRLR @lrlr.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Sad to see the Independent has ceased their cryptic. If you’re a former independent setter, drop me a DM. Minute Cryptic is accepting limited submissions for mini cryptics.

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Also, while The Indy's decision is based on clicks, The i Paper presumably doesn't yet know how losing its crossword might affect physical sales of the paper. If you buy The i Paper for its crossword, might be worth saying so here? fifteensquared.net/2026/09/21/i... bsky.app/profile/eccl...

fifteensquared.net

Independent Cryptic Crossword – the future – Fifteensquared

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ecclescrosswords.bsky.social @ecclescrosswords.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I wonder if the best chance for the Independent crossword is for the @theipaper.com to take it up. It has taken old puzzles for years so should know the value of the brand - and the quality - and it takes pride in its puzzles page. @olyduff.bsky.social

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Raider @mycrossword.co.uk · 19/09/2026

🚀 New MyCrossword release... well, sort of. I've been adding a few bits and pieces to the site lately so I thought I'd mention them here.

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

It'd be interesting to poll 225's regular Guardian commenters. My guess is that many people only have time/interest for one daily puzzle, and for many people that's the Guardian because it's been around longer

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ecclescrosswords.bsky.social @ecclescrosswords.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Sad news that The Independent is to stop its Cryptic Crossword in November, barring a last minute change of heart. It has forged its own distinct identity and will leave a great hole. Particular credit to Mike for introducing so many new great new setters to the professional ranks.

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John Henderson @enigmatistelgar.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

One is so tired of editors (7) A cracker from the late lamented Nutmeg that came up in conversation yesterday (and not in the context of #Inquisitor or #EnigmaticVariations before you ask).

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I've updated my cryptic grammar guide with a section on which sort of grammatical combos (I hear some people call them fodules) work well for indicating anagrams, reversals etc. charliemethven.com/crypticgramm...

charliemethven.com

Charlie Methven – Cryptic grammar

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Rachel Playforth @archelina.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

If you get the i paper, today's cryptic crossword is by me 😊

Partial page from newspaper showing clues to cryptic crossword no 4865 by Angel

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

"If you're hoarse from shouting BREAD at the screen why not apply?" was immediately followed by the reason I can't do that

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Penny just dropped after a few mins of wondering why dads are especially irate

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

!!!! I had no idea where that was going but looks like I need a better example of an exclusively intransitive wordplay indicator!

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

This also includes a section trying to discuss nounal anagram indicators. I'm not sure it's entirely successful but I don't want to keep tinkering with it forever. Cheers to people I've chatted with about these on here!

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

charliemethven.com

Charlie Methven – Cryptic grammar

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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

In today's varied crossword landscape, it's possible to start the day with a Yank, enjoy a Tug with lunch and still fit a Guy in before bed

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tpg @tpgrammar.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Thank you to MyCrossword’s famous solver, Kateh!

youtu.be

“Cryptic Doubles” with Kateh

YouTube video by tpgrammar

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Guinevere 🎲🎲 @guineverecryptic.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Hope you enjoy the first ever Tuesday Dice puzzle! Maybe something appropriate for this time of year… Nice places being arranged – somewhere to accommodate writers (6-4) Open-minded nude American Bishop is sacked (8) #cryptic #crossword www.theguardian.com/crosswords/c...

theguardian.com

Cryptic crossword No 30,100

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PostMarkCryptic.bsky.social @postmarkcryptic.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Pleased to have compiled today's Independent crossword. Including: During dry spell, love going for a drink (7) Progress at last, a substitute for milk! (8) Scotch barely open, flipping rubbish party folds (7) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

puzzles.independent.co.uk

The Independent's Cryptic Crossword | Play Online for Free | Independent

Play The Independent's Cryptic Crossword instantly online. The Independent's Cryptic Crossword is a fun and engaging Online game from The Independent. Play it and other games from The Independent.

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