iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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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Reposted by Steve Mossberg

Anthony Etherin @anthonyetherin.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

TRANSMOGRIFICATION (Anagrammed Lines) Transmogrification! Instigator for manic magic — for transition. Strict origin of a man arising into cat form.

0248

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

It was so fun making Triple Threat, today’s (free to solve) WSJ variety cryptic. I hope it brightens your day! #cryptic #crossword. www.wsj.com/articles/tri...

wsj.com

Triple Threat (Saturday Variety Puzzle, September 26)

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Reposted by Steve Mossberg

Anthony Etherin @anthonyetherin.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

SISTINE CHAPEL (Anagrammed Lines) Rome. Along a gold Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo paints a God's lore. On the solar ceiling: gospel, Adam, theological promise, and angels.

02512

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Totally. I'm going to a recital tonight of just the final four sonatas (amazing pieces to my ears), which I'll be caffeine-pregaming because they demand so much focus. It was a treat to read your symphony rankings on this very Beethoven-ish day!

010

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

It's certainly light between 7 and 9! Now, how would you feel about a piano sonata marathon followed by a ranking of all 32? 😇

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

This was exactly my experience with 3 (Nézet-Séguin in Philadelphia, 2014), but it's the ranking of 8 that's killing me. 😅

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Tonight, we all scream. Or something like that.

Image of a cryptic crossword shaped like a bowl of ice cream

010

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

What a night of Canadian rock royalty! I saw them perhaps a tour or too after that one. Thanks for sharing.

010

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

I couldn’t believe how hard some of that was when I revisited it! Thank you thank you!

000

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Steve will be going to see them in Boston two weeks after that! 🦉

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Because it’s asleep in The Trees by then.

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Thanks! I’d forgotten about that one. 😂

010

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

110 is a lot of puzzles, David. 🐙

Screenshot of a very silly cryptic crossword. It's my 110th in this series, which is a lot of puzzles, David.

2100

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

I have absolutely no idea what the rules are, unfortunately!

000

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Thanks! I haven’t really been involved aside from making the puzzle, so I’m not sure.

000

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

I love that! Don’t sleep on Canada and India either! Brilliant folks setting in all these places.

110

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

000

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Good luck, have fun, and leave no empty squares. I hope everybody enjoys the puzzle! 🏃‍♀️🧠🏆

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Reposted by Steve Mossberg

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

I'm honored to have been invited to construct one of the puzzles for this cool upcoming #cryptic #crossword tournament. Don't let that scare you away though, it should be a good time! I can't wait to see who demolishes it the fastest.

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

I can personally attest that these other two puzzles are super fun! It's worth solving all three even if you aren't particularly swift.

020

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

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Reposted by Steve Mossberg

David Astle (alias DA) @dontattempt.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

When three anagrammers get together, it’s a riot

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Oh, the fomo. I hope it was great!

030

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

I‘m thrilled to see two of my original cryptic buds bringing Potoroo to the masses. A long time coming. Congratulations!

020

Reposted by Steve Mossberg

Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

BIG #CRYPTIC #CROSSWORD NEWS! National cryptic-solving contests coming to the US and Canada for the first time! 🇺🇸🏅🏆🏅🇨🇦 Participate online - registration will be free! 😀 I’ll be posting about it in the days and weeks ahead (turn on notifications for my posts to get all the news) #USCanadaCrypticCC

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

I forgot about that one — had to take a moment to parse it!

020

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Thank you! Plenty of foods left for next year, I figure!

000

Reposted by Steve Mossberg

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Forward thinker locks down dinner service (5) Blacken bagel and fix festive topping (8) Pig? Not primarily Passover fare (4) Stewed lamb plat? Ouzo's what we'll drink (5,4,4) Roast quick and eat along edges (7) Ceaseless making of a whipped dessert (8) #cryptic #crossword #Passover

media.tenor.com

a seder plate with a banner that says chag sameach on it

Alt: a seder plate with a banner that says chag sameach on it

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

This never gets old. Chag sameach!

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

media.tenor.com

a seder plate with a banner that says chag sameach on it

Alt: a seder plate with a banner that says chag sameach on it

162

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

What could be better than helping to assemble another TPFA pack with my wonderful crossword friends? I hope you'll join us in our cause and give it a go.

032

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Glad you enjoyed it. That is, and you’ve got the right parse, a very tough bunch of letters indeed!

010

Reposted by Steve Mossberg

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Visionary Cook quickly out of AirPods? (4) I‘m back with “Musical Theft,“ another WSJ variety #cryptic #crossword, free to solve here. I hope it brightens your day! www.wsj.com/articles/mus...

wsj.com

Musical Theft (Saturday Cryptic Puzzle, March 7)

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Visionary Cook quickly out of AirPods? (4) I‘m back with “Musical Theft,“ another WSJ variety #cryptic #crossword, free to solve here. I hope it brightens your day! www.wsj.com/articles/mus...

wsj.com

Musical Theft (Saturday Cryptic Puzzle, March 7)

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