February 2026 Cover Stories by Phylax

 Cover Stories by Phylax

Six answers must be replaced prior to entry. In the initially populated grid, two of these entries must be modified to show their provenance. To complete the symmetrically arranged thematic group, a seventh entry must be modified in either of two ways, as the solver prefers. All changes create only real words. Numbers in brackets refer to grid entries; The Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.

PDF copy

 Across
    5    Second officer on ship backing old salt (6)
    13    More than one being held in penitentiary (5)
    14    Scheffler's first delicate chip at St Andrews (5)
    15    Boris Johnson was one to continue ignoring Government, ego essentially gigantic (7)
    16    Lots son enjoys ringing about (6)
    17    Fellow caught letting slip exclamation of distaste (5)
    18    Enthusiastic about opening passage bypassing river (4)
    19    Train passes Elmswell without stopping (6)
    20    Amateur maybe counts less British reptiles (6)
    21    Sprayed sloop red, having rejected soft deep pink (7, 2 words)
    23    Where Chancellor of the Exchequer makes modest cut? (6)
    24    Dissident bishop engaged in riotous merrymaking stripped of see (5)
    27    Reckless speed, staggering speed (3)
    28    With movement very good in both directions after introduction of masseur (5)
    29    Spurs vary Academy drills (6)
    30    American's failure to take on board setter's quality? (7)
    34    Bird that's developing late, eg cuckoo (6)
    35    Gnawing stick leads to eating native trees (6)
    37    He avoids cutting down branch (4)
    38    Swimsuits and similar items, each with concealed support (5)
    40    Collection of complex polymers lining churns (6)
    41    Denied twisting information about unruly adolescent (7)
    42    Last of venom being sucked from arm/leg wound essential for snakebite (5)
    43    Relative to the French, complimentary about King (5)
    44    Eggs and white wine saving a potato dish (6)

Down
    1    Ask what constitutes Calvin Klein's monogram (4)
    2    Net cord on return bounds forward (6)
    3    Kept tax officer probing M Hucknall's band? (6)
    4    Conceals contracts after failing to involve HR (5)
    6    They don't rush to secure empty Sainsbury's bags (6)
    7    Short skirt made shorter by floozie (6)
    8    Never drink anonymous black dye (7)
    9    Record accepted, so put on spinning device linked to speakers (8)
    10    Openings for rhythm and blues in country songs (7)
    11    Quits supporting English league football teams (7)
    12    Arousing protests, widened part of interstate? (8, 2 words)
    21    Lichen hunter perhaps losing head and damaging base of logs (8)
    22    One who lamented accepting 100 pounds for power chair that's adjustable (8)
    25    Careless clown doing somersault traps one in upper back (7)
    26    He's in denial about wearing atrocious shirt with zip (7, 2 words)
    27    Unlawfully withholding property of Parisian can upset EU (7)
    30    Threatening war-club pounding setter's nut (6)
    31    Curtailed wild celebration to consume almond drink (6)
    32    Raised newt that man's captured close to pond (6)
    33    Concludes ring's been discarded by trespassers (6)
    36    Mole kept one to help run up clothing for Ratty (5)
    39    Every so often dropped roadies at concert halls (4)

Crossword News January 2026

 

Crossword News January 2026

Happy New Year!

In December the Prize Puzzle was Seasons Greetings XVII by Eclogue, a lovely puzzle based on a popular Christmas carol. Extra letters generated by the wordplay of down clues provide DING DONG MERRILY, which are placed “on high” in the grid.  The highlighting shows “in HEAVEN, THE BELLS are ringing”.  The extra letters in the across entries continue the song with “VERILY THE SKY is riven with ANGELS singing”.

Here are some of the comments from solvers.

Entertaining puzzle with a fun and elegant representation of the second line in the grid. I was confused by "cryptic indication" in the preamble as the words seemed clear, but then i decided being "on high" was the idea? Thanks for the puzzle and happy new year.

Another fine seasonal offering. The song revealed itself fairly quickly but I actually stared at my completed grid on and off for about a week before finally spotting the cryptic hidden line. Nice touch, Thanks Eclogue.

Great fun; and the thematic “illustration” was the icing on the Christmas cake. Many thanks and best wishes for 2026.

There were 59 entries, of which 13 were marked incorrect. The lucky winner, picked at random, was Gerry Murtagh, who will be winning a prize of a year’s subscription to the Crossword Club. There is a solution at https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2026/01/solution-to-seasons-greetings-xvii-by.html

We also had the Advent challenge, Exploration by Arcadia. This was a very tough puzzle. Nine galaxies (four elliptical, three spiral and two irregular) with all non-galactic entries attracted towards the central barred cell, itself at the centre of an irregular galaxy spelling [BLACK HOLE STAR] *. Answers to galactic clues, appropriately entered, filled the whole grid, with answers to the non-galactic clues allowing sufficient checks to enable the solver to deduce unchecked letters making real words.

Here are some of the comments from solvers.

This took an infernally long time to solve - longer than any Listener for months. I felt the preamble could have been worded more clearly, though it was my own fault that I didn't realise that it was the CLUE to one of the answers, not the answer itself, that fixed the orientation until long after I completed all 4 possible orientations of the grid.

Rather daunted by the preamble, which I couldn't finally make sense of until I was well on the way to completion, but in the end a very satisfying puzzle with a novel construction, and very generous of you also to put up a prize. Thank you!

Very clever piece of construction with many letters contributing to three entries -- it must have taken some work to achieve. I thought it was going to be too challenging at one point, but once I had 5 of the 9-letter entries cold-solved, I was able to piece them together and make good progress from there. I assumed the K of black hole should go in the central cell rather than being sucked out of the universe. I also wondered about the orientation and plumped for rheo at 12 as "going west". I considered if it should go in a westward direction but that doesn't seem to be possible so I don't think it's ambiguous, but I have a niggling doubt. Thanks for a challenging and entertaining solve.

There were 20 entries, of which 8 were marked incorrect. The winner was Robert Benz who will be receiving a prize of a bottle of champagne that is donated by Arcadia. There is a solution at https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2026/01/solution-to-exploration-by-arcadia.html

The January Prize Puzzle is Dressing Down by Hedge-sparrow. https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2025/12/january-2026-dressing-down-by-hedge.html

The February Prize Puzzle will be Cover Stories by Phylax.

As usual we welcome submissions of puzzles for later months.

***
Thanks to Wan we have had a Round Robin puzzle every year. The grid for this year's Round Robin has been designed by Arcadia. There are 40 clues and I am asking for 40 volunteers each to write a normal cryptic clue. We are hoping to publish the puzzle in March. If you are interested in writing a clue then you should email me at derekharrison@yahoo.com. 

Since I posted this on the message board, I have received 20 offers to write clues, so I would welcome more.

***
Last month I mentioned how Chris Lancaster, suffering from an incurable disease, had set up a fund to help him to get a wheel chair accessible vehicle. I am pleased to tell you that the fund has exceeded his target of £10,000. You can donate through this link https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chris-lancaster?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=CL

***

After a hectic Christmas and New Year, I have only been able to dip into Barry Joseph’s Matching Minds with Sondheim. I am impressed with the quality of writing and the masses of information about Stephen Sondheim’s passion for games and puzzles. I am delighted that some of my sketches are in the chapter about crosswords and how Sondheim was a fan of Eric Chalkley and his APEX competitions. I hope to give a fuller review in my next newsletter.

***

As we feared, The Observer has set up a pay wall and I have received a few emails from solvers who are worried that they will not be able to access the Azed or Gemelo crosswords without paying. I would welcome any comments on this.

Gemelo ended 2025 with another tour de force. The initial letters of all the words in all the clues spelled the poem If by Rudyard Kipling!

***

Crossword editor, Alan Connor, has comments on the words of the year and the Christmas crosswords in this article.

***

The Magpie will be hosting the January subscribers’ party, from 6.30pm on Thursday 29th January at The Magpie, 12 New Street, London EC2M 4TP.

***

A letter in Private Eye mentioned Cyclops… has he surpassed himself by recognising that ‘Alarming Epstein files’ could morph into ‘single-parent families’ (Crossword 819). Fantastic!

To set the record right, as far as I know, it was Tramp who devised the clue in a puzzle that he sent to Cyclops which was published without acknowledgement. Tramp confirms, “I drafted an Epstein-themed puzzle for the Guardian but they wouldn’t run it, so, I sent it to Eddie James at PE. He said he would need to change some clues and put his stamp on it. He had written an acknowledgment to go with the puzzle but, according to Eddie, PE wouldn’t print it.”

***

Best of luck to Andy Mullins who has taken on the onerous task of marking the Listener crossword.

***

Looking forward to more puzzles in 2026 and, hopefully, announcing the winner of the coveted Crowther Cup.

Best wishes

Derek

 

 

 

Solution to Exploration by Arcadia

 Exploration by Arcadia - SOLUTION

Nine galaxies (four elliptical, three spiral and two irregular) with all non-galactic entries attracted towards the central barred cell, itself at the centre of an irregular galaxy spelling [BLACK HOLE STAR]*. Answers to galactic clues, appropriately entered, filled the whole grid, with answers to the non-galactic clues allowing sufficient checks to enable the solver to deduce unchecked letters making real words.

Derivation	Answer	type
R in GO+USERS, SHOO(t)	GROUSERS; SHOO	E
TIER after MY(homph), AN+AN	MIGHTIER, ANAN	S
POND in SEES, ARE+S	SPONDEES, ARES	S
REIN round (ROAD*), (h)IKE+A	REORDAIN, IKEA	S
DECIDES about I; double def. of SEAL	DEICIDES; SEAL	E
PAR+VENUE; ON round (s)CEA(t)	(PARVENUE+OCEAN)*	I
(GP round NIPPER)<; double def of SALE	PREPPING; SALE	E
LES(t) round SLADE*; (c)RISE(s)	LEADLESS; RISE	E
B+LACK+WHOLE (homph) ARTS*	(BLACK HOLE+STAR)*	I
(b)OUNDARIES [almost extinct = archaic]	DEINOSAUR	7
PAIL+L+E+T+T+(win)E	PAILLETTE	1
(j)DVANCE after RE+A	READVANCE	8
[NINES+SEL(f)]+G	LESSENING	2
EC+(s)ARDINES	ECARDINES	11
PALEBRASS*	SPARABLES	10
INTRO*+HO(rr)ID	ORNITHOID	4
IN+(RIT in HEED)	INHERITED	5
L in CUE	CLUE	9 i
(b)ELIA(l)	ELIA	18I
GALE(na) [ “cover” = “hide” per Chambers]	GALE	12i
RICE*	ICRE	20I
(EH in OR)<	RHEO-	3i
S(p)ADE	SADE	6i
S+(g)EAR [in WP “kit's” is “kit has”, SR “kit is”]	SEAR	13I
K after SEE	SEEK	15I
O after SEP	SEPO	16I
&lit (i)S(s)U(e)R(e)A(d)	SURA	14I
&lit Hidden word< [“reserves” = “holds back” per Chambers	TANA	19I
(h)URLS [“fail” = “omit” per Chambers]	URLS	17I

Solution to Seasons Greetings XVII by Eclogue

 Seasons Greetings by Eclogue - SOLUTION

Extra letters generated by the wordplay of down clues provide DING DONG MERRILY, which are placed “on high” in the grid.  The highlighting shows “in HEAVEN, THE BELLS are ringing”.  The extra letters in the across entries continue the song with “VERILY THE SKY is riven with ANGELS singing”.

Across

V  1 mariachis; MARIA + CHI[V]S

E  8 dilate; (TI[E] LADE)*

R  12 mganga; GANG in MA[R]

I  13 entelechy; (HY for L) in C(l)[I]ENTELE* 

L  14 Nanda Devi; N + AND + A + DEVI[L]

Y  15 leader; LE[Y] + A + (RED)<

A  16 upcome; UP + COM[A] + E

N  17 helidrome;  (OLD HEIR)* + ME[N]

G  19 reheat; EH in [G]RATE*

E  22 venges; [E]VEN + GE + S

L  24 ambassage; [L]AMB + ASS + AGE

S  25 eluate; [S]EL + U + ATE

T  26 borsch; initial letters incl. [T]omatoes

H  27 Llareggub; (LEGAL BURG[H])*

E  28 inherited; (ENTIR[E] HIDE}*

S  29 ethene; ([S]EEN + THE)*

K 30 sews up; S[K]EW  + SUP

Y 31 addresser; (DARES D[Y]ERS)*

Down

I 2 Agapemone; ([I]M + ONE after A + GAPE

N 3 ranch; RA[N] + NC + H

D 4 agamas; AG + [D]AM + AS

O 5 cadetship; CADE + (HIS T[O]P)*

G 6 inveigled;(I + [G]IVEN)* + GLED

M 7 stilb; I[M]IST)* + LB

E 8 deliverer; DELI + V[E]ERER

R 9 learn; LEA + RN[R]

L 10 theme tune; [L]UNE after THE MET

Y 11 eyres; EYES around [Y]R

R 18 delete; DEE[R] around LET

D 19 rabis; RABI[D] + S

G 20 eases; E + [G]ASES

N 21 Malta; MAL + TA[N]

I 23 gages; G[I] + AGES

January 2026 Dressing Down by Hedge-sparrow

 Dressing Down by Hedge-sparrow

Perpetrator _____________________________

The puzzle re-enacts a story told in a comic song.  Cells where crossing overlong entries clash identify eight unfortunate victims (imagining an apostrophe in one case): solvers must indicate these by their initial letters and colour these cells appropriately.  The unclued entry identifies the cause of the trouble.  In accordance with the song’s title, a random selection of clues (four across, four down) must have two consecutive letters removed before solving (always leaving real words).  Solvers must highlight the song’s performers (7) in the filled grid, and write below it the name of the unwitting perpetrator of the incident, unjumbled from letters in greyed cells.  Ignoring the victims’ cells, all final entries are real words.  Enumerations refer to answer lengths.

Across

1 Hot and anxious, stripped layers (4)

4 Bit of log insect cut down (8)

10 Sure graduate returned antique first reader (5)

12 Squandering penny, cease wanting pounds (11)

13 Roster of gunners protecting returning Tito (4)

14 Tail leading edge of torrential downpour (5)

15 Seized smashed stones, including primarily industrial diamonds (9)

16 Decline to admit pursuing idol (6, two words)

18 Conference prescribed choice of food (4)

20 Mysteries of ear canal uncovered (6)

21 Younger pens recognize patrons of letters (7)

22 Unclued (12)

26 Little monkeys scratching children?  Little monkeys! (4)

27 Female winner Verity French hosted by Victoria State’s leader (8)

28 Special checks identified revolutionary Russian native in the water (6)

30 Bearded man’s a junior scout (6)

31 Abbeys receiving one knowing the latest status of clerics (12)

33 Those seeking votes toil vigorously to gain access to selectors (11)

36 Do a refit sporting felt hat (6)

38 Worry about collecting wicked old French King’s tax (6)

39 Rare type – bird that’s pitied in the Highlands (4)

40 Secures settlement to safeguard struggling side (8, two words)

41 Duck feather hidden in grass exposed once more (8)

42 Ensnared by communist, American priest raged (6)

Down

1 Most resolute, tumbling headfirst after cutting foot (8)

2 Bite back regarding rare hardwood (4)

3 Perennial plants – variety of pea found in cesspools (8, two words)

4 Cor!  Operation with AI reversed shortsightedness (6)

5 In control, lovely Amy’s avoided turning more geeky (7)

6 Goofs saying curtly “Toilets must be vacated” (6)

7 Informs on Government involved in malpractices (5)

8 North American birds these days move faster, following sun south-east (9, two words)

9 Maybe CIA waits, dispatching women to gather info on Thailand (6)

11 Launches ship with caustic on board (6)

12 Barber finally sorting idle gent having curly hair (9)

17 Wanting credit, unfeelingly emit rising fog for writer (5)

19 Further elaborate scarlet cut to adorn First Lady (9)

22 One helping with deliveries in potential time of crisis, heart becoming weak (7)

23 Captain Kirk, perhaps – one originally meant to occupy bridge (8)

24 Flier’s drink trouble (7)

25 Vessel containing drop of astonishingly alcoholic liquor (4)

27 Arrived possessing means for boring English judge (7)

29 Hurries over drinking Idaho’s cocktail (7)

32 Poke local bard whose time’s up (4)

34 Star ejected from libertine’s Italian mansion (4)

35 Finishes cycling relay (4)

37 Observe headless deity on base (3)

PDF Copy

Entries
To enter this competition, input your solution into the website at https://cc.vellender.com before 8th February 2026. The first correct entry drawn from the hat will receive a  copy of  Chambers Crossword Dictionary which has been donated by Chambers.

Crossword News December 2025

 Crossword News December 2025

The November Prize Puzzle was Nonsense by Craft. Extra letters in down clues spell NEDERLANDS NEDERLANDS, a cryptic indication of Double Dutch. In nine clues, definitions were to be translated into Dutch – in each case providing a real English word. Answers to four other clues were to be translated twice;

24ac, DOLL to POP to KNAL

27ac, FIRE to BRAND to MERK

5d, VOICE to STEM to STANG

34d, CREAM to ROOM to KAMER

Here are some of the comments from solvers.

Tricky, this one took a while. The missing letters didn't seem to make sense until i had enough of them and saw they might spell "Nederlands/Nederlands". Aha! Double Dutch ! Even after finding that, finishing the grid wasn't straight forward, for some words "Google Translate" wasn't up to the challenge so I had to dig deeper for Dutch/English translations.

Yet another challenging and satisfying puzzle. Thank you to Craft for a delightful puzzle, and to Derek for continuing to provide such quality content.

This was quite hard to complete, requiring the conjugation of REGENEN (to shower) for 32dn and the obscure 12dn HOGEN, which I could only find in the OED. A proper challenge, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Many thanks, Craft.

I used to work for a Dutch publisher in the 1990s, so had some idea what to look for when NEDERLANDS started to appear in the hidden message. I remember while on a trip to head office seeing the sign SLAGROOM in an Amsterdam bakery, and was surprised to discover it was actually "whipped cream". I also remember many shops displaying signs for DROP (liquorice).

There were 35 entries, of which 3 were marked incorrect. The lucky winner picked at random was Toby West-Taylor, who will be receiving a prize of Chambers Crossword Dictionary which has been donated by Chambers.

There is a solution at https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2025/12/solution-to-nonsense-by-craft.html

There is still lots of time for you to solve our two December puzzles, Seasons Greetings XVII and the Advent Challenge, Exploration by Arcadia.

We will start the new year with Dressing Down by Hedge-sparrow.
***

RIP Brian Head 1939 – 2025
It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Brian Head. It was in 1978 that he wrote to say that he was publishing a monthly crossword magazine and I signed up for the first year. That was how the Crossword Club started and Brian was sole editor until recently when Keith Williams joined him. The magazine had puzzles, articles, comment and competitions but more importantly it created a community of enthusiasts. Brian was also in charge of the Azed Slip for many years. His friends have commented on his good sense of humour and friendly nature. Keith Williams noted that Brian's inspiration, diligence and infectious humour have made our Club what it is today.  

Brian’s funeral service will take place at Test Valley Crematorium, Romsey SO51 6AB on Tuesday 16th December 2025 at 12pm. Details are available at brianhead.muchloved.com , which is also where charitable donations can be made to Prostate Cancer UK in his memory.
***
Shirley Curran sent me a photo of her with Sabre and Paula and Larry Baum. She was on a trip to the USA and Larry had just solved an impossible puzzle. He had taken 3 hours to solve Ten Thousand Pi by Radix, a puzzle that had baffled everyone before. If anyone is interested in trying this tough mathematical challenge, I have posted a copy  and the photo on the blog.
https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/p/ten-thousand-pi-by-radix.html
***
Chris Lancaster, puzzles editor at The Telegraph, has written an article about how motor neurone disease has shattered his life. It is a brave but heart-rending account.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/a6354fb636b0ddd9
Chris set up a JustGiving fund to help him get a wheelchair accessible vehicle. His first target of £5000 was reached in less than 24 hours. Chris posted this: “A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed. I’ve been incredibly moved by everyone’s generosity, and have literally been in tears at how unexpectedly brilliant you’ve all been. I can’t thank you enough. I can’t believe that we’ve reached so much in under 24 hours. Every penny helps me makes the most of the time I have left, so a big thank you.” You can donate through this link https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chris-lancaster?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=CL
***

The 3D Cryptic Calendar has come out and is selling fast. But you can still purchase this ideal Christmas present. Produced by volunteers in aid of the BBC Children in Need Appeal and the Royal National Institute of Blind People, it gives you 12 printed 3D cryptics and 3 Extras during the year sent electronically. Setters include Shark, Enigmatist, Boatman, Soup, Curmudgeon and many other well-known compilers. There is a great variety of grids and themes. If you have never tried a 3D puzzle you may be surprised to find that they are not daunting - crossers are more plentiful - and really good fun. Prices have been held at 2024 levels. For all the details go to www.3dcalendarpuzzles.co.uk and join another really great Cryptics community.
***
The Azed Slip for the clues to DINGLE-DANGLE are now on the Crossword Centre.
http://www.crossword.org.uk/Azedslip.html

You can also see the slip for the clues to METEORIST. First prize goes to Ms L. Davis, with this neat clue:
Sky viewer mislaid remote and it’s lost (anag. + anag.).
***
Keith Williams has published a second collection of Crossword Club puzzles. Onwards and Upwards is available now on Amazon.
***
Barry Joseph’s book, concentrating on the games and puzzles of Stephen Sondheim, Matching Minds with Sondheim, is published in the UK, on December 11. I am planning to get myself an early Christmas present of this book, as I believe it contains one of my sketches!
***
Our first Round Robin crossword was published in 2003. It was Paul McKenna, Auctor, who came up with the idea and designed the first grids. Then, John Nicholson, Wan, took over the role and designed some fantastic grids. After this year’s RR XVII, he decided to step down and now Arcadia has designed the puzzle to be published next March. I will be asking for volunteer clue writers to take part and I will announce it in January.
***
The next edition of the crossword magazine, Unch, is ready for publication in January. You can sign up here  https://unchcrosswords.com/
***
I wish everyone a happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous new year. Sincere thanks to everyone who helps to make the Crossword Centre the top site for quality crosswords.

Best wishes
Derek

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solution to Nonsense by Craft

 Nonsense by Craft - Solution

Extra letters in down clues spell NEDERLANDS NEDERLANDS, a cryptic indication of Double Dutch. In nine clues, definitions were to be translated into Dutch – in each case providing a real English word. Answers to four other clues were to be translated twice;

24ac, DOLL to POP to KNAL
27ac, FIRE to BRAND to MERK
5d, VOICE to STEM to STANG
34d, CREAM to ROOM to KAMER
This did not result in (all) English words but did retain the answer lengths.