samuel beckett was born on this day 120 years ago. astonishing to think that if he had survived, and could run 100m in 9.57 seconds, he would be not only the oldest but also the fastest man in the world - together with his nobel prize for literature, an astonishing trifecta

If Ant & Dec were sommeliers they’d have to stand the other way around

I'm delighted to be making my debut in the Independent today as Nepeta. Sample clues: Raunchy trio stripped naked (6) Almost complete abstainer from pork eating English breakfast (6) Side roads backed up after abattoir evacuated (7) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Now that is irritating

I think 28a in today's Filbert in the Independent has two almost equally valid solutions, which I know because I went for the wrong one!

Byrne's constant refrain: massive sea water dissolving (4,2,2,4,3)

Idea for a T-shirt

From one of my puzzles last year: One taken in by proof all made up (5,4)

Like a hole-puncher...?

I've just spotted two words in a Chambers dictionary entry which would make a really neat cryptic definition if read in isolation. So watch this space I guess...

Such thefts have only been successful since KitKat switched to the new plastic wrappers. Before that, they were always foiled.

I've started a draft post of suggestions for people that have been doing Parseword or Minute Cryptic and want to 'graduate' to doing whole puzzles. Ideas for additions/changes etc very welcome! www.wyrd.systems/posts/next-s...

Interesting clue... www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3235...

How legitimate is "XYZ after verbing ABC", where the verb is a transitive one which the solver must do to ABC, rather than an intransitive one which ABC could be said to perform itself? 🤔

We're on track to get Issue 3 out in April, and pre-sales are open now. Reserve your copy at unchcrosswords.com

I've just released the new grid designer for the toolkit! It's a first version and a bit basic at the mo, but more features are on the way. Check it out here: www.mycrossword.co.uk/toolkit/grid... CC @petermoorefuller.bsky.social

This grid isn't horrendous, is it?

Anyone for some reheated pie? mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3215

Well it doesn't look like anyone's going to discover this authentically...

Unorganised Charlie Methven misses one date (5,8)

Interesting. This looks like a good way for new cryptic solvers to get more comfortable with substitutions. www.parseword.com/daily

Two films, both 12AM

I've been unemployed for a few months. I now set myself pretend jobs to prevent the rot setting in. My son thinks this guy is funny, which is a good enough excuse to make something. Any requests?

Flashbacks to early 2020...

(I'm sure this has been touched on here before but I can't find the thread now) Is there any real reason we're allergic to "primary/extreme/last [fodder]" etc but not "primarily/ultimately/extremely [fodder]", given that in normal life "primarily [thing]" wouldn't mean its first component either?

Because this video is long, I’ve included timestamps for easy navigation. Check it out if interested: youtu.be/NzMYUdteLpI?... Thanks.

WHAT'S A HAIKU? (Anagrammed Lines) Basically, the paced heptadecasyllabic blade; a patchy slice.

Decently plausible crossword clues in Perec's A Man Asleep

It's crazy that she was born Charli HSN

I set today’s #cryptic #crossword in The Independent. Solve free online here: https://puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent?puzzleDate=20260214

Interested in setting cryptic crosswords, or improving ... or just finding out more? Part 4 of my blog looking at how & why cryptics work is now up at @mycrossword.co.uk: www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/setting...

Apollo forgot to mention I have a #cryptic #crossword in Unch #2. In case you needed an invitation. #shelfie

I think there are four basic grids that crosswords tend to be based on. I don't know if they have names, but this is what I call them:

What a remarkable coincidence. I set today's Independent puzzle puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent

What a remarkable coincidence. I set today's Independent puzzle puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent

I really enjoyed today's Independent crossword set by Quince, particularly: 🎭 Quince's second part's in Hamlet – he’s playing patriarch (10) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... Puzzles like this don't come along every day!

Sad to think he never knew he was born on Groundhog Day

I really enjoyed today's Independent crossword set by Quince, particularly: 🎭 Quince's second part's in Hamlet – he’s playing patriarch (10) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... Puzzles like this don't come along every day!

Interested in setting cryptic crosswords, or improving ... or just finding out more? Part 3 of my blog looking at how & why cryptics work is now up at @mycrossword.co.uk: www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/setting...

One of the jolliest finals I’ve ever seen, lovely series #onlyconnect

"Really annoying and stupid" is the in-house review of the missing vowels set I wrote #OnlyConnect

A lovely birthday present for Wayne Gretsky there #OnlyConnect

A new Mini crossword from me in loose tribute to tonight's Only Connect final 🌾🦁🪢🐍🌊👁️ Featuring: Crck fnl bts frm nthr nly Cnnct pzzl (3) Mghn ntlly pst hr hsbnd, wthhldng Chrstms gft (5) Fmnn ttl mprss ccsnlly sd (3) mycrossword.co.uk/mini/211

A new Mini crossword from me in loose tribute to tonight's Only Connect final 🌾🦁🪢🐍🌊👁️ Featuring: Crck fnl bts frm nthr nly Cnnct pzzl (3) Mghn ntlly pst hr hsbnd, wthhldng Chrstms gft (5) Fmnn ttl mprss ccsnlly sd (3) mycrossword.co.uk/mini/211

In the latest Unch crossword magazine, I say what my favourite cryptic clue of recent times is - it's in a crossword with a *very* cool gimmick from the Guardian in August 2025 It'll certainly make you look twice... Here's me solving the crossword online: youtu.be/Mvm6OsQeZYs @unchcrosswords.com

Unch is served. (Although I have some leftovers from last issue still to finish)

Divorced Jilted Divorced Divorced Divorced Survived(?) - mnemonic for remembering the wives of Frasier and Niles Crane