Steve Mossberg

Thank you! I certainly lucked out with the letters in those key entries.

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.

Maybe 8 out of 10 Cats ended prematurely, in for broadcast (8)

It's a pleasure, as always, to set The Independent #cryptic #crossword, especially one with such a lovely palindromic number. I hope it brightens your day!

puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Header image from a very fun cryptic crossword we made.

What a treat to get to set #250 in The Browser with my friend Matthew Stock! I hope it brightens your day.

Cheers, Matt! So glad you enjoyed it.

Looking forward to getting my copy!

Cheers, enjoy!

Ooh, thank you! I apologize in advance for all Americanism-related pain!

Ah, cheers! It's just what goes out to Square Chase subscribers when a puzzle drops. I typically explain old clues and give updates on my adventures in the field, but I've had a lot of technical questions lately and have begun to expound a bit. Maybe I should share the commentary elsewhere as well.

Agreed! Funnily, I just finished writing a piece on to-infinitives in cryptic grammar for my next newsletter.

Solving, constructing for, and editing for @avcx.bsky.social has been one of the greatest joys of my puzzling life. If you’re looking for a great gift that supports independent media, check out this fantastic subscription - minis, full-size crosswords, cryptics, and trivia to your inbox weekly.

AVCX Cryptic, November 13, 2025, Difficulty: Getting you, and your little dog Toto too

Always love @francisheaney.bsky.social's difficulty ratings! I've got this week's AVCX cryptic -- free to subscribers, or buy for $1! Big thanks for the expert editing, @naytnaytnayt.bsky.social, such a pleasure to work with you. avxwords.com/buy-individu...

Glad you tried the Indy today! That's "up" as "in an excited state", which is awfully cheeky.

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.

Sega's hedgehog holds variable speed for many players (9)

It's always a pleasure to be back in The Independent #cryptic #crossword. I hope it brightens your day!

puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Sara's Halloween cryptic is an annual highlight in The Browser. No time like the present to check out all five of them if you haven't!

Thanks so much! I really should go back and have a look at those sometime. 🙈

So kind, Dan! That was a fun time.

Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy it.

So Long, and Thanks for All the Cryptics Hello, cryptic lovers! I don’t do a lot of full-sized puzzles over here these days, but I can think of no better way to pay tribute to The Browser Crossword and its editor extraordinaire Dan Feyer,…

Crossword's conclusion leaves spirit low (3)

@danfeyer.bsky.social at The Browser Crossword was the first editor to take a chance on me as a beginning cryptic setter, so I thought I'd make a little tribute puzzle on the blog.

I hope it brightens your day!

squarepursuit.com/2025/10/22/s...

I've had a go at a puzzle for the American market in @avcx.bsky.social . avxwords.com. Thanks to @francisheaney.bsky.social for getting it in shape. I was advised against too much depressing reality, but was allowed one:

Perhaps Trump and Musk supporting introduction of fascism (5)

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.

Too American to lead English orchestra (4)

Dwelling as The Beatles were in Hamburg? (6)

I set today's Independent #cryptic #crossword. I hope it brightens your day!

puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

the sun is setting over the ocean with clouds in the sky . Alt: a setting sun

Quick thing I gotta go do (4)

Mel Taub, Creator of a Pun-Loving Puzzle, Is Dead at 97

Mel Taub, the former Puns and Anagrams constructor and prince of puns, has died at 97. Obit written by the incomparable Penelope Green.

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/c...

Silly animated GIF about bagels and lox

Me today:

Wishes for a sweet new year, and has at nova spread (5,4)

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.

Dictator's hurt nation's capital (4)

Delay evident in reactions to new allegations (9)

I set today's Independent #cryptic #crossword. I hope it brightens your day!

A screenshot of the 90th cryptic crossword at Square Chase. That is a lot of puzzles, David.

90 is a lot of puzzles, David. 🐙

Cheers! I hope everybody enjoys them.

Quiptic Pack 2025 (#52-60) Ah, hello, Quiptic solvers! It’s been such a long time. I hope you’re doing well! I know I haven’t shown up here in a while, but I’ve been busy with a bunch of other stuff. …

I used to make these Quiptics to help my fellow North Americans grasp the more deceptive UK cluing style by limiting the wordplay devices to one per clue. Every once in a while I get the urge to set a few more for my old blog. Here's a new batch. squarepursuit.com/2025/08/19/q... #cryptic #crossword

In life things are rarely black and white. Except peppermint patties. People either love them or hate them.

I have a beginner-level mini #cryptic #crossword out on AVCX (@avcx.bsky.social). It's been fun working with @mossdef.bsky.social as editor. Do subscribe/buy if you can!

avxwords.com/puzzles/1857/

Thank you! Wouldn't be a Mog without some prickly stuff!