Raider
@mycrossword.co.uk
Occasional cryptic crossword setter for The Independent and creator of MyCrossword http://mycrossword.co.uk
Cheers. I would, of course, never in a million years use this in a puzzle. More of a "no one needs to know this but look what I've noticed..." situation.
January 8, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Cheers. I would, of course, never in a million years use this in a puzzle. More of a "no one needs to know this but look what I've noticed..." situation.
Sorry - completely forgot to reply to this.
We're probably past hints now so here's the track in case you're still wondering...
youtu.be/pxDKjzNKIsM?...
We're probably past hints now so here's the track in case you're still wondering...
youtu.be/pxDKjzNKIsM?...
Pulp - Sorted For E's & Wizz
YouTube video by PulpVEVO
youtu.be
January 8, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Sorry - completely forgot to reply to this.
We're probably past hints now so here's the track in case you're still wondering...
youtu.be/pxDKjzNKIsM?...
We're probably past hints now so here's the track in case you're still wondering...
youtu.be/pxDKjzNKIsM?...
Great clue, got my gold vote 👍
January 8, 2026 at 9:02 AM
Great clue, got my gold vote 👍
🏆 Clue contest No 37 🏆
Submit your best cryptic clue for RESOLUTIONS using the link below.
www.mycrossword.co.uk/contests/37
Submit your best cryptic clue for RESOLUTIONS using the link below.
www.mycrossword.co.uk/contests/37
Clue contest No 37 · MyCrossword
Clue contest No 37 hosted by Aircon is now OPEN on MyCrossword. Submit your best cryptic clue for RESOLUTIONS. Published Thu 1 Jan 2026. Free to enter online.
www.mycrossword.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 8:22 AM
Reposted by Raider
It's another anniversary puzzle, hosted once again with thanks by @mycrossword.co.uk.
Sample clues:
Bride's a cracking shag? (7)
European head pens leader in special issue (6)
mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3013
Sample clues:
Bride's a cracking shag? (7)
European head pens leader in special issue (6)
mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3013
Cryptic crossword No 3,013 · MyCrossword
Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,013 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 32 clues by Catnip. Published Wed 7 Jan 2026. Features annotated solutions and special instructions. Free to solve online.
mycrossword.co.uk
January 7, 2026 at 5:53 PM
It's another anniversary puzzle, hosted once again with thanks by @mycrossword.co.uk.
Sample clues:
Bride's a cracking shag? (7)
European head pens leader in special issue (6)
mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3013
Sample clues:
Bride's a cracking shag? (7)
European head pens leader in special issue (6)
mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3013
Reposted by Raider
If you've packed the Christmas decorations away in the loft, done all the crosswords in the print media and you find yourself at a loose end, there *is* a Stamp in the Independent today.
puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...
puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...
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.
puzzles.independent.co.uk
January 7, 2026 at 10:11 AM
If you've packed the Christmas decorations away in the loft, done all the crosswords in the print media and you find yourself at a loose end, there *is* a Stamp in the Independent today.
puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...
puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...
Reposted by Raider
Interested in setting cryptic crosswords, or improving ... or just finding out more? Following on from Raider's excellent advice at @mycrossword.co.uk, I've started a new blog series looking at how and why cryptics work:
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/setting...
Hope it's useful / interesting!
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/setting...
Hope it's useful / interesting!
Setting Things Right: The Manifezto Pt.1 · MyCrossword
Hi all, welcome to **Setting Things Right** – aka *The Manifezto* (thanks Henri!) – a blog looking at not just *how* cryptic clues and puzzles work, but *why...
www.mycrossword.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Interested in setting cryptic crosswords, or improving ... or just finding out more? Following on from Raider's excellent advice at @mycrossword.co.uk, I've started a new blog series looking at how and why cryptics work:
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/setting...
Hope it's useful / interesting!
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/setting...
Hope it's useful / interesting!
Extra help for impossible clue:
It's a reverse engineer clue for a Britpop song
It's a reverse engineer clue for a Britpop song
January 6, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Extra help for impossible clue:
It's a reverse engineer clue for a Britpop song
It's a reverse engineer clue for a Britpop song
Reposted by Raider
Very happy to be back in the Independent with a crossword today.
I wrote it in 2023, when the world champion at 24ac wasn’t so famous and the brothers in 21dn weren't talking!
Devious new clue following edit (9)
Harry owes cash for present (8)
Free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...
I wrote it in 2023, when the world champion at 24ac wasn’t so famous and the brothers in 21dn weren't talking!
Devious new clue following edit (9)
Harry owes cash for present (8)
Free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...
January 6, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Very happy to be back in the Independent with a crossword today.
I wrote it in 2023, when the world champion at 24ac wasn’t so famous and the brothers in 21dn weren't talking!
Devious new clue following edit (9)
Harry owes cash for present (8)
Free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...
I wrote it in 2023, when the world champion at 24ac wasn’t so famous and the brothers in 21dn weren't talking!
Devious new clue following edit (9)
Harry owes cash for present (8)
Free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...
I'm not sure anyone's going to get this cold but let's see...
Number of zen wizards! (6, 3, 2, 3, 4)
#cryptic #clue #supertricky #soz
Number of zen wizards! (6, 3, 2, 3, 4)
#cryptic #clue #supertricky #soz
January 6, 2026 at 11:22 AM
I'm not sure anyone's going to get this cold but let's see...
Number of zen wizards! (6, 3, 2, 3, 4)
#cryptic #clue #supertricky #soz
Number of zen wizards! (6, 3, 2, 3, 4)
#cryptic #clue #supertricky #soz
I put new tyres on my son's bike over Xmas which made me happy
January 3, 2026 at 9:40 AM
I put new tyres on my son's bike over Xmas which made me happy
Reposted by Raider
Ringing in the New Year in my usual fashion...
The Year in Crosswords, 2025
Or "45x45."
tcampbell.substack.com
January 1, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Ringing in the New Year in my usual fashion...
I'm in print in the i paper today. Originally published 1 Jan 2022.
Here's the Fifteensquared blog:
www.fifteensquared.net/2022/01/01/i...
Here's the Fifteensquared blog:
www.fifteensquared.net/2022/01/01/i...
Independent 10,989 by Raider (Sat 01-Jan 2022) – Fifteensquared
www.fifteensquared.net
January 2, 2026 at 11:02 AM
I'm in print in the i paper today. Originally published 1 Jan 2022.
Here's the Fifteensquared blog:
www.fifteensquared.net/2022/01/01/i...
Here's the Fifteensquared blog:
www.fifteensquared.net/2022/01/01/i...
Reposted by Raider
A record number of debuts, a statistical dilemma and a huge personal milestone - The Year in Crosswords at The Guardian: www.fifteensquared.net/2026/01/01/g...
Guardian Crossword Stats – 2025 – Fifteensquared
www.fifteensquared.net
January 1, 2026 at 5:28 PM
A record number of debuts, a statistical dilemma and a huge personal milestone - The Year in Crosswords at The Guardian: www.fifteensquared.net/2026/01/01/g...
Reposted by Raider
Yes yes I know I’ve already published one today but #reasons 😆
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3000
– Mysterious spy Ruth Hertz conceptualized this (7,6,5,8)
Thanks to those who inadvertently challenged me / tested / helped with the timing, you know who you are 🤩
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3000
– Mysterious spy Ruth Hertz conceptualized this (7,6,5,8)
Thanks to those who inadvertently challenged me / tested / helped with the timing, you know who you are 🤩
Cryptic crossword No 3,000 · MyCrossword
Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,000 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 31 clues by Henri. Published Thu 1 Jan 2026. Features annotated solutions and special instructions. Free to solve online.
www.mycrossword.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 10:58 AM
Yes yes I know I’ve already published one today but #reasons 😆
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3000
– Mysterious spy Ruth Hertz conceptualized this (7,6,5,8)
Thanks to those who inadvertently challenged me / tested / helped with the timing, you know who you are 🤩
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3000
– Mysterious spy Ruth Hertz conceptualized this (7,6,5,8)
Thanks to those who inadvertently challenged me / tested / helped with the timing, you know who you are 🤩
🏆 Clue contest No 37 🏆
Submit your best cryptic clue for RESOLUTIONS using the link below.
www.mycrossword.co.uk/contests/37
Submit your best cryptic clue for RESOLUTIONS using the link below.
www.mycrossword.co.uk/contests/37
Clue contest No 37 · MyCrossword
Clue contest No 37 hosted by Aircon is now OPEN on MyCrossword. Submit your best cryptic clue for RESOLUTIONS. Published Thu 1 Jan 2026. Free to enter online.
www.mycrossword.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 8:20 AM
🏆 Clue contest No 37 🏆
Submit your best cryptic clue for RESOLUTIONS using the link below.
www.mycrossword.co.uk/contests/37
Submit your best cryptic clue for RESOLUTIONS using the link below.
www.mycrossword.co.uk/contests/37
Reposted by Raider
Happy New Year everyone, here’s a mini crossword outlining the year ahead - sample clue:
November: a quiet rest (3)
www.mycrossword.co.uk/mini/196
Thanks as ever to the superlative @mycrossword.co.uk 🙌
November: a quiet rest (3)
www.mycrossword.co.uk/mini/196
Thanks as ever to the superlative @mycrossword.co.uk 🙌
Mini crossword No 196 · MyCrossword
Solve Mini crossword No 196 on MyCrossword. 7x7 grid with 12 clues by Henri. Published Wed 31 Dec 2025. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.
www.mycrossword.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 8:17 AM
Happy New Year everyone, here’s a mini crossword outlining the year ahead - sample clue:
November: a quiet rest (3)
www.mycrossword.co.uk/mini/196
Thanks as ever to the superlative @mycrossword.co.uk 🙌
November: a quiet rest (3)
www.mycrossword.co.uk/mini/196
Thanks as ever to the superlative @mycrossword.co.uk 🙌
Certainly explains Wed-Sat
January 1, 2026 at 7:04 AM
Certainly explains Wed-Sat
No problem - feel free to send a DM
December 31, 2025 at 9:28 AM
No problem - feel free to send a DM
Reposted by Raider
With so many people taking up setting recently, I’ve put together a quick guide to help you get started.
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/becomin...
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/becomin...
Becoming a Cryptic Setter · MyCrossword
So you want to set cryptic crosswords... why? You know there's no money in it, right?
Okay, fine. You've been warned.
If you do, however, love puzzles and ...
www.mycrossword.co.uk
December 30, 2025 at 12:24 PM
With so many people taking up setting recently, I’ve put together a quick guide to help you get started.
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/becomin...
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/becomin...
Pfft
I just picked that word because it had wee in it and I'm a child. Finding a Christmassy surface was a bonus though I must admit.
I just picked that word because it had wee in it and I'm a child. Finding a Christmassy surface was a bonus though I must admit.
December 30, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Pfft
I just picked that word because it had wee in it and I'm a child. Finding a Christmassy surface was a bonus though I must admit.
I just picked that word because it had wee in it and I'm a child. Finding a Christmassy surface was a bonus though I must admit.