Solving Cryptic Crosswords - Helpful Articles

[AB Editor]

Hi all!
I’d like to be able to give people a bit more help with crosswords and create a few sort of how-to articles to help out people who may be new to solving cryptic crosswords, to make a bit of a learning hub here on The AnswerBank.

So I am wondering what kind of information would be useful for us to provide. Thinking back to when you first started solving cryptics (or if you’re just getting started now), was there anything in particular that you found difficult, or any information that would have helped you? If someone wanted to learn how to solve cryptic crosswords, what advice would you give them?

I’m thinking the articles could share some common ways to parse clues, and common tactics that setters use, such as double meanings, anagrams, etc. I have a rough idea of what we might do but am keen to get your feedback on what might be useful!

Also, are there any other types of puzzles you’d like similar help with?

Thanks!
Ed

[Rosie29]

I tell myself I musn't try to "make sense" of the clue. As the wonderful Auracaria said on Desert Island Discs its a battle of wits between the compiler and you.

[Arrods]

Whenever someone says 'Oh, I can never solve cryptic clues' I say that generally, they have two clues in each one. Thus, the key words pointing to an anagram or where the answer is a string of consecutive letters within the clue will point to the second part of the clue. With practice, cryptic clues become easier to solve, at least easier than general knowledge clues.

[dannyk13]

One way to get used to cryptics is to note the parsing of the clues that have been answered.

[EcclesCake]

Umpteen years ago The Daily Telegraph published, over the course of a week I think, a beginners guide to solving cyptic crosswords. If my memory serves me correctly it was to celebrate their 20,000th cryptic crossword.

I found it invaluable, I wish I could find it for Mr Cake as his brain just isn't wired for cryptic despite my gentle coaching.

[dannyk13]

Sure it wasn't this one Eccles?
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/may/03/how-to-solve-cryptic-crossword

[dannyk13]

Or this one?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/solve-cryptic-crosswords/

[EcclesCake]

No this really was years ago Danny, but thank you I will share with Mr Cake and hope to get his brain working appropriately.

He may be highly educated and intelligent but give him a cryptic crossword he just looks at it blankly. I want to expand his abstract thinking :-)

[atalanta]

Offer these websites:
http://www.crosswordsolver.org/forum/
http://oneacross.com/
http://www.wordfun.ca/
http://www.amo.qc.ca/cgi-bin/pub/ODico/dico.out
http://www.anagram-solver.net/

[aelmpvw]

not that it matters, i'm just curious but why is this thread in the unanswered section of crosswords?

[dannyk13]

That is a question for Ms Ed.

[CrapAtCryptics]

if I read all this stuff do I have to change my name :-(

[Ken4155]

UsedToBeCrapAtCryptics does have a certain ring to it:-)

[alidoc]

Some compilers are always difficult and some clues are just too obtuse, I've given up trying to parse most of the clues in the Express Skeleton, even with the answers they often don't make any sense. I suspect they are set by a computer with a vital piece missing !

[dannyk13]

Alidoc, the Skeleton has always been like that,Quite often a good guess is required.

[BabsM]

Many years ago, I "taught" myself cryptics by going through the previous day's answers to the Telegraph crosswords and working out the logic (or otherwise...). Gradually, the penny dropped.

I was sitting next to a bored colleague on a very long flight (to Australia...). He asked how I'd arrived at a couple of answers. I explained. He said I should be "out there" on my broomstick....

[Thecorn]

If you want to solve a cryptic crossword to prove how smart you are, then you will probably fail, but if it's because you enjoy puzzles and thinking laterally you will eventually become adept see the hole not the doughnut ?;)

[dxhound2003]

For people who do the (London) Times crosswords, there is a very useful blog called Time for the Times.

http://times-xwd-times.livejournal.com/

And as has been said before, with cryptic clues, the answer is nearly always defined at the start or at the end of the clue.