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Articles & Books From Crosswords
The cryptic crossword world explained the fun and easy wayEven expert crossword-solvers struggle with cryptics. The clues can often seem nonsensical, mysterious and infuriating, but finally cracking them is immensely satisfying. Solving Cryptic Crosswords For Dummies is designed to help even the most casual crossword lover master these mental feats of gymnastics.
Put your cryptic-cracking skills to use!With over 50 puzzles and 1,750 clues for you to conquer, Cryptic Crossword Puzzles for Dummies is filled with cryptics that range from (relatively) simple to expert-level, along with brief explanations of the most common types of clues and helpful hints on how to solve them.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 08-30-2021
People love to do puzzles of all kinds, but cryptic crosswords are often seen as a challenging form of entertainment — delight may be rare to anyone new to cryptics! This cheat sheet covers the basics of how to start on a cryptic crossword grid, and you’ll also find some handy reference lists and explanations to spotting certain clue devices.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-25-2022
Discover how solving crossword puzzles can benefit your senior brain by strengthening memory, mind function, and more. Next, dive into crossword-puzzle tips for seniors that can enhance your efficiency and enjoyment and hone your puzzle-solving skills.Using crosswords to stimulate your senior brainFor seniors, solving crossword puzzles can fortify memory and ability to focus, according to studies.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-24-2022
Working crossword puzzles is great exercise for your brain — and great fun as well. To maximize your enjoyment and your mental workout, take some time to learn basic tips for solving crossword clues. Then, create the right environment so you can focus, move at your own pace, and give the crossword your best effort.
Article / Updated 06-19-2017
Solving crossword puzzles is more satisfying if you know key tips and strategies. Attain expertise with crossword puzzles by using these techniques. You'll be able to tackle any puzzle grid comfortably and efficiently, and increase your enjoyment in the process. Make sure you’re seated comfortably in a well-lit area.
Article / Updated 04-26-2016
You don’t have to be a crossword puzzle expert to enjoy solving easy puzzles or even more challenging ones. But when you sit down to work on any crossword grid, you’ll likely enjoy yourself more if you keep these simple tips in mind: Work in pencil. By working in pencil, you give yourself permission to guess and make mistakes.
Article / Updated 04-26-2016
Crossword puzzles are just plain fun to solve, not to mention the great mental workout you get. If you're new to working crosswords, keep the following basic tips in mind: Keep key resources, such as the following, on hand (whether in electronic or hard-copy form): A dictionary A slang dictionary A thesaurus An atlas An almanac Work in pencil.
Article / Updated 04-26-2016
While they do look completely incomprehensible at first glance, cryptic clues are actually written along strict guidelines. The majority of clues in a cryptic crossword adhere to these standards: Every cryptic clue includes a straight definition of the answer, just like in a ‘regular’ crossword. Astonishing, but true!
Article / Updated 04-26-2016
Here are some basic abbreviations that are very useful to have by your side when cracking cryptic clues! The list is concise and only focuses on the harder abbreviations. Straightforward abbreviations and simple foreign words have been omitted from this list. 10 = X 100 = C 1,000 = M 5 = V 50 = L a follower = B about = C, CE, RE against = V (versus) alien = ET American soldier = GI ancient city = UR ancient times = BC Anglo-Saxon = AS Arabic = AR artist = RA (Royal Academy) Asian = E (Eastern) at home = IN bishop = B (chess) Bond’s boss = M book = B bridge player = N, S, E, W British = B, BR Capone = AL carbon copy = CC castle = R (rook) chapter = C or CH chief = CH Church of England = CE civil engineer = CE cross = X club/s = C (cards) Common Era = CE Cyprus = CY daughter = D degree = D, BA, MA diamond/s = D (cards) Diana = DI direction = N, S, E,W doctor = DR, MB, MD, MO dram = DR duck = O (cricketing) Elizabeth = E English = E exercise = PT or PE exist = BE fine = F (pencil), OK first = IST (1st) first class = AI (A1) fish = LING, EEL, COD etc.