How to solve cryptic crosswords – the ultimate beginner’s guide
… is that there’s no such thing as cheating. Use the dictionary. Look up a solvers’ blog. Phone a friend. It’s your puzzle. In any event, most of our online puzzles offer a “reveal this” option.
… are directed to our quick cryptic. Here our setters work in a gentler mode in smaller grids – and, crucially, they tell you which tricks they are using each time. Here’s the archive.
The best way is to solve with a friend or family member, in person or on the other end of a messaging thread. And the best puzzles for beginners are our three kindest series:
and on Mondays, the Guardian’s setters are asked to take a little less of your time while still making sure to amuse – scroll through these.
The more puzzles you solve, the more you start to regard the names attached like those of authors – or friends. To get to know the people who create these things, we have an interview series, Meet the Setter.
Really, there are only about 10 basic tricks in this game, plus a bunch of abbreviations that you probably already know from the real world.
