This A4 book teaches beginners how to solve cryptic crosswords. It starts with the simplest ideas and easiest types of cryptic clue, and gradually builds to the advanced aspects of clue solving. This approach makes learning easier. Written explanations are supported by diagrams, each topic is followed by exercises to reinforce the key learning points, and every chapter ends with practice puzzles to consolidate skill development. The book will provide you with a comprehensive, structured learning route to an enjoyable and stimulating pastime.
James Coleman has analysed a massive collection of clues and explains clearly and concisely how to understand them. He divides this volume into two principal parts, how to interpret the clue for what it is, and how to identify the elements within the clue.
Expert crossword compiler and solver Kevin Skinner shows in easy steps how to solve those trickier puzzles. Once you recognize the type of clue used, you're half way to finding the answer. Learn to spot: . Double straight clues . Double meaning clues . Word exchange clues . Homophone clues . Anagrams . And all the other clever clues beloved of crossword compilers Work your way through the example crosswords provided and hone your new-found skills. The explanations show how the answers are arrived at, so you can see precisely how each clue works. Next time you come across a clue of the same type, you'll be able to tease out the answer for yourself and beat the compiler at their own game!
The cryptic crossword world explained the fun and easy way Even 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. Packed with clear explanations, helpful hints, and practice crosswords, the book explains how to approach these problems in a clear and logical manner, providing hints on identifying the different kinds of clues and tips on how to solve them. Explains cryptic crosswords, from the (relatively) simple to advanced puzzles Guides readers through common and not-so-common clues to help decipher even the most confusing cryptics Illustrates the top tips, tricks, and clues to cracking any cryptic Includes practice puzzles to put your new skills to the test Covers both Commonwealth and U.S. style cryptics and highlights the subtle differences between each Cryptic crosswords have emerged as one of today's most popular brainteasers, and Solving Cryptic Crosswords For Dummies is the one-stop resource for becoming a puzzle pro.
Cryptic crosswords are fun but most people are scared of them. The general opinion is "Oh, they are too hard." Nothing could be further from the truth; once you learn the tricks they are essentially easier to do than the simple daily crosswords you struggle with every day in your daily newspaper. You don't have to be a university graduate. A second grader can handle cryptic-solving with the proper guidance. You can too, just by following the lessons in this book. Cryptic crosswords are addictive. Once you become interested in them you are hooked. Alcohol, drugs and tobacco are also addictive but these metaphorically fry your brain and destroy your health. A cryptic crossword addiction is good for you. It stimulates your thoughts, sharpens your memory and keeps your mind active. It opens up mental doors to greater understanding of the written text and keeps you mentally alert well into the declining years of old age. Scientists agree that an old mind can learn new tricks and perform intriguing tasks as well as a young mind. Studies have shown that people who remain mentally active reading, writing and doing crossword puzzles tend to stay sharper longer and are less likely to get dementia than people who are less mentally active. A cryptic crossword is actually a simple puzzle set in code or in a form that seems complicated to the straightforward reader. Basically it is a skillful form of wordplay. The coded portion of the clue normally confirms the answer and makes it easier to solve for the connoisseur [you, when you complete all the lessons in this book]. Other E-Books by this author Sex and Hanky-Panky in the Old Folk's Home The 80 Year Old Virgin from Outer Space Loving words inspire inner peace When the tax man shows up at your door; counter attack. Tight fisted Business Ideas
Quiz your family at home with crosswords, puzzles and games. Expert crossword solver and setter, Tim Moorey, seeks to dispel the myth that cryptic crosswords are the preserve of the elite. In this new, easy guide, he demonstrates that anyone who enjoys words and word play can learn to solve a cryptic crossword clue.
A little gem of a memoir... The book adds up to more than a sum of its parts and lingers in the memory long after the final page. -- Sunday Telegraph Half a million people a day do it in the Telegraph. The Times claims almost as many, and the Guardian 300,000. Most people remember their first time, and everyone has a favourite. You can do it in bed, standing up, or on a train. You can do it alone, with a loved one or in groups. The Queen does it in the bath. It is not illegal, immoral or fattening. In fact it tops the Home Office list of approved entertainments for prison inmates. Crosswords are a very British obsession. Crosswords are a very British obsession. Pretty Girl in Crimson Rose is a personal reminiscence and a guide to solving crossword puzzles. But it is much, much more than a 'how-to' book. Each chapter is starts with a clue, and uses anecdote, history and autobiography to solve it, in the process describing something of what it means to love England. In the process, we encounter The Best Crossword Clue Ever, The Most Beautiful Clue in the World 'Pretty Girl in Crimson Rose' and the eccentric personalities behind such legendary compilers as the Guardian's Araucaria and The Times'Ximenes.
Gettinby has been compiling cryptic crosswords for more than 20 years. This volume contains 75 crossword puzzles and includes both cryptic clues, straight clues, and solutions.
The National Puzzlers' League (NPL) was founded in 1883 and is the oldest puzzlers' organization in the world. For over 100 years, crosswords and other word puzzles that appear in the NPL's monthly magazine, The Enigma, could be enjoyed only by NPL members. Now, for the first time, a selection of the league's favorite cryptic crosswords is available in book form for puzzle fans everywhere to enjoy. Unlike regular crossword puzzles, each clue in a cryptic crossword has two parts--one that's straightforward and one that involves one or more types of wordplay--and part of the fun is determining which part is which and what type of wordplay is involved. For example, Shoestring allowances lead to tears (11) is a cryptic clue for LACERATIONS. The straightforward part of the clue is tears, which is a definition for LACERATIONS. The wordplay part of the clue is Shoestring allowances which can be expressed as LACE + RATIONS which lead to LACERATIONS. The number in parentheses tells you the number and length of the answer words--in this case, it's one 11-letter word. Another example, with a different type of wordplay is Rearrange, rearrange ram's front (9) which is a cryptic clue for TRANSFORM. Rearrange is a straightforward definition of TRANSFORM and rearrange ram's front tells you to rearrange, or anagram, the nine letters in ram's front giving you the nine-letter word TRANSFORM. One of most fascinating things about cryptics is that the clues are a combination of tremendous creativity and imagination, on one hand, and strict, formal rules, on the other. This book contains 45 variety cryptics from members of the NPL, many of them by distinguished puzzle authors, as well as a foreword by Will Shortz, the New York Times crossword editor and the NPL's official historian PuzzleMeter: Difficulty--Very Difficult; Style--Contemporary]
A new series of 80 puzzles from The "Times "adapting the cryptic puzzle for those with a hectic lifestyle and schedule. Ideal for those starting out with cryptic crosswords, and those who d like to tackle the main puzzle but feel daunted, or who can perhaps only solve a handful of clues. Appearing Monday to Friday in the puzzle pages of "Times2," this crossword has a reduced 13x13 grid size and reduced difficulty too, the intention being to encourage people to take their first steps in tackling cryptic crosswords. And also to cater for those of us who have limited time to devote to our favorite pastime and need a ready-made set of puzzles that is solvable in a short space of time. "
