Introduction To Word Fit Puzzles
There are various strategies that can be used when solving word fit puzzles, if the puzzle has a single solution: like ours do - otherwise you might as well just guess!
The most intuitive rule is to look at the start for where there is only one word of a given word length: this can be written in. As you solve the puzzle, always look out for if there is only one word of a given length left, as whenever there is, you can always just write it in.
Occasionally when solving a puzzle you will come to a decision point. This is where there are two or more words available for every placement in the grid. When you come to a decision point, it makes sense to pick the placement with the least options. For instance if there are three words that fit in position A and two in position B, focus on position B, as there is less to consider.
The most important rule you will use at a decision point is the 'if / else' logic. Imagine that you place option A: what letters will appear in the crossover positions? Then check the words that can fit in those positions: are there any? If so, then this is a possible fit. If not, then this option can be discarded and the other word must be the correct option.
By using this if/else logic you will always be able to work your way through to the single, unique solution for each puzzle.
Puzzles on this site range in difficulty, with some being easy and requiring very little if any if/else logic, whilst others are quite tricky and will have various points in the solving process where you will need to consider your options before knowing for sure which answer to write where.
We hope you find this introduction to solving word fit puzzles useful - if you have any questions or comments, please do feel free to post below!
Date written: 24 Apr 2015
Comment on this post
You must be logged in to comment - please Register or Login
Cryptic Crosswords: Hidden Word Clues
One type of cryptic crossword clue is called the 'hidden word' clue. As the name suggests, the answer here is actually hidden in the clue.
This sounds like it would be far too easy, but actually these answers can be very hard to spot - even when you...
Added: 17 Apr 2015
Codeword Solving Tool
If you want help with solving codewords, then there are various tips and techniques that you can use, as outlined on other blog entries here at Wordy Puzzle.
However, sometimes if you get completely stuck on a puzzle, then you might want some outside...
Added: 18 Mar 2015
Creating A New Type Of Word Puzzle
Creating a new type of puzzle is always exciting. Here are some suggestions as to how to go about the process:
Firstly, you need the idea. This is obviously the most important element. The best way to go about this is often to look at an existing...
Added: 17 May 2015
Homophone Clues In Cryptic Crosswords
Cryptic crossword clues, as you'll have seen through this series of blog posts, come in various distinct types, and the list we've covered is not even exhaustive!
One of the clue types that people often struggle with is the homophone clue, or...
Added: 13 Apr 2015
Deconstructing Cryptic Crossword Clues
In order to solve a cryptic crossword, you need to be able to break the clue down into its separate parts. In most cases, this requires successful analysis as to which part of the clue is the straight definition, and which is the cryptic part.
Then...
Added: 22 Apr 2015
Back to Puzzle Blog
Puzzle Types:
