Skeleton Crossword Solving Tips
The first tip we would recommend is to understand and make full use of the symmetry the grids exhibit - for full details on this read the blog post that goes through this element of solving the puzzles in a great level of detail.
The next tip is to use the clues, and use them carefully. Particularly use the fact that you are given several clue numbers at the start of the puzzle: if you can work out the answers to those, then you can make a great deal of solving progress, because you can mark in the white squares due to symmetry and also you can mark in a black square at the end of the run you've just solved.
It is also worth reading through all clues in the grid and working out if you know what the answer is, knowing how long an answer is can be very instructive when it comes to resolving the finer details of the grid at a later point in the solving process.
As you start to get more information about what goes where, then you should start to find you build up momentum solving.
One of the most frustrating things with a skeleton crossword can be backtracking if you make a mistake. Therefore the next couple of tips are unique to using the Wordy Puzzle online skeleton crossword solving process.
The first tip is to use the 'show wrong moves' tool for the first few puzzles you solve, just while you get confident. Although some people think this is a form of cheating, for those who are beginning to solve the puzzles it can be invaluable, and most importantly it allows you to see any mistaken letters you mark in the grid straightaway before you make too much progress.
The second tip about using the player is to save your progress often. That way you can reset to your solved position if you make a mistake, and it also allows you to engage in some 'what if' logic if you are not quite sure. Good luck!
Date written: 31 Mar 2015
Comment on this post
You must be logged in to comment - please Register or Login
Tips On Solving Cryptogram Puzzles
Cryptogram puzzles are very satisfying to solve. However, they can also prove rather tricky and take some time to crack, so they can also be frustrating - just like other tricky puzzles such as cryptic crosswords.
How should you tackle a cryptogram?...
Added: 25 Apr 2015
Novelty Crossword Types
There are many different types of crossword. The most common standard types are the cryptic crossword, the quick crossword and the general knowledge crossword.
However, if you look around, you'll find lots of crossword variant puzzles, some very...
Added: 31 May 2015
Introduction To Word Fit Puzzles
Word fit puzzles are one of those types of puzzle that have a huge range of different names: you might know it as letter fit, or kriss kross, or indeed as criss cross. Whatever you know it as, the rules are the same: place each word into the grid once....
Added: 24 Apr 2015
Tips On Increasing Your Vocabulary
Increasing your vocabulary can be great fun, and certainly it doesn't need to be a chore. If you are interested in building your vocabulary, then chances are that you are interested in words anyway, so learning more will be that rare thing - a truly fun...
Added: 15 Mar 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
Back to Puzzle Blog
Puzzle Types:
