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
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