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
Novelty Crosswords: Missing Vowel Puzzles
A missing vowel puzzle is a type of crossword variant that, as the name implies, is rather light on vowels!
The puzzle is presented as a normal crossword, but with a novel twist: instead of orthodox clues, all the answers appear under the grid, BUT...
Added: 27 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
Learning To Solve Codewords
Learning to solve codewords takes patience: they are one puzzle type that you definitely get better at over time, and can find extremely difficult the first few puzzles you solve. After that you will find tactics that work for you, and will be able to...
Added: 26 Mar 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
Introduction To Wordwheel Puzzles
Word wheel puzzles are one of the simplest of all word puzzles, and belong to the set of word puzzles that are, essentially, anagrams.
If you have ever played the game Countdown, then you will know the aim is to find the single longest word you can...
Added: 25 Mar 2015
Back to Puzzle Blog
Puzzle Types:
