Beginner's guide to Crossword solving—introduction

there are many different versions of the game crosswords, many ways to play, and many countries and cultures around the world where the game is played.

In this feature the Muse focuses on American-style crosswords, the most popular and widespread form of the game, with English-style crosswords coming in second. Other nations, most noteworthy those of Great Britain, have their own styles of play and their own puzzle construction conventions.

the Muse offers a few suggestions, ideas, and some down-home advice about what and how to cross words. The primary audience consists of crossword beginners who believe that knowledge of the rudiments of solving crosswords will help them begin to play and solve puzzles easier, faster, and more skillfully. It assumes no special knowledge on the part of this audience.

But even players more advanced this may have something to gain from these pages. What this feature offers may have appeal and value for three very different kinds of audiences: 1) solvers, 2) nascent and potential solvers, and 3) casual observers. A secondary audience consists of those who professionally produce and distribute puzzles—constructors, editors, and publishers—who might be curious about how the other half lives or about what they may discover learn by perusing these pages.

the challenge

When it comes to solving crosswords, the Muse makes no pretense; there's lots for the Muse to learn. Nevertheless, the Muse has a few good ideas to offer, facts and information, and some other things to say that may help beginners come up to speed and start them down the road that leads to proficiency.

Solving crosswords can be a casual occurrence, a pastime, a hobby, or even a profession; it means many different things to many different people. No matter what kind or degree of gratification you derive from the game, whichever camp you tent in, regardless of why or how well you play, as with most of the things you do in life, it pays to do it well. The more skill you bring to bear, the more knowledge you apply, the more fun and satisfaction you will have.

At heart, crosswords is a simple game; many people start playing without a scintilla of prior knowledge. But there's more to it than meets the eye of the uninitiated; it's one of those games that's deceptively simple on the surface, but the more you play, the more there is to uncover.

the glossary

Accordingly, the Muse has included a glossary designed to meet the needs and answer the questions of a variety of players, those who play or construct at various levels of interest and expertise. The choice is yours: you can visit the Crossword Glossary to simply to look up the definition of a word; or you can explore in depth to learn much about the subtle, not-so-obvious  underpinnings of the game.

More about crosswords

Elsewhere in the Muse Of Language Arts' pages on crosswords, the Muse has expressed the idea that crossword puzzles are a language art (see Welcome To the World Of Crossword Puzzles). Start to polish your art now.