Peter's Cryptic Crossword Corner

My thoughts and advice on cryptic crosswords... The information and puzzles here are most likely to be useful for those solving cryptic puzzles published in the UK, although some of it also applies to American cryptics.

How to solve - a one day course

On Sat 19 January 2008, I'm holding a one-day course on cryptic solving. It's aimed at beginners or those who complete part of their daily puzzle but not all of it. More details here.

Offer: If you are baffled by the answer to a cryptic crossword clue, send me the clue, and preferably the answer too! I will try to explain what it's all about. This offer applies to cryptic crossword clues only. If you're using it for the first time, please read the small print below to make sure you get a reply. Send your clues here.

Clarification: If your clue doesn't come from a cryptic crossword, please don't send it. To show that you're sending a cryptic crossword clue, please include the number(s) in brackets indicating the length of the answer, which are included in all cryptic crosswords except a few that should only be tackled by people who don't need my help. Some identification of the puzzle involved and any letters provided by intersecting answers will also help.

How to do it

How not to do it

Guardian 12,345, Enigmatist, 12 May 2005
Act placidly and urge others to finish oooooooooooo (5,4) - checking letters: _ o _ _ _ / _ _ _ s

would you like to try the following, I have been working on them for over a month, they all relate to places, attractions etc in London
1. A beaked galley,a goad and the ninth hour of the day in Roman and ecclesiastical reconing are stirred.
(2 other equally impossible "cryptic clues")

If you "play ball" but don't get a reply, wait a week or two before chasing me - I may be on holiday.

Picture of Peter superimposed on Times puzzle

Information about cryptic puzzles


Places on this site and elsewhere where you can read me banging on about my favourite subject ...

Bookshelf
A list of crossword books - puzzle books, dictionaries and other reference books, and "how to do it" books.

Times Crossword Championship
An unofficial page of information about this annual contest.

Times for the Times
A solving blog for the Times crossword ... and a few others from the Times stable (Sunday Times, cryptic Jumbo and Mephisto at present). Started by me in December 2005, but produced by a team of Times solvers since November 2006. Updated on the day of publication except for prize puzzles, so solve before looking. Each entry includes a solving time, and comments on the puzzle as a whole and some individual clues.

Fifteensquared
A blog for the Guardian and Independent crosswords - same idea, different puzzles.

YAGCC
Yet Another Guide to Cryptic Crosswords - Includes an introduction (with glossary), a list of clue types, some solving tips, thoughts about bad cryptic puzzles, lists of paper and web-based puzzle resources, and some help on British cryptic puzzles for those who struggle with some of the local language used.

Puzzles to try

My puzzles

These are all pretty old at the moment - though I do have a new one in the pipeline. The last three are unchanged reprints of ones I wrote a 10 years ago or more. They both contain musical and UK-specific references.

Pine-Nut desserts (2)

 A puzzle written in May 1998 for the Mining Co. (now About.com) crossword pages, and intended to be solvable in any country where English is the mother tongue..

 Solution

Partnerships

 A puzzle based on well-known pairings. Solution

Summer Crossword

 Mostly about the sunny time of year. Solution

Thematic Puzzle

 Across clues are of a kind. Solution

Guest puzzles

Puzzles by other people ...

Arts puzzle

 A puzzle sent to me by Roy Dean in June 2006 as a personal challenge. Solution page not ready yet. Solution

Magoo's Blog Bonus 1

 A puzzle sent by Mr Magoo in April 2007 as a response to a challenge to setters in my Times blog. Solution page not ready yet. Solution

Magoo's Blog Bonus 2

 A second puzzle sent by Mr Magoo in April 2007 as a response to a (different) challenge to setters in my Times blog. Solution page not ready yet. Solution

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Editor: Peter Biddlecombe
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