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Warning: This post contains a spoiler for a clue in The Times cryptic crossword 27806 (27 Oct 20). So, if you are attempting that crossword and yet to tackle that clue please read no further.

I am new to cryptic crossword solving (2 weeks a learner). I like cryptic crosswords over “normal” crosswords as you’re required to think a lot more about the clue.

The joy I get from solving a clue is great. When I read the clue, think about it (usually takes some time) and work the answer out I feel really good. I also like it when I have to look up the answer because I just cannot work it out on my own, and I think about how the answer was obtained from the clue, and I understand it, I feel pleased.

For example, and here’s the forewarned spoiler:

Intellectual encouraged absorbing sources of history and art, separately (7)

I couldn’t get this one, but one aspect of it that I “solved” that really made me feel pleased with myself was the part “absorbing sources of history and art, separately”. I guessed that sources meant the first letter (the source) of both history and art (H & A). It took a little while for me to realise that the word “separately” was telling me that the two letters I obtained (H&A) were not meant to be placed alongside one another, but rather they were to be separated.

Despite solving that bit, I was not able to come up with the answer, and so I looked it up.

The answer was Egghead.

At first, I couldn’t understand the egg part of the clue as I saw no apparent food reference in the cryptic clue. Then it struck me: to encourage is to egg. Seeing as the word encouraged was past tense, I guessed that egg in this sense would be past tense too. So, egged. Insert the separated H & A into egged and I saw egghead. Awesome.

As I said, I did have to look up the answer, but I never feel despondent about having to do that as I do learn so much from looking at the answer, looking at the clue, and understanding how the answer is obtained from the clue. I feel this serves a purpose in helping me to understand cryptic clues, and to be able to spot indicators etc.

If I had attempted that answer two weeks ago, I would have not understood any part of it. But now that I have been studying how to solve cryptic clues I am starting to recognise certain key elements to solving them.

A real sense of achievement for me.

What do you like abut cryptic crosswords?

hi myrm
to speed your learning progress you might like to try guardian puzzles. they are free online here
https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords
there is a beginners' one called the quiptic every monday, and there is a site that not only gives the answers, it explains them, here
http://www.fifteensquared.net/

Hi Chrise

That is some awesomely helpful advice you have provided here. Thank you so much, I am vary grateful to you. :)

The puzzles I attempt are the Listener, Inquisitor, Enigmatic Variations and the ones in the Daily Telegraph. I only try the Times occasionally, partly because I find them more difficult than the ones I've mentioned.

I would recommend a newcomer like you, Myrm, to take out a subscription to Telegraph puzzles online. It's only about £35 a year, all the puzzles are there and the standard cryptic one is usually not too difficult. If you get good at it, you can try the Toughies.

I have a subscription to The Times digital, hence why I attempt their crossword :-).

But I will look at the Telegraph crossword subscription. Thank you for that. :-)

So, I looked at some Telegraph cryptic crosswords (yesterday and today), and I have to say I am finding them harder than The Times cryptic crossword.

Though I find The Times cryptic clues hard, I am often left with a feeling that the answer is lurking in the back of my head, or on the tip of my tongue.

However, with the Telegraph, I read the clues and get absolutely nothing. It's like the Times cryptic is written in a language I am distantly familiar with, whereas the Telegraph cryptic clues are written in a language I have never even heard of before.

Perhaps I will look at the cryptic in The Grauniad. :-)

Myrm, the thing with the Guardian is that they have a range of setters for the cryptic. Each one has a slightly different style so you may find some more approachable than others. It may be that cryptics that don't name the setter have a panel of setters but they stick to a 'house style'. I was 'taught' how to do cryptics using the Telegraph and then moved on to the Guardian but, even now, I find it difficult to get on the wavelength of one or two Guardian setters.

One good thing about the G though is that all the solutions are available with parsings for past crosswords. This should help to get going and perhaps choose a single setter to start with.

Hi Granama1

Many thanks for your advice. So far, I have tried the Telegraph and Grauniad puzzles for today, and I am fairing better with the Grauniad. I generally attempt the Times in the evenings.

I have just purchased a book on my Kindle called "The Telegraph: How To Solve a Cryptic Crossword: Mastering cryptic crosswords made easy" (The Telegraph Puzzle Books)

I am sure that will aid me too. :)

The Monday Quiptic is a good way to get a taste of the Guardian. Yesterday’s Nutmeg was also rather nice. They tend to get harder as the week progresses, though that’s not always true of course ;)

I should add, the discussion threads here of the weekend Guardian puzzles are always super helpful!