In aid of RNIB and BBC Children in Need
Hints and tips for solving cryptic crossword clues.
Subscribe to receive Hints & Tips by email.
Clues by Pasquale and Grid by Bozzy The background for this puzzle is an Alan Green photograph of the Menai Strait spanned by the Menai Suspension Bridge. This puzzle marks a 75th anniversary. Eight asterisked thematic clues lack a definition: one of their solutions is the pioneer being celebrated which solvers should submit with their… Read more Hints & Tips November 2021
If you fancy designing your own 3D crossword, this guide will help you. At the end of each year we run the 3D Crosswords World Championship, which includes a grid design element, as well as a separate 3D grid design competition (the RPM Trophy). Anyone may enter the RPM Trophy competition and entries are considered… Read more 3D Grid Design Guide
Clues by Qaos and Grid by Mang The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph in shades of red and yellow depicting some pipework: possibly the interior of a furnace or an engine. The 7 dials grid marks the 156th anniversary of a defining point in the field of Day 34 and for… Read more Hints & Tips October 2021
Clues by Sirius and Grid by Komorník The background for this puzzle is a Henry Perks photograph showing a sunset over a pair of gasholders. This clever 7x5x5 Komorník grid by was one of the entries to our April Extra grid design competition. It celebrates a topical anniversary in a never-ending serial currently (in mid… Read more Hints & Tips August Extra 2021
Clues and Grid by Shark The background for this puzzle is a posterised black and white Graham Fox photograph showing two bicycles. The 5x5x7 grid celebrates the 75th anniversary of the birth of 5ac 13ac (“the star”) and also a 30th anniversary later this year. Twenty answers must have the same thematic letter inserted or… Read more Hints & Tips September 2021
Clues and Grid by Sirius The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph showing a wineglass, though it’s hard to tell whether it’s half-empty or half-full. This innovative grid by Sirius is in the form of a torus (or an inflated tyre, to be less technical). This is like a seven dials puzzle,… Read more Hints & Tips August 2021
Clues by Vlad and Grid by Gin The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph showing a mouth-watering pile of limes. This grid by Gin marks 58th and 70th anniversaries of important dates in the life of one of a famous (or rather notorious) group. His epithet appears in the yellow highlighted squares.… Read more Hints & Tips July 2021
Clues by Imogen and Grid by Max Liversidge The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph showing some ropes tied in knots. This grid by Max Liversidge doesn’t mark a specific anniversary, but instead combines many anniversaries of a specific type “relevant to present times”. The different anniversaries have undefined asterisked clues, and… Read more Hints & Tips June 2021
Clues by Tramp and Grid by Max Jackson The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph showing some colourful flowers, possibly lupins. This grid by Max Jackson celebrates the 70th anniversary of a cultural institution. There are ten undefined thematic entries, divided into a quartet and a sextet. Three of the quartet portrayed… Read more Hints & Tips May 2021
Clues and Grid by Puck The background for this puzzle is a Bernard Spragg photograph showing a gear mechanism connecting two shafts at right angles. This grid by Puck won the 2019 RPM Trophy. The puzzle marks a notable anniversary of religious significance. The event in question has an apparently revolting name which rarely fails… Read more Hints & Tips April 2021