SOLVE CROSSWORD PUZZLES EASILY LIKE A CHAMPION

 HOW TO SOLVE A CROSSWORD WITH EASE

Got stuck while solving a Crossword Puzzle? And then feel insecure watching others apparently run through the cryptic clues without breaking into a sweat…Relax, here is a guide to solving all crossword puzzles like a literate Don!

Cryptic crosswords originated in the UK ~1923. A cryptic crossword is a crossword puzzle in which each clue is a word puzzle in and of itself. Cryptic crosswords are particularly popular in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Israel, the Netherlands, and in several Commonwealth nations, including Australia, Canada, India, Kenya, Malta, New Zealand, and South Africa. In the United States, cryptic puzzles are sometimes known as "British-style" crosswords. Enough of this intro. 

We all know what a puzzle looks like. It is usually set on a scrabble board, with certain provisos. The top first quarter must be the mirror image of the bottom fourth quarter. It is the same with the top 2nd quarter and the lower 3rd quarter.  I have included 8 Down as an example of a clue is a word puzzle in and of itself. A quick glance at the package of clues below reveals: Members of the family are out, I stress (7). The solution will be a 7-letter word that means 'members of a family'; 'are out' indicates that there is an anagram or reworking of 'I stress.' SISTERS is an easy solution.

You do not need to be a wizard at vocabulary, nor do you need to be a spelling Bee. The crossword will add one word to your vocab every time you solve one and improve your spelling immeasurably. But you do have to think out of the box. The setters are devious people and you need to approach them with devious intent.

1		2		3			4	5		6		7		8 S
														I
9							10							S
						11								T
12									13					E
								14						R
15					16							17		S
				18
19											20			21
										22
23		24					25
						26
27									28
29									30

 Now for the clues:

 

Start  with the anagrams. You may recognise many others as you glance over them, but let them be for Round 2.

Abbreviations: Certain words have abbreviations in jargon or slang. Some examples are as follows:   Doctor: md/dr; Sailor: ab; American soldier: gi; silent/soft: p or b; very silent or very soft: pp or bb; time: era/eon/age;Shakespeare:bard; owe: iou; ?/!: something unusual.  We'll keep learning as we go along. Remember, each clue is a word puzzle in and of itself. In effect, there will be two clues in what you first see as a single clue.

Across: 12,23,25,29; Down: 8,14,17.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

I

9

10

S

11

T

12A

N

I

S

E

T

T

E

13

E

14A

R

15

16

S

17A

S

18

C

N

19

E

20

A

21

T

22

R

23C

A

24R

A

F

E

25D

I

V

O

R

C

E

E

26

C

H

27

28

I

S

29T

R

E

A

T

I

S

E

30

M

12.It’s eaten as an aperitif(8). An eight letter word, as seen (8). ANISETTE is close to an aperitif. 

23.Drunken RAF ace holds it for a drink.(6) Drunken is a clue for anagram. The solution is something from the words RAF & ACE that can hold a drink: CARAFE

25.I covered for one who may have deserted her husband.(8) may have is a clue for anagram. There you go: DIVORCEE

29. It’s a tree used in a composition(8) Composition is both tip-off and solution. TREATISE

Down

8. Members of a family are out, I stress.  SISTERS --Please see the 1st diagram. This square is missing.

14. He takes little pleasure from organising ice acts.(7) ASCETIC

17. A rich man’s form of lawlessness(9). ANARCHISM

You do get some letters slotted. They will help later.

1

2

3

4S

5T

U

6D

I

7O

U

8S

E

D

I

9

10

L

O

S

11S

I

U

T

12A

N

I

S

E

T

T

E

13A

V

E

R

S

E

A

14A

E

R

15

16

R

S

R

17A

S

18

T

C

Y

N

19

L

E

20

A

21P

E

T

22P

R

R

23C

A

24R

A

F

E

25D

I

V

O

R

C

E

E

I

26P

C

L

H

S

27

F

A

28

I

I

E

L

S

T

S

N

29T

R

E

A

T

I

S

E

30P

E

R

M

I

T

 Across --4: Scanning the books for money owing on the horses. Whenever ‘owe’ features, rest assured that IOU will form part of the solution. The solution is an adjective, so expect an S. IOUS. Horses/ scanning give you stud farm and studying. So: STUDIOUS.

13. Disinclined to write an article on poetry(6) , ending in E. The only articles possible are A/AN.

Poetry: VERSES  Soln: AVERSE

30. Let pass(6). Soln is a synonym for BOTH let and pass, with an M as 4^th letter. PERMIT.

Down—6. Labour in a manner of speaking. Here, labour is a part clue. Manner of speaking= delivery. Women’s labour, when about to deliver. DELIVERY

7. Do come up with our bouquet. DO come up=OD, add OUR, ODOUR. 

Now for the next lot:

11. Surprise opening by the French. Opening-synonym is start. French ‘the’ is always le. So, STARTLE a synonym of surprise.

21. Is tense (7) Tense can be anxious or present/past/future. PRESENT.

22. In a European, it is courteous. We have O & E. IT goes into some European and we get a synonym of courteous. Polite? POLE is a Polish citizen. Put IT in and get POLITE.

24. Loot includes stock (5), starting with R and ending with E. RIFLE.

26. Examination success for soft headed dunce. Soft is B/P. Dunce=Ass. P on ASS=PASS.

2. Blooming good example of self interest (9) The I-S-S give us a clue. And Trump has often been described so. NARCISSUS. It is also a rather rare flower.

1

2N

3

4S

5T

U

6D

I

7O

U

8S

A

E

D

I

9

R

10

L

O

S

C

11S

I

U

T

12A

N

I

S

E

T

T

E

13A

V

E

R

S

E

S

A

14A

E

R

15K

I

S

S

16C

R

O

S

S

R

O

17A

D

S

U

18

T

C

Y

N

19B

E

S

T

S

E

L

L

E

R

20

A

21P

E

T

22P

R

R

23C

A

24R

A

F

E

25D

I

V

O

R

C

E

E

I

26P

C

L

H

S

27O

F

F

B

R

E

A

K

28V

I

R

I

L

E

L

S

T

S

N

29T

R

E

A

T

I

S

E

30P

E

R

M

I

T

 Now for the tricky ones.

Across:

10. Sore times for ships(8). Times could be ERAS, AGES, etc. The one we want is EONS. One synonym for sore is GALL. GALLEONS, ships of times gone by.

9. One hundred  in  a capital city said to be poor. This is a brilliant brain teaser. One hundred is 1C or IC. Capital city is York or New York. IC can fit only as YORICK. Yorick is the famous skull in Hamlet, which the prince takes from a gravedigger and says: “Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him well.”

Kiss is good.

Down:

1.  A heavenly spree?(7) The ? suggests some jiggery pokery. SKY suggests itself as heavenly. LARK is the closest one gets to a spree. So, SKYLARK.

3. Firework lecture (6) Only ROCKET fits this one. Lecture would then mean a disciplinary talk.

18. Invite trouble because of appearance in a satirical show(3,3,2). Invite=ASK; Satirical show = SKIT. There is an overlap here, because we know inviting trouble is asking for it. ASK FOR IT.

19. Simple: BACK OUT

Across:

1.We have SENTRY. Apparently, half of us is S, on door =entry, so SENTRY. A default soln.

20. Doctor is DR/MB/MD/GP. We already have _A_P. Here we have morning AM in GP, GAMP. Gamp is an acronym related to the medical world.

Down:

I know the soln is TEAR, but can’t reason why. Looks like A drops into TER, where TER is an abbreviation for total expense ratio. 

 

1S

E

2N

T

3R

Y

4S

5T

U

6D

I

7O

U

8S

K

A

O

E

E

D

I

9Y

O

R

I

C

K

10G

A

L

L

E

O

N

S

L

C

K

11S

R

I

U

T

12A

N

I

S

E

T

T

E

13A

V

E

R

S

E

R

S

T

A

14A

E

R

15K

I

S

S

16C

R

O

S

S

R

O

17A

D

S

U

18A

T

C

Y

N

19B

E

S

T

S

E

L

L

E

R

20G

A

M

21P

A

K

E

T

22P

R

R

23C

A

24R

A

F

E

25D

I

V

O

R

C

E

E

K

I

O

26P

C

L

H

S

27O

F

F

B

R

E

A

K

28V

I

R

I

L

E

U

L

I

S

T

S

N

29T

R

E

A

T

I

S

E

30P

E

R

M

I

T

 There you go, the crossword done and dusted.

Let’s look at another. Here are the clues:

Let’s first look at the anagrams.

Yellow highlighting for the letters, Green for the hint, Blue for the clue.

Across: 18,27,28

Down: 1,3,7,8,14,

Across: 18. Sort of roll, A-E, etc? (9) ELECTORAL (roll)

27. Cast in a very bad shape (7) SATANIC

28. Organise a gay reel with zest (7) EAGERLY

Down 1. Sweet courses prepared (7) SUCROSE

3. Spider natural at spinning (9) TARANTULA

7. Add to the confusion of the general (7) ENLARGE

8. Rude tot has to be made to be taught. (7) TUTORED

14. Act I lines sadly lacking in flexibility (9) INELASTIC

 

1  S

2

3T

4

5

6

7E

8  T

U

A

N

U

9 C

R

10

L

T

R

A

A

O

11 O

N

12

R

R

S

T

G

E

13 E

U

14 I

15 G

R

E

E

D

L

N

16

17

A

18 E

L

E

C

T

O

19 R

A

20 L

L

21

22

A

23

24

S

25

T

26

I

27 S

A

T

A

N

I

C

28E

A

G

E

R

L

Y

 A quick look shows that there was little to gain.

Now for some others:

Across: 15,16,24,26

15. Consented to give up a vice (5) Consented=Agreed. Remove A: leaves GREED  the vice!

16. Where men fought in an era that was backward. Where men fought? Ring-no; field? No; theatre? No; arena? Possibly. So read backwards, get ARENA

24. There’s pure chaos starting a tunnel to break out (5) ERUPT

26. Daughter of Minos gives a song with close backing(7) Daughter of Minos was Ariadne.

Song-ARIA. Close=end, backing, i.e. reverse END to DNE. ARIADNE.

Down: 16,17,20

16. Charming things to wear(7) Plural. Amulet is a charm. AMULETS

17. Make the most of an adventure(7) EXPLOIT

20. Gamble a great deal on a patched up tyre. A great deal=LOT; tyre=TERY; LOTTERY. Plenty of hints with blanks filled.

 

1S

2

3T

4

5

6

7E

8T

U

A

N

U

9C

R

10

L

T

R

A

A

O

11O

N

12

R

R

S

T

G

E

13E

U

14I

15G

R

E

E

D

L

N

16A

R

17E

N

A

18E

L

E

C

T

O

19R

A

20L

M

X

L

O

21U

P

22

A

23

24E

R

U

P

T

L

L

S

T

25E

O

T

26A

R

I

A

D

N

E

T

I

I

R

27S

A

T

A

N

I

C

28E

A

G

E

R

L

Y

 

 So much easier now, with letters in place. Take 1 Across.

Wreck that's broken up, with little hesitation (7). Little hesitation is 'ER'. That's broken up=SHATT. So, SHATTER.

9 Across: Made provisional arrangements(7). Past tense, so ending is D. C_ _ _ _

R_D. Arranged provisions(food, etc.) 

11. Giant group of stars (5) O_ _ _ N = ORION. The book says:"Orion is one of the most conspicuous constellations and contains many bright stars."

23. Advantage of having a superior worker (5,4). Superior =higher/better/upper/ Only UPPER fits 5 letter word. Worker=ANT/HAND/ Logically, UPPER HAND. The U,P & A fit in.

Down: 

2. A great step forward in equestrian posture, A_T_I_ _  Step forward=STRIDE. ASTRIDE.

4. Added recommendation for a jockey (5) Remember theorems in Geometry? They usually had a rider. Meets requirement for a Jockey.

15. Swelling body of people(9) G_T_R_I_G =GATHERING

19. Nearer the circle or up beneath (7) R_U_D_R = ROUNDER

23. D_A_E, Bowler. DRAKE

Across:

12. Official record holder (9) Begins with R. ends with R. Hence human person, a records keeper, or REGISTRAR.

13. Performance of capital detachment(9) Here Capital =Head. Hence EXECUTION, which also means performance. And detachment of the head. 

25. I am uppermost in his thoughts(7) E_O_ _ _T  =EGOTIST

22 DOWN becomes REIGN.

Almost there!

6 Down should be SNAPS: It means both breaks up and photos.  

That gives us 5 Across: French currency included cents. DESCENT

Which leads to 5 Down, DILIGENCE

which takes us to 10 Across: LEAFLET

1S

H

2 A

T

3T

E

4 R

5 D

E

6 S

C

7 E

N

8T

U

S

A

I

I

N

N

U

9C

A

T

E

R

E

D

10 L

E

A

F

L

E

T

R

R

A

E

I

P

A

O

11O

R

I

O

N

12R

E

G

I

S

T

R

A

R

S

D

T

E

G

E

13E

X

E

C

U

T

14I

O

N

15G

R

E

E

D

L

N

C

A

16A

R

17E

N

A

18E

L

E

C

T

O

19R

A

20L

M

X

L

H

O

O

21U

P

P

E

22R

H

A

N

23D

24E

R

U

P

T

L

L

E

S

R

R

N

T

25E

G

O

T

I

S

T

26A

R

I

A

D

N

E

T

I

G

I

K

N

E

R

27S

A

T

A

N

I

C

28E

A

G

E

R

L

Y

QED.

DO THE DEFENCE FORCES RUN INDIAN DEMOCRACY?

 SOLDIERS TO THE RESCUE

Response of Mr Sugandha Thakran to an article in the Print Media.

Mr Hansraj Bhat remarked recently in the Economic Times of Mumbai that India is probably the first nation to be democratically run by an army. This was no satirical or spoof piece. “This army has taken over the nation without a coup” he says, “They ensure that elections are held without fear. They are fighting on the borders, fighting insurgency (police work) within the borders, handling floods, earthquakes, tsunamis (all civil work), finishing stadiums and even winning medals. They run some of the best schools, and medical and engineering colleges.” He adds, “Indian troops are always in demand for UN operations. Their cantonments are like Singapore and Shanghai. Last but not least, their ‘betis’ dominate Bollywood and beauty contests.” This gush of adulation is not an isolated instance. In the recent past, the Indian citizen has awoken anew to the realisation of the worth of its Armed Forces. The triggering factor this time was the ‘dance of death’ of the river Mandakini at Kedarnath.

With graphic images flashing horror from every media, it is out there to see how much soldiers on foot and the angels of mercy from the skies are doing to alleviate the suffering of the distressed people of Kedarnath. Strong men in olive green fashion bridges and pulleys and stretchers from available resources and carry victims to safer ground, where other teams in the same uniform perform first aid and more, under makeshift tents. Constant sorties by the men in blue bring in vital supplies and carry out evacuation of the critically injured and deceased. Several pictures brought out of the calamity-struck region show army men carrying out two or even three survivors on their shoulders and in their arms. The common feature in each of these pictures is the expression of utter gratitude in the faces of those being rescued. It is an infectious gratitude which transmits through the media to every man in every part of the country…….for each of them shudders to think of a time when he might need the help of these heroes. But then the boss calls or the child’s teacher sends a note and the daily mundane pushes out thoughts of the troubles and bravery of fellow men hundreds of kilometers away.

“I have participated in three rescue operations in my service career” says a young army major, “but the limelight goes off like a fused bulb the moment the crisis is over. I feel like a fool quoting any of those missions to anyone outside the establishment. Civilians think I’m trying to curry favours by telling them what a hero I am. So we just keep our stories to ourselves to swap over drinks some evening.” While the more vulnerable states in the north of the country seem more sensitive to the value of the defense services, there does seem to be a more cool reaction in the south. “I was on temporary duty in Bangalore” says an officer posted in the city, “and I got lost in their infernal one ways. When I was stopped by a policeman and told him that I’m from the army and on TD, he fined me anyway saying I should be an example to the civilians. That would never have happened in any city in the north. Not that I’m asking for any rules to be broken for me, but it’s just the attitude which conveys so much.”

This mood swing of the common man does not seem to dampen the zeal of these men and women in uniform, though. A lady doctor in the army revealed, “It’s not practical to expect undying gratitude from everyone we serve. The career I have chosen is a demanding one on many levels. I’m a doctor, which in itself is a calling of a lifetime. To top it, I’m in the military, which has its own demands and pressures. If I torture myself over why everyone doesn’t extend constant affirmation to me, I’ll go over the edge. I do my little bit in my own little way and carry on. I’m just a speck in a giant structure which does more good than anyone realises.” Her sentiments are echoed by a senior officer in the Air Force. He says “We have carried out countless rescue and relief operations in the years since India’s independence. Unlike the Army, the Air Force does not have much direct contact with civilians during operations. Yet we are aware that it is for the man in the streets that we exist. We are here to keep them safe, in peace time as well as in war. That they don’t give two hoots doesn’t change our job or our passion for it. That’s what makes being in the military so noble….almost religious.”

So does the common man really care about the men in uniform in times of peace? Or is he more influenced by the many allegations and taints that have marred the image of the defense services recently? Does he think (heroic rescues aside) that he is entitled to the ‘truth’? In response to that quest, the words of Col. Nathan R. Jessup from the movie ‘A Few Good Men’ seem apt… “We live in a world that has walls and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who’s gonna do it? You?!.....I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom…..You curse the Army. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That a man in my command’s death, while tragic, probably saved lives, and my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives……You don’t want the truth because deep down in places you don’t talk about in parties, you want me on that wall. You NEED me on that wall. We use words like honour, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punch-line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said ‘Thank you’ and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don’t give a damn what you think you are entitled to.”