A crossword is a grid of white and black squares. Each white run has a numbered clue, and its answer is written Across or Down in the grid. Answers cross one another, so a correctly solved clue supplies letters that help solve several others.
How to play crosswords
Start with clues whose answers come to mind quickly, then use their crossing letters to constrain the harder answers. A lightly pencilled guess can be useful, but be ready to replace it if several crossing clues disagree.
Each numbered square starts an Across answer, a Down answer, or both. The clue supplies the definition and the grid supplies the answer length. In cryptic crosswords, the clue normally also contains wordplay; in quick crosswords, it is usually a more direct definition. Build from certain answers, revisit ambiguous clues after gaining crossing letters, and check that every letter works in both directions.
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