![]() Some clues may feature anagrams, but these are usually explicitly described as such. In some crosswords, often called straight or quick, the clues are usually simple definitions for the answers. the initial ʧ' of answer ʧ'TRE could double as the final ɧ' of CONG ɧ' when written ETRE and CONGE). In French-language puzzles, diacritics are omitted for similar reasons (e.g. This ensures a proper name can have its initial capital letter checked with a non-capitalizable letter in the intersecting clue. ( )Īnswers are printed in upper case letters. 10% is typical Georges Perec compiled many 9×¹ grids for Le Point with 4 or even 3. ![]() Compilers strive to minimize use of black squares. They need not be symmetric and two-letter words are allowed, unlike in most English-language puzzles. Some of these puzzles follow the traditional symmetry rule, others have left-right mirror symmetry, and still others have outlines suggesting other shapes.įrench language crosswords are smaller and not necessarily square: usually 8–13 rows and columns, totalling 81–130 squares. A successful solver must deduce not only the answers to individual clues, but how to fit together partially built-up clumps of answers into larger clumps with properly set black squares. The grid offers overall dimensions, but it is unnumbered and the black squares' locations are unspecified. In both cases, no two puzzles are alike in construction, and the intent of the puzzle authors is to entertain with novelty, not to establish new variations of the crossword genre.Īnother crossword type is the diagramless crossword. The Atlantic Monthly regularly features a crossword-like "puzzler" by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon, which combines cryptic clues with diabolically ingenious variations on the construction of the puzzle itself. In 19, composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim published an inventive series of crossword-like puzzles in New York magazine. Free form crosswords have simple designs and are not symmetric. Two of the common ones are barred crosswords which use bold lines between squares (instead of black squares) to separate answers, and circular designs, with answers to be entered either radially or in concentric circles. Substantial variants from the usual forms exist. In addition, many weekday puzzles such as the New York Times crossword are 15×±5 squares, while weekend puzzles may be 21×☡, 23×☣ or 25×☥. ![]() Crossword grids elsewhere, such as in Britain and Australia, have a lattice-like structure, with a higher percentage of black squares, leaving up to half the letters in an answer unchecked.Īnother tradition in puzzle design (in North America particularly) is that the grid should have 180-degree rotational symmetry, so that its pattern appears the same if the paper is turned upside down. ![]() In such puzzles black squares, used to separate answers, are traditionally limited to about one-sixth of the design. Crossword grids such as those appearing in most North American newspapers and magazines feature solid chunks of white squares, every letter is checked (that is, it is part of an answer reading across and another reading down), and usually each answer is required to contain at least three letters.
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