IGO's Cryptic Crosswords Group: an interview with group leader Marion and the group members.
What do you think is the appeal of cryptic crosswords?
A cryptic crossword is something you can do at any time anywhere. You don't have to do the whole thing at once, you can just pick it up when you have a spare moment and then put it down again until later. Solving a clue is a game of finding out, and each clue is a separate game or puzzle, so solving the whole crossword is solving a lot of small puzzles. There are “rules'' for writing clues for cryptic crosswords, and learning what these are and how they apply to a particular clue is key to solving the clues. Learning how the rules work is a bit like learning a new language. Once you have begun to master it you become part of a community of solvers, which allows you to share insights about how to solve a particular clue with other solvers.
How do solvers benefit from solving clues?
It is extremely satisfying when the penny drops and you solve a clue, particularly if you have been struggling with it. That aha moment makes it all worthwhile! Solving clues puts you in the moment. While you are struggling with a clue you concentrate totally on the clue and everything else is cleared from your mind. Your only concern becomes solving the clue. Solving clues is a battle of wits with the setter. As a solver you develop a “personal “ relationship with the setter, solving the puzzle requires insight into the setter's mind. What attributes do solvers need? Patience, humour, broad general knowledge, a love of language, and an ability to think laterally.
How did the group start?
Towards the end of last year Henry Howarth, u3a adviser for cryptic crosswords, ran an online course “Cryptic Crosswords for Beginners” which explained the basics of solving cryptic crosswords. At the end of the course one of the participants suggested that we set up an online group for beginners to solve cryptic crosswords together, because, as with so many things, when solving clues, two heads are better than one. The u3a office facilitated the technical aspects of forming the group, and we began meeting.
A couple of Extra points to note from Marion the Group Leader
Our group is aimed at those who consider themselves beginners when it comes to solving cryptic crosswords and we still have a few spaces in the group, if anyone else is interested in joining.
If anyone is interested in setting up another online crossword group, either for beginners or for more advanced solvers, I am happy to speak to them to explain how we run our group if this would be helpful to them.
This is a photo of the editor Helen’s scruffy attempt to make links between all the members of the group!