In the following example clues, I will elaborate on the two components of each clue: the definition of the answer and the wordplay aspect – a combination that creates a recipe for assembling the letters. In a genuine puzzle setting, you also have the crossing letters, which should make solving easier – hence the term “crossword”. Additionally, the setters’ names often connect to profiles of the individuals behind the pseudonyms.
In its simplest form, you replace one letter with another, as demonstrated in Brendan’s clue…
9a Ridicule resolution to replace Conservative by monarch (8)
[ wordplay: change abbreviation for ‘Conservative’ to abbreviation for ‘monarch’ in synonym for ‘resolution’ ]
[ change C to R in DECISION ]
[ definition: ridicule ]
…which leads us to the answer DERISION.
Or you may be asked to combine this technique with another device, such as in Anto’s clue…
9a Vacancy after one replaces Head of Equities for expressing views (7)
[ wordplay: change I (‘one’) to first letter (‘head’) of EQUITIES in synonym for ‘vacancy’ ]
[ change I to E in OPENING ]
[ definition: expressing views ]
…resulting in the answer OPINING.
However, there are instances where we don’t just replace a single letter with another. Anto provides another example:
11a Wise also to replace a fall guy (6)
[ wordplay: change A (‘a’) to synonym for ‘also’ in synonym for ‘wise’ ]
[ change A to TOO in SAGE ]
[ definition: fall guy ]
This time, we start with SAGE and end with STOOGE.
It’s important to note that “replace” doesn’t always mean substituting one thing for another. Pasquale’s clue from The Guardian’s fiendish Genius series demonstrates this…
4d Cleaner? Phone for one, taking a risk (8)
[ wordplay: change I (‘one’) to synonym for ‘phone’ in synonym for ‘cleaner’ ]
[ change I to RING in DAILY ]
[ definition: taking a risk ]
…yielding the answer DARINGLY, where DAILY becomes DARINGLY.
In some cases, a clue may refer to the device itself rather than outright employing it. Here’s an example from Imogen:
15d How giant becomes gallant, in the words of the musketeers (3,3,3)
[ wordplay: substitution necessary to change GIANT to GALLANT ]
[ definition: part of the three musketeers’ motto ]
This provides a new perspective on the expression ONE FOR ALL.
For beginners: any questions? Seasoned solvers: do you have any favorite examples to add?
Additional guidance includes various cryptic devices like hidden answers, double definitions, defining by example, cryptic definitions, soundalikes, spoonerisms, stammering, containers, reversals, initial letters, alternate letters, cycling, taking most of a word, percentages of a word, naked words, first and last letters, middle letters, and removing middle letters.
Other helpful tips cover topics like Roman numerals, the NATO alphabet, Greek letters, chemistry, abbreviations for countries, points of the compass, playing cards, capital letters, genders, apostrophes, cricket, alcohol, the church, politics, Latin, royals, newspapers, doctors, drugs, music, animals, clothing, cars, cities, rivers, boats, when the setter’s name appears, when the solver appears, and “cheating.”
Lastly, The Shipping Forecast Puzzle Book by Alan Connor, which contains a mix of cryptic and non-cryptic puzzles, can be found at the Guardian bookshop.
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