A Step-By-Step Guide On How To Solve Cryptic Crosswords

Being a cryptic crossword beginner can be a bit daunting. Many of the clues make no sense and there seems to be so many little tricks to learn. In this video, The Saturday Paper's crossword setter, Liam Runnalls, takes us through a clue-by-clue breakdown of his cryptic crossword published in the November 27 edition of the paper.

Liam Runnalls (or LR as he is known to some) is one of Australia's leading crossword setters. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned solver, you’re sure to learn something new about the cryptic artform in this tutorial.

0:00 Introduction
1:39 6 Across
3:02 9 Across
4:04 10 Across
5:23 11 Across
6:52 12 Across
8:09 13 Across
9:19 16 Across
11:00 18 Across
12:34 19 Across
13:55 21 Across
15:31 24 Across
16:45 25 Across
18:32 26 Across
19:25 1 Down
20:12 2 Down
21:32 3 Down
23:42 4 Down
25:03 5 Down
26:48 6 Down
28:12 7 Down
29:22 8 Down
30:36 14 Down
31:38 15 Down
33:29 16 Down
35:14 17 Down
36:05 19 Down
38:10 20 Down
39:44 22 Down
41:05 23 Down
42:05 Q&A: How do you compile a cryptic?
44:30 Q&A: What comes first, answer or clue?
45:55 Q&A: Do crosswords have themes?
46:33 Q&A: Indications of spoonerisms
46:59 Q&A: Outro

[Argoose-gzzf]

Thank you very much for this! It made a big difference :)

[emerana]

I had the hang of some very easy cryptics that were dominated by anagrams, so it's nice to have a walkthrough of other categories and the compiler's mindset. Time to explore!

[Davcreate]

Thank you so much, from a beginner! I had really struggled with The Saturday Paper’s previous cryptic crossword writer’s puzzle.