Crosswords Rules, Clues, and Solving Strategy
Crosswords is a word puzzle played on a 13×13 grid. Solve the numbered clues to fill the white squares with words and phrases. Answers run Across or Down, and intersecting answers share a letter. The puzzle is complete when every white square contains the correct letter.
The crossword grid
Each white square holds one letter. Black squares separate answers and remain empty. An Across answer reads from left to right; a Down answer reads from top to bottom. Each answer continues until a black square or the edge of the grid.
A number marks the first square of an answer. Match that number to a clue in the Across or Down group. Numbers follow the starting squares from left to right, then from top to bottom. If an Across answer and a Down answer begin in the same square, they share its number but have different clues.
How to play Crosswords
- Read a clue and find its numbered starting square in the grid.
- Count the squares in that answer. The answer must have exactly that many letters.
- Find a word or phrase that matches the clue and fits the available squares.
- Use the shared letters to solve intersecting answers, continuing until the whole grid is correct.
Answers contain letters only. Omit spaces, apostrophes, hyphens, and periods. For example, “ice cream” becomes ICECREAM and fills eight squares. A phrase follows the same rules as a single word: one letter per square, with no gaps between words.
Understanding the clues
A clue may describe an object, ask for a synonym, refer to a person or place, or leave a word missing from a familiar phrase. For example, “Feline” could lead to CAT in a three-square answer, while “___ cream” could lead to ICE.
Look closely at the clue’s wording. A plural clue often calls for a plural answer, and a past-tense clue may call for a past-tense verb. An abbreviation may suggest a shortened answer. A question mark can signal a playful meaning. These are useful clues to the answer, but its length and crossing letters must agree too.
Use crossing letters
A shared square belongs to both answers, so it must work in both directions. If CAT runs Across and its final T begins a Down answer, that Down answer must begin with T. Each confident answer gives you more information about its neighbors.
Start with clues you recognize, wherever they appear in the grid. Then return to uncertain clues with the crossing letters you have found. A familiar ending, a first letter, or a recognizable letter pattern can help narrow the possibilities.
If two answers disagree at a crossing, reconsider them both. A word that fits the available space may still be wrong for the clue. Compare the meaning, spelling, length, and shared letters before deciding which answer to change.
Completing the puzzle
Every answer must match its clue and every crossing must agree. Filling all the squares is not enough if any letters are incorrect. Check uncertain spellings, singular and plural forms, and phrases with omitted spaces. The puzzle is solved when all white squares contain the intended answers.
Sound Effects Credits
The sound effects used on the game come from multiple parties. The credits and
respective licenses are listed below:
Disclaimer
This game is a property of Lofi and Games. All code and assets are protected and must
not be redistributed or used without prior permission.