ChatGPT: can artificial intelligence create crosswords?
AI-generated clues are often bizarre and sometimes flat-out wrong – but, setters agree, that may not be a bad thing. Plus: a podcast returnsThis week, some Things of Interest to Puzzlers That You Might...
View ArticleCrossword roundup: in which we reclaim the word ‘mob’
We consider mobility and nobility in our collection of the best of the broadsheets’ cryptic cluesIn the sample clues below, the links take you to explainers from our beginners series. The setter’s name...
View ArticleMeet Lady Labyrinth, the AI-generated crossword setter
The latest in our series where we turn the tables on the torturers. But this time, there’s a twist …We recently looked at attempts by a chatbot to create crossword clues. Might, I wondered, the...
View ArticleCrossword roundup: delving into the depths of the Great Lakes
Some pleasingly straightforward etymologies in our pick of the best of the broadsheets’ cryptic cluesIn the sample clues below, the links take you to explainers from our beginners series. 11a Northern...
View ArticleCryptic crosswords for beginners: one to a hundred – when clues use the % sign
Continuing our series for those tempted or daunted by cryptics, we explore the appearance of this sign in cluesIn the example clues below, I explain the two parts of each one: there is a definition of...
View ArticleCrossword roundup: deep dives from the penalty area to drinking dens
We consider the many senses of ‘dive’ in our pick of the best of the broadsheets’ cryptic cluesIn the sample clues below, the links take you to explainers from our beginners series. The setter’s name...
View ArticleCryptic crosswords for beginners: writers
Continuing our series for those tempted or daunted by cryptics, five ‘writers’ to keep in mindIn the example clues below, I explain the two parts of each one: there is a definition of the answer and...
View ArticleCrossword roundup: why do they call them ‘limousines’?
Long cars, their drivers and mathematical playtime in our pick of the best of the broadsheets’ cryptic cluesIn the sample clues below, the links take you to explainers from our beginners series. The...
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