[TrishH]

I solved the General - 15/1/2025 crossword in 01:06

 

[NoNoNoNoNoNo]

thought the spelling was Vizsla not Viszla - has someone got dyslexia

 

[AngelAriel]

That is NOT how to spell VIZSLA

 

[Frog1958]

I solved the General - 15/1/2025 crossword in 01:32

 

[Viellarde]

I solved the General - 15/1/2025 crossword in 00:02
NOT TRUE. It took 1:23

 

[Luckyus]

Is the spelling right on 1 down, as I thought it was a Vizsla?

 

[Ivory]

I solved the General - 15/1/2025 crossword in 01:07

I always get excited to see my ranking, even when I’ve taken too long or used too many clues, then I like to compare what I’ve achieved time wise against others SDCers. I love this forum and get so much from the people I’m “meeting” along the way. Wish I’d found you all earlier

 

[Viellarde]

I solved the General - 15/1/2025 crossword in 01:07

I always get excited to see my ranking, even when I’ve taken too long or used too many clues, then I like to compare what I’ve achieved time wise against others SDCers. I love this forum and get so much from the people I’m “meeting” along the way. Wish I’d found you all earlier

I like the 3x3, the crosswords and word association best. I don't have enough time to go through the whole newsletter at once. Sometimes, like right now, I finish it late in the evening. I read every score but never take notice of rankings. Maybe I should since it seems to bring joy and excitement.

 

[Frog1958]

16/01/25 Running 4th. Can't find clipboard on oppo phone!!

 

[RieTreesSilver]

Thanks Guys, I do prefer the standard crosswords. Have always struggled with the cryptic.

 

[Gil]

I solved the General - 16/1/2025 crossword in 01:03

 

[Jo Piper3]

1:18 today

 

[TrishH]

I solved the General - 16/1/2025 crossword in 01:05

 

[casperdcat]

I solved the General - 16/1/2025 crossword in 00:40

 

[Viellarde]

Thanks Guys, I do prefer the standard crosswords. Have always struggled with the cryptic.

People kept telling me: you can't teach cryptic. WRONG. Any wordsmith or successful crossword solver can. I taught myself 35yrs ago and now often find cryptic easier to solve. Here's how I did it. I grabbed several New Idea magazines (in sequence). I worked on the 1st haphazardly, then checked my results against the results in the following week edition. Putting both side by side, I tried to figure out how the answers were achieved. After 5 magazines, I had worked out that the solution is often in plain sight! eg: in the actual wording of the given clue, the end of one word + the beginning of the next, spells the answer. For building material or strong adhesive you may get 'cement' from 'police mentioned'. You just need to understand where the question lies in the clue. In this case, nothing to do wth WHAT was mentioned but what was needed.
Or the answer is a well-known saying or song.
Recurring clues in this magazine included:
2 little ducks = oo. Ref cricket score
Bookends = LL
If something is broken/needs repair etc, rearrange the letters of that word.
Of course different puzzlemakers have different styles, so I graduated to the daily papers, etc etc. I started with magazines because they seemed to be easier. You don't have to buy. Librairies have supplies.
I'd love to hear if you try and how it goes.

 

[Viellarde]

I solved the General - 16/1/2025 crossword in 00:45

 

[Maria Ceceovski]

I solved the General - 16/1/2025 crossword in 01:18

 

[Frog1958]

I solved the General - 17/1/2025 crossword in 00:24

 

[Ivory]

I solved the General - 17/1/2025 crossword in 00:59

 

[LucieB]

I solved the General - 17/1/2025 crossword in 00:32