Cryptic crosswords? I’m sorry I haven’t a clue

https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/2016/aug/26/cryptic-crosswords-im-sorry-i-havent-a-clue

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In supporting Jean Jackson’s plea (Letters, 23 August), I think that too-clever-by-half crossword compilers invent new rules to preserve their self-awarded intellectual power. Too many see themselves as Araucaria or Ximenes, assuming every challenge to be for prizes for which there must be a limited list of winners. We cruciverbalists face barely conceived neologisms; foreign practice; topical proper and trade names; web-speak; and irrelevant whole words representing unrelated single-letter abbreviations not recognised in any glossary.

We are expected to discover hidden themes, without being told that a theme exists – such as, last week, the names of the 1966 England World Cup team. That was totally unfair, presenting 11 unsolvable clues. Compilers should copy the Observer’s Azed and publish the logic of the more knotty clues with the solution – as not all compilers share the same devious mindset.Ralph GeeNottingham

• Thank goodness other readers are finding the current crop of cryptic crosswords impossible. I thought it was just me. Perhaps we should form a support group and call ourselves Araucaria’s Anonymous. It used to be fun and the clues had wit, but now it’s a chore with impenetrable clues that go on forever and often with a four-word solution. I offer a possible way of dealing with the problem to my fellow sufferers.

Many years ago I played Ariel in the Tempest at the Old Vic with John Gielgud playing Prospero. Every day in the rehearsal room during tea breaks and idle moments Sir John would sit quietly doing the Times crossword. Sometimes he would complete it and put it aside within 20 minutes or so. Everyone was terribly impressed. The Times crossword was, in those days, the toughest nut in the bowl.

One afternoon after this had been going on for some weeks, one of the cast idly picked up the great man’s paper – he had finished for the day and had gone off to the Garrick Club or somewhere to meet Sir Ralph or someone. Suddenly the actor who had been looking at the paper gasped and showed us the crossword. It was indeed all filled in, but apart from one or two correct answers the rest were just words that happened to fit the spaces and had no bearing on the clues. Needless to say none of us confronted Sir John with the discovery and he continued to complete the Time crossword every day with consummate ease.

I offer this not as a luvvie dropping names and theatrical anecdotes, but as a frustrated Guardian crossword-doer.Michael FeastLondon

• The cryptic crosswords are indeed becoming increasingly difficult and so solvers should not be 2 down on themselves.Adrian BrodkinLondon

• I’m so relieved I’m not the only one struggling with the crosswords. I had blamed the clogging up of the brain cells, because until recently I’ve enjoyed the Guardian’s puzzles for more than 30 years. However, like Margaret Hopkins (Letters, August 24), now I can be confident of completing only those by Rufus and Paul. The other compilers chuck far too much into their clues so that solving them prompts groans of misery not delight. Only Paul has a touch of the wit, elegance and economy of the blessed Araucaria.Susan SeagerLondon

• I now start at the bottom right-hand corner, as the clues seem to be easier there. Perhaps the setter is running out of fiendish clues by then, or just wants to get it over and done with. Whatever, it seems to work.Marjorie ClarkPerth

• I have to say I tend to finish them, albeit after a lot of research and Googling. However, the positioning of the crossword so close to the centrefold of the new puzzle page makes it very difficult to insert the answers in the top line. Very irritating.Pauline WilsonAylesbury, Buckinghamshire

• It’s a relief to know that others are also having trouble finishing the cryptic crosswords. For some time I have been assuring myself that they are getting more difficult, because I didn’t want to face the alternative explanation.David FielkerLondon

• Jean Jackson, please take heart. I not only fail to complete it, I fail to start it.Ellen HawleyCrackington Haven, Cornwall

• Having puzzled unsuccessfully over Picaroon’s crossword (24 August), I’m still at a loss with the solution in front of me. Is it time to take up knitting instead?Pat MouldsKiln Hill, Lincolnshire

• Disappointed to see three women (Letters, 23 and 24 August) letting the side down. I also found the newer setters difficult at first but got used to them. Try harder please – unless you want the men saying we don’t have the right brains for cryptic crosswords.Jean McGowanGlasgow

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