Crosswords

A Crosswords puzzle is a word game consisting of a grid of black and blank squares with vertical and horizontally criss-crossing words that are filled in according to provided clues.
The person who creates or construct the puzzle is called a compiler or setter while the person playing it is called a solver.

Types of crosswords Puzzle

Quick
The standard "quick" clue puzzle are simple and have one-word answers. It allows the use of acronym and abbreviation as clues, and may also use indirect clues.

Cryptic Crossword
The level of difficulty in a cryptic crossword is higher because even the clues provided are puzzles in themselves. In extrim cases, the answer may be in a different language.

Cipher crossword puzzles
In this case, the clues themselves are being encrypted. You will have to use the values attached to each clue to break the cipher code so as to read the clues and solve the puzzle. The UK variation called a diagramless puzzle takes it's difficulty level to a whole new height.

Making a Crosswords puzzle

The grid
To create a standard crossword Puzzle, you will need a grid holding 15 squares x 15 squares.

Though Some do use the 21 by 21 standard. For this post, we will be using the 15 x 15 standard to create our Crosswords puzzle.

Theme
The puzzle should have a central idea it topic Which will reflect in your clues or in the answers. It should not be any random word that crosses other words.

Symmetry
Words are not haphazardly dumped on the grid but are arranged such that it creates a kind of symmetry such that if you should turn a crossword puzzle upside down, the position of the black squares will still remain the same.
To accomplish this I make sure words of the same length are placed at transverse positions so they compliment each other. this will result in a grid like this.
personally I really feel creating the word symmetry is the toughest parts of the work which works hand in hand with the making of a unique grid for the custom symmetry.

Interlock
An interlock is that situation where you can follow the white squares around the grid from one end to the other without the black squares completely isolating any section of the puzzle.
To achieve this, simply make sure your Symmetry is observed and each word is crossed a minimum of two times. Making sure a word is crossed so many times reduces the risk of a wrong word accidentally fitting into the puzzle.

Word Count
Depending on the desired level of difficulty, the fewer the black squares the better, which also translates to more problems to solve.

Compilation
After outlining the words based on your selected Theme and observing symmetry and confirming proper interlock, it's time to create a clue for each word depending on the level of difficulty you are aiming at.

Conclusion
While a Crosswords puzzle is not that easy to solve, it is equally as puzzling to create one that meets standard.

Follow this link if you will love to get the clues and solve this puzzle

This post was created in response to the "I spy with my little eye – Mini contest (15)" organized by @patjewell

Crossword starts with the letter C

• If spelt with an S at the end it meets the 10 letter criteria.
• Crosswords are associated with words, grid, blanks and black squares.
• Cross and words makes it fit the description as a compound word
• We have three major types of Crosswords

#nigeria #steemexclusive #writing
#club100