How to solve a puzzle
To solve a Crisscross Word puzzle, proceed as follows:
- Open an existing puzzle using the Open command in the File menu.
- Start the puzzle by clicking the Start button. The list of definitions will appear and the puzzle is displayed.
- Choose a word to find by clicking on its squares in the puzzle or click on a definition in the definition list.
- Type in the word corresponding to the definition in the answer field. You must respect capital letters, hyphens and punctuation, as needed.
- Check your answer with the Check button. If your answer is correct, the converted word will appear in the puzzle and a tick will appear in front of the definition.
- If the answer is wrong, an alert appears but the word stays selected to allow you to try again.
- Continue in a similar fashion for each word in the puzzle.
You can stop the puzzle with the Stop button (if shown). If you go beyond the alloted time, the software stops the puzzle automatically and displays all the words and your score.
Maximum number of attempts for each word
You are allowed a maximum number of attempts for each word. This number is equal to its level of difficulty plus 2. In the simplest case where there is no clue for a word, the level of difficulty is 1, so you have 3 tries. After 3 wrong answers, an error message appears indicating you have exhausted all the possible attempts. The correct word then appears in the puzzle in red.
Of course, you will not receive any points for this word.
To obtain clues
To obtain a clue for a selected definition, proceed as follows:
- In the Clue column, click in the box to the right of the first clue.
- The clue appears in the same place beside a tick.
- Continue in the same fashion for the next clues, as needed or if available.
N.B. If no clues are available, check the puzzle options.
How to pause
To stop the puzzle chronometer temporarily, proceed as follows:
- Click the Pause button (if available). The chronometer stops and the Pause button becomes a Start button.
- Start the puzzle after the pause by clicking on the Start button.
How to start over
To start a Crisscross Words puzzle over, proceed as follows:
- Click on the Start over button. An alert appears for you to confirm your choice.
- The chronometer stops and the puzzle and the list of definitions are erased.
- Start the puzzle over by clicking on the Start button.