Solve Crack the Codeword with the Clue Detective!

Many people would agree there is always something mysterious about a coded message. In a scene from the movie The Imitation Game (starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley), the young (computer scientist genius) Alan Turing and his friend Christopher are discussing cryptograms. Christopher says they look challenging to solve, but it is possible if you have a key.

It can be no surprise then that at Clue Detective Puzzle Agency our favourite puzzle game is crack the Codeword!

Each codeword puzzle has a unique (random) code. Each number represents a letter; R might be 9, and X might be 18.

Usually, the number of starter letters (the key) is one or three. Occasionally, there is more, and if we feel particularly devious, we provide you with no letters as a real challenge. We have had requests for this from time to time.

When you see a “crack the codeword” puzzle for the first time, there is always an air of intrigue and impossibility about it. Where do you start with a grid full of numbers representing letters of the alphabet?

You will analyse and convert the numerical patterns into letters using the starter letter/s provided. Your main challenge is to use your knowledge of the structure of the English language to crack the code. You are a codebreaker and a morphologist who studies the structure of words and their parts.

Five (of the many) benefits of playing ‘Crack the Codeword’!

1. Solve a codeword to enhance your literacy skills.

One of the fundamental differences between codewords and crosswords is you don’t have to worry about what words mean. That comes when you have them all decoded. Ensure you have your trusty dictionary on standby to check for unfamiliar words. You will still be adding them to your growing vocabulary. No matter our age, actively learning through words is still possible, consequently building our general knowledge. It’s very satisfying!

Challenge Yourself to “Crack the Codeword”

2. Solving codeword puzzles helps you practise mindfulness.

Playing Clue Detective codewords provides an excellent opportunity to take time out of your busy day and be in the moment, particularly if you are (feeling) under pressure. Stress and anxiety can be replaced with relaxation, calm and feel-good energy by focusing on (and hopefully being successful in) solving a codeword.

3. Play Crack the Codeword on the go.

Codewords are like Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham. You can solve them here and there, and you can solve them anywhere! They are perfect for tackling during the daily commute to and from work or over a quiet coffee break. They are entirely portable; all you need is your smartphone or iPad and your stylus pen, and you are ready to go.

4. Have a Crack the Codeword party at home or work!

At Clue Detective, we strongly believe in the role of play in the workplace or a community setting such as your public library. You are right if you think solving codewords might be fun in a group. Get together with friends or colleagues and enjoy a word power mental gymnastics session for fun or as a (company) teambuilding exercise. Sit down with your children/grandchildren and play Crack the Codeword as a fun vocabulary-building session. They are perfect to solve at any age.

5. Solving “Crack the Codeword” helps build a strong vocabulary.

At the Clue Detective Puzzle Agency, we welcome word suggestions from teachers and parents, particularly spelling list words students are currently learning. Seeing words when solving the puzzle will actively reinforce them in their memories.