The following graphics show a Wordsquare puzzle in the Crossword Express Build screen
and a PNG graphic file produced by the program's print function, showing the complete puzzle solution.
See also a full size version of a PDF file.
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As you can see, a WORDSQUARE puzzle is a just a Crossword puzzle which has a couple of unique features. It is built
on a square grid which can range in size from 4x4 up to 10x10. It has none of the familiar pattern squares of a
traditional crossword. Consequently its contents is a list of words equal in number and equal in length to the size
of the grid. Also, the list of ACROSS words is exactly the same as the list of DOWN words. The puzzle shown here was
constructed using the standard English dictionary supplied with the program, and is one of a dozen or so which can
be built using this dictionary. Naturally, these puzzles become progressively harder to construct as the puzzle size
is increased and the quest for a perfect 10x10 puzzle has not been completed to the complete satisfaction of all
Wordsquare purists. Much more information on this subject is available on
Wikipedia.
If you feel an irresistible urge to begin a search for a 10x10 Wordsquare, you might try the following:-
Here is a comprehensive list of 10 letter
words. It contains 35,529 words, but even this won't be enough to complete the task. You could try some
of the following ideas.
Add some common 10 letter English phrases to the dictionary. For example "touch and go", "ins and outs", "now
and then". How many others can you think of.
Add the names of movies that contain 10 letters. For example "Raging Bull", "The Big Heat", "Blue Velvet",
"Good Fellas" etc.
Add the names of popular music hits containing 10 letters. For example "Secret Love", "Hava Nagila", "Sabre
Dance". There must be many others.
If you are really desperate for words, you could collect 10 letter words from languages other than English,
and use the English translation as the clue (followed in brackets by the name of the other language). This would
have the potential of providing you with a vast list of additional words.
Any other categories you can think of, but make sure they are all well known>
FEATURES
The key features of the Crossword Express Wordsquare Construction function are as follows:-
Fully automatic construction of puzzles in sizes ranging from 4x4 up to 10x10.
Puzzles can be printed in an unprecedented range of user controlled colors and formats.
Output can be sent direct to the printer or, if you install the appropriate software, it can be sent to a PDF file. The
recommended software for this purpose is Primo PDF which
you can download free from their website, although you might consider sending them a small donation if
you find their program useful. Mac users will be able to create a PDF file directly from the screen provided by
the printer driver.
A fully interactive Solve function is available to allow you to solve the puzzles "on screen" without needing to
print them.
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