Backwords

A Backwords (aka Backwards Crossword) resembles a completed crossword, but with extra letters in the grid where the black squares should be. Across and Down clues are given, but their order is jumbled. The solver must deduce the grid pattern and black out the dummy letters to form the completed grid, which they know is symmetrical.

For a trickier challenge, we can use the dummy letters in the grid to produce plausible ‘red herring’ answers, that the solver will need to eliminate as they play the puzzle.