Could this be a Deep Blue moment for the cryptic crossword?
A computer program has finally oudone humans at solving cryptic crosswords. Plus, more from around the puzzleverse • Don’t get Cluesletter, our weekly puzzles newsletter, delivered to your inbox? Sign up here When the IBM supercomputer Deep Blue beat Garry Kasparov at chess in 1997, it was an early victory for artificial intelligence over the human mind, and the culmination of decades of attempts. Almost 30 years later, a computer program has finally outdone humans at solving cryptic crosswords.
Earlier this month, a model called Darmok solved the final puzzle of the Times’s annual cryptic crossword competition about three minutes faster than Liam Hughes, 29, who became the contest’s youngest (human) winner. Wolf trap missing its lowest crosspiece? (5)” Proportion of inspiration and perspiration?
It’s roughly 45% and 42% (5) Kick-off leads to decisive early goal for PSG (5) To read the complete version of this newsletter including the exclusive Letter Adder game, subscribe to receive Cluesletter in your inbox every Tuesday.
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Sources and context
The GuardianSource headline and summary supplied via NewsData.io. First collected by NewsJaws on 2026-10-21. This is an automated news brief, not original NewsJaws reporting. Dates reflect the source publication. Feed delays may apply.