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Easy modes for Scrabble, Bananagrams, Chess, Pictionary and cryptics? (5)

Minute Cryptic clue · October 28, 2026 · answer and full explanation
By Ahmed Hassan
Answer verified against the live puzzle

The Minute Cryptic clue “Easy modes for Scrabble, Bananagrams, Chess, Pictionary and cryptics?” (5) was set for Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Below is the answer — blurred until you tap — followed by the definition, the wordplay and why the letters land where they do.

Minute Cryptic · October 28, 2026

Easy modes for Scrabble, Bananagrams, Chess, Pictionary and cryptics?

(5)

The answer isBASIC

No spoilers — the answer stays blurred until you tap.

Letters 5Device AnagramSet by Liam RunnallsPar 2Solvers 16,044

The clue, colour-coded

Easy modes for Scrabble, Bananagrams, Chess, Pictionary and cryptics?
DefinitionWordplay / fodderLinking words

How this clue works

The definition

Easy

Our definition here is 'Easy', and our answer will be another word for that.

The wordplay

Scrabble, Bananagrams, Chess, Pictionary and cryptics

This clue's fodder is 'Scrabble, Bananagrams, Chess, Pictionary and cryptics'. We'll use these letters (or some of them) to construct our answer, as guided by the clue's indicator(s).

The answer

BASIC

The clue reads “Easy modes for Scrabble, Bananagrams, Chess, Pictionary and cryptics?” (5). The definition part — “Easy” — points straight at BASIC, and the rest of the clue builds it with anagram wordplay.

Minute Cryptic publishes a short walkthrough for this clue — watch Liam Runnalls’s own explanation →

This clue’s puzzle day

This clue was the Minute Cryptic for Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Open the October 28, 2026 puzzle page for that day’s write-up, or browse the full Minute Cryptic archive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the answer to “Easy modes for Scrabble, Bananagrams, Chess, Pictionary and cryptics?”?
The answer is BASIC (5 letters). Tap the reveal button above to see it in the answer card.
How do I read a cryptic clue like this?
Every cryptic clue has two halves: a straight definition (at the start or the end) and a piece of wordplay that builds the same word letter by letter. Find the definition first, count the letters from the enumeration, then work out which trick the rest of the clue is playing.
Is there a new Minute Cryptic every day?
Yes — one cryptic clue a day at minutecryptic.com, plus community-set clues. We publish each day’s answer and breakdown here shortly after it goes live.