Abstract: A crossword game is disclosed bearing similarities to prior art in games such as Scrabble and the like. The method of play closely resembles that of Scrabble, but advances word formation through the employment of compound character alternates to single letter values that can be put into play. These mutli-character alternates represent many of the common prefix, root and suffix elements in the American and English languages, as well as compound consonants, such diphthongs. They introduce a swifter word completion gambit to classic game strategy, increasing satisfaction in accomplishment, and higher frequency rates of word completion, while also broadening knowledge of word construction left wanting in prior art.