There have been many GREAT LEADERS in history…and some not-so-great ones at present… Who could Vismut be referring to in this puzzle?
Enigmatic Variations
Enigmatic Variations No.1766 – On Board by Luxor
“The wordplay in every clue generates an extra letter, not to be entered into the grid. In clue order these letters provide a name (initial and surname) and an instruction which solvers must take ON BOARD. Chambers (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations 1765 The Seventh Note by Chalicea
So three clues lack a definition but are local names for two unclued entries. Alternate clues have an extra letter in the wordplay which give an instruction. As preambles go pretty straight forward.
Enigmatic Variations No. 1764: Superficially by Kruger
Hi all, with apologies for the late appearance of this blog.
The preamble:
26 (2 words), near 44 14 8, the brainchild of 3 1 Across, was SUPERFICIALLY intended to be a showcase for 20, 27, 25 and 22. Every clue except the first and last contains an extra word of at least four letters that must be removed before solving. In clue order, the first, third or fifth letters of these extra words (approx. equal numbers of each) identify the legend to be written under the grid. Chambers (2016) is recommended. 39 is in ODE. One answer is an abbreviation.
Enigmatic Variations No. 1763: Magic Square by Kcit
A ‘MAGIC SQUARE’ from Kcit this week – maybe blurring the boundaries between word puzzles and number puzzles, and a bit of a jigsaw puzzle as well!
Enigmatic Variations No.1762 – Onlookers by Ifor
“Each clue is actually two clues run together. Either entry may be clued first; punctuation may mislead. Some answers are too short for their slots, and several others require two letters to occupy one cell; all enumerations count cells available. Cells in the latter group must each be divided by a diagonal line in a consistent way, entering one letter in each half such that entries read normally. Using the contents of these cells as a guide, solvers must insert an arrow in each vacant cell so that new words or phrases appropriate to the positions of the ONLOOKERS in the grid are symbolised. The Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended, but does not give the entry at 11 (in Collins and others).”
Enigmatic Variations 1761 Heroes by Vagans
A perimeter to fill in clued by surplus characters from each clue. Then highlight the final character in the completed grid. Sounds pretty straight forward, but probably isn’t
Enigmatic Variations No. 1760: Poster by Robyn
Hello everyone. The obvious comment to make here is that this is a 23 puzzle …
Enigmatic Variations No. 1759: Chorus Line by Gaston
Gaston has a CHORUS LINE for us this week – but will be all be singing from the same hymn-sheet?…
Enigmatic Variations No. 1758 – 1, 2,3… Go! by Charybdis
“Some people (2 words) haven’t a clue and should take the advice of the also-clueless 24 (“1, 2, 3… GO!”), leaving real words in the final grid. 24 attributed this advice (regarding the appropriately numbered receptacles in the grid) to 7 Down’s Greek tutee. Wordplay in most clues leads to a redundant letter revealing unwanted consequences (selected from a variety of translations). Earliest consequences (3 words, 15 cells) must be highlighted. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations 1757 Relocation Relocation by Kolya
26 clues require a letter to be moved to enable them to be solved. These then spell out a message. Eight cells need relocating in a symmetrical pattern. Then some line drawing and … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1755: Advertising Ploy by The Moonlighters
‘The Moonlighters‘ sounds like a potential composite setter…some familiar faces ‘moonlighting’ as a merry ensemble? Time, and the comments section, may tell… Either way, this is a debut puzzle, as far as I can tell…and what are ‘they’ ADVERTISING to us?…
Enigmatic Variations No.1754 – Block Letters by Nudd
“Each clue gives an answer of nine letters to be entered clockwise or anticlockwise around the numbered square, starting anywhere and with one letter of the word placed in the central square. The 24 unchecked perimeter/corner letters might give PAN A LATE SOLUTION OF BLOCKS. Several of these can be deduced from entries and the remaining few ambiguities can be resolved by consideration of the familiar pattern of BLOCK LETTERS revealed in the numbered squares.
Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations 1753 Tomfoolery by Curmudgeon
A quotation clockwise around the grid to deduce and its author. Then five letters to change leving real words. Extra letters from 11 consecutive clues give the last instruction. Not complicated for once.