Enigmatic Variations

Enigmatic Variations No.1762 – Onlookers by Ifor

by

“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).”

Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1758 – 1, 2,3… Go! by Charybdis

by

“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.”

Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No.1754 – Block Letters by Nudd

by

“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.”

Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1750 – Protegees by Vismut

by

“Eight across clues have an extra word to be removed before solving; its position in the clue indexes which of its letters to select. When read in clue order these letters might be a description of someone and when unjumbled what they were interested in. A nickname occupies the top row of the grid and the names of the PROTEGEES it refers to run around the rest of the perimeter. The unclued entries should be completed with their study groups, one of which is hanging upside down. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”

Read more >>