“In 31 clues an extra letter must be removed before solving; in clue order, they apply to one of a pair, as does a phrase in the grid. Solvers must change the phrase to describe the second member of the pair (retaining/creating real-word crossing entries, one confirmed in Collins) and highlight six other words and phrases (47 cells), which also describe the person. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended, 35d is in Collins; one answer is an abbreviation; solvers should consult the original version of the work of CONTRASTS.”
Enigmatic Variations
Enigmatic Variations No. 1509 Flow Chart by Ifor
A flow chart from Ifor this week – no bars in the grid initially anyway but seven cells bars need to be added at the end. Misprints in wordplay and definitions give two … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1508: Out and About by Kruger
Hi everyone. As 2021 rolls towards its end it is becoming more usual to get OUT AND ABOUT. I hope you all manage to keep well. Not much to say this week. All … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1507: Deathblow by Curmudgeon
A challenge of a puzzle from Curmudgeon, to keep solvers busy for the subsequent week-or-so…
Enigmatic Variations No.1506 – Potato Scraps by The Ace of Hearts
“One letter must be removed from each clue before solving; in clue order, these letters spell out four headwords/subheads (2 x two words, 2 x one word) in Chambers which have similar meanings. A trickster (six letters, to be highlighted) has implemented the definition of one of these words (which might be cryptically described as POTATO SCRAPS) on the completed grid; solvers must restore the grid to its original state by changing four letters in one entry. All entries in the original and final grid are real words; Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended. ”
Enigmatic Variations No. 1505 Two straight lines by Piccadilly
Two straight lines – straight clues but four identical quadrants for the 4 sets of clues to go into. Two words to be highlighted in the end – in two straight lines Relatively … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1504: Pick Up by Vismut
Hello all. This was a Vismutastic weekend for me as I also picked up Vismut’s Listener puzzle from the weekend before. I won’t say anything about that puzzle now of course, but here … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1503: The Proverbial Way by X-Type
Is X-Type going to lead us up the PROVERBIAL path, or take us any which WAY?…
Enigmatic Variations No.1502 – The Name of the Game by Ranunculus
“The eight unclued entries are thematically linked and each must be entered in an appropriate style. Pairs of clues in numerical sequence provide (one per clue, in either order) a one-word definition and a letter mixture (beginning or ending at a word boundary) of a word that will fit in an unclued slot, giving two alternatives for each of seven slots. The theme dictates both the correct choice for each specific grid location and the style in which it must be entered. Were the non-thematic options used instead, their eight unchecked letters (read in conventional grid order) would spell out THE NAME OF THE GAME, which must be entered under the grid; this provides a further hint to the final thematic entry. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations No. 1501 Alternative names by Kcit
An interesting preamble this week. Certainly not at all clear on first reading it – will it become clearer when the clues are solved? Clues are normal bar 1ac (no definition) and some … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1500: The Obvious One by proXimal
Hi everyone. A brief one from me this week as I have nothing much to report. The most important factor, enjoyment, was certainly there as expected though. Thanks proXimal – and happy 1500th … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1499: The South American One by Gaston
The continental theme seems to have ‘drifted’ on beyond ‘Ladies’ Month’, with Gaston taking us to THE SOUTH AMERICAN ONE this week: Will it be a road to Rio? Will it be Chile when we get there? Will we catch a boat to Bolivia?
Enigmatic Variations No.1498 – The Australasian One by Eclogue
The preamble
“A letter must fall out wherever it occurs from a thematic (or related) answer in each of the central nine columns, dropping into the bottom row to form THE AUSTRALASIAN ONE which, along with two thematic answers, is not in Chambers Dictionary (2016), which is otherwise recommended. Enumerations refer to grid entries.”
Enigmatic Variations No. 1497 The Asian One by Chalicea
Some unclued entries, and some shading to complete the puzzle. Normal clues so should be straight forward. Some trickyish clues (to be honest) with obscure defintions but all completely fair. 30ac had me … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1496: The European One by Vismut
Hi all. Thanks to Vismut for another fun puzzle with a theme I enjoyed finding – and finding out about. The preamble reads: The 24 unnumbered clues contain an extra translated word … Read more >>