“In SUITABLE POWDER, two letters must be removed from the answers in each row and column and placed at either end of that row/column. All answers are affected and the leftmost/uppermost omitted letters are to be placed in the leftmost/uppermost cell of the column/row. Solvers must complete the grid and highlight a symmetrically disposed representation of the perimeter (6,4). Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations
Enigmatic Variations 1385 Winning Formula by proXimal
Across entries have a missing letter each time it occurs (indicated by wordplay) and 5 down clues need to be altered before entry to make new words. Well not quite – only the … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1384: Handover by Samuel
Hello everyone. Another fun puzzle from Samuel, which I found to be one of the gentler EVs that I’ve done, but with plenty of entertainment value. The preamble reads: In HANDOVER, all … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1383: One Down by Ifor
Some tricky (and educational) stuff from Ifor this week, which kept me going right to the submission deadline… The preamble states that: “16 clues contain a thematic item as an extra word. The … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1382 – Reconstructions by Hedge-sparrow
“In RECONSTRUCTIONS, the answers to seven clues must be reconstructed, in each case omitting one letter, to form thematic entries. When the grid has been filled, an eighth thematic reconstruction, formed from the omitted letters, must be entered so as to consume another entry (leaving crossing entries as real words). Solvers must highlight a hidden term (6) which completes all the thematic entries. Numbers in brackets refer to entry lengths.”
Enigmatic Variations 1381 To Avoid Offence by Kruger
A Sunday in May and a tussle with Kruger. 12 misprints to find to reveal the start of a quote. Then some clashes to resolve to find the originator. Then some other entries … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1380: Vacation by Harribobs
Hi everyone. I’d never solved a Harribobs puzzle before, but had heard the name and was expecting great things. The preamble reads: Across clues, down clues, and answers all have references to … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1379: Scarcity by Cagey
This was a pretty tough workout from Cagey, who seems to be a new name (or amalgam?) on the block… The (rather long and complicated) preamble states that: “ In SCARCITY, the wordplay … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1378 – Weightwatchers’ Advice by The Ace of Hearts
“In WEIGHTWATCHERS’ ADVICE, two clues are normal, but their answers must be entered thematically. From the answer to every other clue a letter must be deleted wherever it appears before entry into the grid; definitions refer to the full unmutilated answer, and wordplay to the grid entry. In clue order, the omitted letters give a phrase followed by its definition. This definition should help solvers with the entry method of the two normal clues. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations 1377 by MynoT
Straight clues for a change and the end game is to find a number of thematic items, with the second part to find the part of an entry that is common to them … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1376: Rock Solid by Jaques
Hi everybody. I hope you are having a rocking Saturday! The preamble reads: Clues are given in alphabetic order of their answers. Most clues, whose answers must be entered where they will fit, … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1375: Ciao by Eclogue
Not so much ‘CIAO’ as nearly ‘Goodnight from me…’, Two Ronnies-style… …,after my recent DNF with EV1374 from Ranunculus, and several failures-to-finish recent IQs and Listeners…maybe my superpowers are on the wane… The … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1374 – Mea Culpa by Ranunculus
“MEA CULPA: the results of my sins are suggested by modifications which must be made to three answers on entry into the grid; the lengths given are those of grid entries. Three other clues lack a shared definition; their solutions suggest my victims. My first name can be seen above; you must locate and highlight my nine-letter second name in the grid. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations 1373 Doublespeak by Samuel
Samuel pits the challenge this week. Six special entries and the rest have an additional answer in the wordplay. These spell three titles and the name of the leader behind all three must … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1372: Soundclash by Tigga
Hello! The wonderful thing about Tigga, is … well, answers in the comments! The preamble reads: In SOUNDCLASH, across and down answers clash in 12 cells; solvers must select the letters that … Read more >>