Enigmatic Variations – Page 27

Enigmatic Variations No. 1383: One Down by Ifor

Sat June 1, 2019 at 12:01 am by mc_rapper67

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

Sat May 25, 2019 at 7:31 pmSat May 25, 2019 at 12:01 am by Mister Sting

“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

Sat May 18, 2019 at 12:05 am by twencelas

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

Sat May 11, 2019 at 9:00 pmSat May 11, 2019 at 1:25 pm by Kitty

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

Sat May 4, 2019 at 11:44 amSat May 4, 2019 at 12:01 am by mc_rapper67

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

Sat April 27, 2019 at 12:01 am by Mister Sting

“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

Sat April 20, 2019 at 12:05 am by twencelas

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

Sat April 13, 2019 at 3:13 pmSat April 13, 2019 at 11:52 am by Kitty

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

Sat April 6, 2019 at 9:26 pmSat April 6, 2019 at 12:01 am by mc_rapper67

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

Tue April 2, 2019 at 4:57 pmTue April 2, 2019 at 2:03 pm by Mister Sting

“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

Sat March 23, 2019 at 10:36 amSat March 23, 2019 at 9:57 am by twencelas

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

Sat April 13, 2019 at 6:23 pmSat March 16, 2019 at 12:09 am by Kitty

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 >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1371: Yesterday’s Papers by Ifor

Sat March 9, 2019 at 9:34 amSat March 9, 2019 at 12:01 am by mc_rapper67

It is an old cliché that ‘today’s newspaper is tomorrow’s fish’n’chip wrapper’, although in these days of elf’n’safety you are more likely to get a waxy paper container printed to look like a … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No.1370 – Quotation by Gos

Sat March 2, 2019 at 12:01 am by Mister Sting

“The theme of the puzzle is a well-known final comment, subsequently much quoted (although rarely in full). After completion of the grid the contents of 11 cells must be erased (always leaving real words) and one circled letter replaced, to reveal the encompassing QUOTATION (10 words). The 12 circled letters can then be arranged to form the speaker’s surname, which must be written below the grid. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended, but does not contain 20ac (which can be confirmed in ODE) or 10dn.”

Enigmatic Variations 1369 Things by Shark

Fri February 22, 2019 at 11:09 pm by twencelas

Two clues comprising two definitions each, but otherwise ordinary. Apart from 2 unclued entries – the across one of which has something to do with the double definition clues. No indication as to … Read more >>