Enigmatic Variations – Page 28

Enigmatic Variations No. 1368: Two Questions, One Answer by Gaston

Sat February 16, 2019 at 12:49 am by Kitty

Hello everyone. Don’t panic! This was an EV with a theme so perfect for me that I really shouldn’t have fallen flat on my face … The preamble reads: Two separate chains … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1367: On The Dot by Chalicea

Sat February 9, 2019 at 12:01 am by mc_rapper67

If ON THE DOT was by Harribobs, I would be expecting a fiendishly complicated join-the-dots endgame, in the shape of maybe an echidna, or Estonia…but this is by Chalicea, and she is usually a bit … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No.1366 – The Clash by Auctor

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

“THE CLASH will be on stage thirteen times. One set of letters (according to definitions when read in clue order) gives two names, whilst the other set spells the names of three adversaries; a generic name for the former pair appears in the circles. All grid entries are given by wordplay, and Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”

Enigmatic Variations 1365 New Member by Poat

Sat January 26, 2019 at 9:18 amSat January 26, 2019 at 12:05 am by twencelas

Complex preamble this week: Good news half of the clues and answers are normal. Bad news of the 20 remaining 8 transfer letters to or from the clue – which spell out a … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1364: Untitled by Samuel

Fri February 8, 2019 at 3:21 pmSat January 19, 2019 at 12:00 am by Kitty

Hi all. I always enjoy blocked puzzles by Samuel, but as a very recent dabbler behind the bars, this is the first time I’ve tackled an EV by him. From VACANT last time … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1363: A Sought-after State by Hillbilly

Sat January 12, 2019 at 12:01 am by mc_rapper67

I think this is a debut EV from Hillbilly – given that I can’t find any previous offerings on this site – so welcome, and what kind of ‘state’ are we seeking?… The … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No.1362 – Christmas Eve by Augicea

Sun January 6, 2019 at 7:32 pmSun January 6, 2019 at 9:35 am by Mister Sting

“The unclued entries (6,4 and 5,5,6) were responsible for the thematic event which took place on CHRISTMAS EVE. Across and down clues clash in seven cells. In each across clue there is an extra word which must be removed before solving. The middle letters of these words, read in clue order, give a phrase that cryptically tells solvers which of the clashing letters must be chosen; not all resulting entries are real words. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended; one answer is a variant spelling that can be found in the Oxford Dictionary of English.”

Enigmatic Variations 1361 Everywhere by Oxymoron

Sun December 30, 2018 at 7:43 pmSat December 29, 2018 at 12:56 pm by twencelas

Something to be removed from all across answers – specified by 2 down answers. The down answers are normal. And nothing to highlight! Two unclued entries to find, which define what needs to … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1360: Vacant by Ifor

Sat January 19, 2019 at 1:29 amSat December 22, 2018 at 1:00 am by Kitty

Hello everyone. I’m happy to be here following on from Dave Hennings who has given ten years of sterling work blogging the EV. Many thanks to Dave for all his hard work and … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1359: Tug of War by Chalicea

Sat December 15, 2018 at 12:01 am by mc_rapper67

The last Chalicea puzzle I solved was the wonderful WWI/Armistice tribute IQ 1568 (Such Delight), and now we have a TUG OF WAR…what has made Mme Chalicea so bellicose recently…?! The (brief) preamble … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No.1358 – Pairs by Hawk

Sat December 8, 2018 at 12:01 am by Mister Sting

“16 clues contain an additional word that must be removed before solving; in PAIRS, these give definitions for the eight unclued entries. Solvers must highlight a ten-letter word that describes these entries and definitions. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended; one answer is in the Oxford Dictionary of English.”

Enigmatic Variations 1357 Giving the Game Away by Kcit

Sat December 1, 2018 at 11:01 amFri November 30, 2018 at 11:13 pm by twencelas

Some redundant words in clues which allow the grid to be completed. 4 unclued entries – otherwise all is normal. Proved to be hard work this puzzle, but eventually the grid started to … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1356: One Fine Day by Charismatix

Sat November 24, 2018 at 12:00 am by Shenanigans

A relatively straightforward preamble this week (and my last). In the completed grid, the contents of the coloured cells can be arranged into six words from which solvers must deduce the unclued ONE … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1355: The Theme Line by Artix

Sat November 17, 2018 at 12:28 pmSat November 17, 2018 at 12:01 am by mc_rapper67

An interesting looking grid from Artix with the THEME LINE – 13×13, but missing the corners, so only 165 cells to fill! – and some rare-ish mirror symmetry…what ‘line’ will we be taken … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1354 – More by Dale

Sat November 10, 2018 at 12:01 am by Mister Sting

“Clues are presented in alphabetical order of their answers, which must be entered where they will fit. Seven clues consist of wordplay only; on entry, their answers must be replaced with MORE. However, only six of these expansions fit in the grid; the seventh must be highlighted. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended; one answer is in Collins.”