Enigmatic Variations – Page 28

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.”

Enigmatic Variations 1353 Briefcases by Gaston

Sat November 3, 2018 at 12:16 pmSat November 3, 2018 at 12:05 am by twencelas

An alphabetic jigsaw style this week with misprints in all definitions. The replaced letters spelling out a phrase to indicate the theme. The BRIEFCASES then need to be highlighted. I must admit, it … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1352: Corruption by Eclogue

Sat October 27, 2018 at 12:00 am by Shenanigans

Here’s the preamble: Nine clues lack a definition, seven of which appear in the grid reformed after a thematic adjustment; the remaining two are untouched by such CORRUPTION. All clues have been corrupted … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations – Blogging Vacancy

Fri October 26, 2018 at 7:09 pmFri October 26, 2018 at 4:42 pm by Admin

Edit: Vacancy now filled. A vacancy has arisen on the Enigmatic Variations blogging team. If you are (or might be) interested in filling it please contact me via the email address below. The … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1351: A Glorious Day for Physics by Encota

Sat October 20, 2018 at 8:14 amSat October 20, 2018 at 12:01 am by mc_rapper67

A physics-based puzzle from Encota – will my 35-year-old Physics ‘A’ Level be of use? Will there be an ADM (apple-drop moment), rather than the usual PDM?… The preamble states that; “Three pairs of entries … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No.1350 – The Ultimate Prize by Cooper

Sat October 13, 2018 at 12:01 am by Mister Sting

“In 11 clues, the wordplay leads to the answer and an additional letter not to be entered into the grid; in clue order these letters give THE ULTIMATE PRIZE. Four entries clued without definition are associated surnames, three of which stand in the way of those seeking the prize; a fourth such surname (six letters) must be highlighted, as must be the two normally clued entries which form a cryptic indication of the puzzle’s theme. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended, but does not contain one entry that can be found in the Oxford Dictionary of English.”

Enigmatic Variations 1349 One Direction by Gnomie

Sat October 6, 2018 at 12:05 am by twencelas

14 entries without definition but some form of connection leading in one direction to an unclued entry. This unclued entry is repeated elsewhere in the grid. 20 cells to highlight therefore either a … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1348: Musical Theme and Variations by Jago

Sat September 29, 2018 at 6:44 amSat September 29, 2018 at 12:00 am by Shenanigans

A relatively straightforward preamble this week. In MUSICAL THEME AND VARIATIONS, the THEME (16dn) is a musical work — probably its composer’s best-known piece — and the VARIATIONS are literally based on its … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1347: Remainder by Gaston

Sat September 22, 2018 at 12:01 am by mc_rapper67

A nicely constructed grid and a reasonably challenging puzzle in REMAINDER from Gaston this week… The preamble states that: “This week, a large thematic group are bound for the entry in the central … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No.1346 – Driver by Oxymoron

Sat September 15, 2018 at 12:01 am by Mister Sting

“In DRIVER, a word is to be removed from each clue before solving. Letters formed by adding the initial letter of that word to the last letter of the clue answer define a word (A=1,27; B=2,28; etc). Solvers must reveal that word by highlighting seven of its examples, a total of 51 cells. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended, but does not give 40ac (in OED) and 3dn (a fairly common term).”