‘In GOOD AUSPICES, answers to unclued entries in single-digit positions are thematically related; those at 11 (so they say) belong to a later set. Unchecked and mutually cross-checking letters of these unclued entries could spell WIND IS UP – I HALT DOZINGS. A seven-letter word which might be seen during the transition must be appropriately coloured (in whatever manner), as must two linked identical squares of four cells each. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.’
Enigmatic Variations
Enigmatic Variations 1289 Migration by Gnomie
As July comes to a close – 5 down clues to lose letters and 5 across clues to receive the letters. All real words in the final grid and thematic items – with … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1288: The Bigger Picture by Elgar (Updated)
I’d been asked a couple of times during July “Are you blogging the EV the day after the Inquisitor No. 1500 celebrations?” “Yes,” said I. “Oh dear!” said they, “It’s a tough one.” … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1287: Go For It! by Kruger
Well, on the scale of ‘Fifty Shades of EV’, this was a masochistic 40-plus for your correspondent…Kruger exhorted us to ‘GO FOR IT!’, but I staggered across the line like a marathon runner … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No1286 – Resistance by Augeas
We have an abundance of instruction this week. All but two clues contain extra words. The first letters of these words (and the numbers of the other two clues) give an instruction. Nine ringed cells give a thematic object and surname.
Enigmatic Variations 1285 Outrageous Simile by Stick Kcit
A wonderfully complex preamble this week. Read once, twice maybe three times? And then start on the clues and hope it all falls into place. The preamble in summary: There are 9 … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1284: Team by Chalicea
After my last EV slog blog (Mynot’s atomic numbers), hopefully an easier week with Chalicea. The preamble was straightforward, so all boded well: In TEAM, 20ac (two words) in the 27ac was the … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1283: Coastline Clashes by Oxymoron
Hmm…what sort of ‘COASTLINE CLASHES’ is Oxymoron testing us with this week? I’m not so good on history, so if it is sea battles I might struggle… The preamble states: “Each of the six … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1282 – Title Change by Gos
“The puzzle’s theme is a work by a well-known British crime writer.” Well, I just read a book by a well-known British crime writer, and I know who I think it is…
Enigmatic Variations 1281 Carte Blanche by Stick Insect
No bars this week. Extra letters in all the clues which spell out a line from a play. The letters within the speaker of this line then need to be highlighted. Sounds amusing. … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1280: Occasional Item of Furniture by MynoT
All answers in this puzzle needed to be changed thematically before entry, “[w]ith the help of an OCCASIONAL ITEM OF FURNITURE”. (Do you like the way I put square brackets around the initial … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1279: Mythological Film Club by Samuel
A cinematic pun-fest from Samuel this week, in MYTHOLOGICAL FILM CLUB… The preamble states that: “In a game of MYTHOLOGICAL FILM CLUB, ten thematic clues each consist of a partial film title which … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1278 – Rewriting History by Serpent
The wordplay in all across clues and in sixteen down clues are thematically modified. The across clues have extra letters, which spell out a message; the modifications applied to down clues are to be worked out. There are also two unclued entries, which must be replaced in line with the theme.
Enigmatic Variations 1277 Remake by Eclogue
Half the clues lose a letter and the other half gain, with the letters lost matching the letters gained. These letters can then be rearranged to provide a thematic link to a surname … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1276: XXXX by Ifor
Here we had Ifor opening his soul to us, but obviously in code. The preamble read: An exhausted and destitute Ifor says “I’m XXXXX and on my XXXXX, so I’m going to stop … Read more >>