“A set of three small numbers is integral to the theme. These numbers taken in order identify letter-positions in successive groups of three clues, with the title regarded as the 36th and last clue for this purpose. In clue order the letters spell out an instruction to be applied to those cells which would need to contain a pair of letters if clue answers are to fit the cells available, whose number is given in brackets. These letter-pairs must not be entered. When read in conventional grid order, one letter from each spells out the originator of the theme, to be written under the grid; the others describe where it may be seen. CHOPS AND CHANGES to the completed grid are not required. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations
Enigmatic Variations 1301 Disappeared by Oxymoron
No clue numbers this week but an alphabetical across and down ordering with 10 misprints in definitions giving a clue to the puzzle’s theme. Also 6 unclued entries which are wholly blank in … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1300: Those Responsible by Samuel
A puzzle by our Editor this week, starting with the preamble: Answers to 17 clues are too short for the allowed space, and must be entered leaving one or more cells empty; solvers … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1299: Vicious Circle by Raffles
‘Only’ thirty clues (with a quotation round the perimeter), so surely VICIOUS CIRCLE is an EV blogger’s delight? But I found it hard to get going at first, although I squared the circle in … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1298 – Rings in the Changes? by Encota
“The definition in all but two thematic clues contains a single misprint that must be corrected before solving, occasionally requiring changes in spacing and punctuation. In clue order, the correct letters give two instructions. For the first, solvers must RING THE CHANGES (23 letters in total: 5,9;5;4). The second relates to letters within the six pre-marked rings, real words being formed; the resultant organisation’s director appears in the unclued entry. In the incorrect letters from misprints, perhaps WE FIND TOP TWENTY, DANCING AND CLASSICAL MUSIC; or CANDID NEWS, FACTS, ACTING, COMEDY – WIT/PUNS IN ALL. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations 1297 Blonde Ambition by Ranunculus
Autumn is here. A tussle with Ranunculus – of the buttercup genus. And the preamble…. The definition parts of nine clues have had two consecutive letters removed which must be reinstated prior to … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1296: Disappearances by proXimal
This week, there were no misprints or extra/missing wordplay letters, just clashes to identify. The preamble read: Ten thematic types linked to 5 down are formed in cells where entries clash; in all … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1295: Circuit Diagram by Granville
It must be 30-plus years since I last drew a CIRCUIT DIAGRAM, in ‘O’ and ‘A’ level physics, so this offering from Granville (a new setter on the scene?) had me thinking OMG … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1294 – Something Wrong by Kea
“Twelve answers are entered with SOMETHING WRONG, namely, a misprint of one letter; wordplay in their clues leads to the misprinted form. The correct letters in clue order spell a hint to the theme. Solvers must draw four thematic items (not necessarily in the form described) including all the misprints and 24 other letters. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.
Enigmatic Variations 1293 Full Marks by Steve
A cryptic preamble this week and no word lengths shown. Though the letters in the ringed cells of the final grid will help to fill in the grid. A real chicken and egg … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1292: Yackety-Yack by The Ace of Hearts
It didn’t seem that there would be anything too taxing this week: In YACKETY-YACK, from the answer to each clue a letter must be deleted wherever it appears before entry into the grid; … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1291: Full Disclosure by Piccadilly
FULL DISCLOSURE is not something we get too much these days, in the age of ‘fake news’ and spin doctors…what is Piccadilly going to disclose to us?… The preamble states that: “The wordplay … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1290 – Good Auspices by Charybdis
‘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 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 >>