This is my second ‘enter where they will fit’ puzzle in a row. I normally enjoy these, but this one has an additional element on top of the cold solving – ten answers must be ‘thematically treated’.
Enigmatic Variations
Enigmatic Variations 1230 Win, Lose or Draw by Maranga
A perimeter to be filled in with a maxim and its author – this depicts people who win or lose? And must be obeyed before entering all answers. A bit of a chicken … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1229: Rising Doubt by Chalicea
A smaller than average grid for me this week — just 11×11 and 22 cells to be highlighted. Each across clue contained an extra thematic word, the first letters of which give an … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 1228: Full Circle by Artix
What will EV solvers find at the ‘Artix Circle’?…A vast expanse of whiteness for a start! With no numbers and very few bars, we have ourselves another jigsaw EV…albeit at least with the … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1227 – Thinking Outside the Box by Piccadilly
Thinking Outside the Box is an ‘enter where they will fit’ puzzle. These typically require a lot of cold solving, so we’re (more than usually) at the mercy of the setter. If the clues are very difficult, these take a great deal of work. So how much thinking – inside or outside the box – will Piccadilly’s puzzle require?
Enigmatic Variations 1226 FoRbIdDeN by Ifor
Down clues are normal – always a good start. Acrosses however have alternate misprints in the definition or wordplay. The misprints yield what is partly forbidden and does not appear. One down entry … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1225: The Eminence Grise by Gaston
Gaston’s last puzzle (no. 1191, Briefing Received) had the I before E rule/exception as its theme. I remember enjoying that puzzle, especially the highlighting which gave a large I and E in the … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 1224: Subtitles by Oxymoron
SUBTITLES ticks several EV boxes: unnumbered thematic clues to be inserted where they fit; but first jumbled with a letter removed – removed letters forming thematic names; misprints in some definitions giving more thematic … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1223 Treasure Island by Ranunculus
The puzzle comes in the form of an old-style treasure map with ‘cryptic’ instructions. Buccaneers, cutlasses, captains, pirates, and booty are among the various apparently thematic elements that appear in the clues, but will they help us find the treasure or will Cap’n Gown’s hoard prove elusive?
Enigmatic Variations 1222 The Lost Author by Dysart
Six across clue answers need jumbling and adding a letter – six down clue answers need jumbling and losing a letter. The added and lost letters then give the main words of a … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1221: A Man of Letters by Harribobs
Firstly, apologies to bloggees and, especially, Harribobs for the late posting of this blog. I thought it was my turn this coming weekend. Wrong! (And I haven’t even solved it yet!) This was … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 1220: Ring Damascus by Kruger
This was quite challenging (for me, at least) and, if it wasn’t a blogging week, it might have been quietly put to one side and walked away from! I just about managed to … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1219 – Semi-detached by Nod
There are 60 clues, but there are only 42 spaces in the grid. What is the resolution to this problem?
Enigmatic Variations 1218 Cat by Stick Insect
A cat themed puzzle this week. One that brings mangled presents from eight answers these must be removed before entry. Sounds typical of a cat! These then need to be listed under the … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1217: Quantitative Easing by Jaques
This week we had an alphabetical jigsaw from Jaques. I have to confess that they’re not my favourite, although I’ve had my fair share to blog at Listen With Others. They generally involve … Read more >>