Enigmatic Variations

Enigmatic Variations 1210 Whodunnit by Ranunculus

Fri February 5, 2016 at 9:12 pm by twencelas

A whodunnit this week – based on Cluedo. Five innocent suspects to be eliminated and 5 weapons too – all hidden in the clues. The murder room is then the room defined by … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1209: Two Out of Place by Piccadilly

Sat January 30, 2016 at 12:00 am by Shenanigans

The old move letters into the perimeter trick this week. Letters latent with the latent letters moving. Definition and wordplay were to the full answer; we just had to work out which letter … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1208: Unknown Commitment by Kruger

Sat January 23, 2016 at 12:01 am by mc_rapper67

I don’t know if I am speaking for the other EV bloggers, but to me every fourth EV puzzle is a bit of an UNKNOWN COMMITMENT… What have I let myself in for this … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No.1207 – Mix by Samuel

Sat January 16, 2016 at 12:50 pmSat January 16, 2016 at 12:00 am by Mister Sting

This EV uses alphabetically listed clued that have to be slotted in to the grid. That normally means quite a bit of cold solving. The danger is that one can feel one isn’t getting anywhere. That said, I do have a soft spot for Samuel’s EVs, so I have confidence that this will be enjoyable.

Enigmatic Variations 1206 A fantasy in Two Movements by Ploy

Sat January 9, 2016 at 12:13 am by twencelas

Well what a preamble. Nine words and a letter from the clues need returning to the preamble for it to make sense. Also letters need to be moved in an indeterminate number of … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1205: Somehow Find a Replacement by Serpent

Sat January 2, 2016 at 12:00 am by Shenanigans

This is Serpent’s first EV, although I remember his IQ a few months back that was quite tricky. Here we had 12 acrosses that need modification before entry — six each of two … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1204: Rest by Mynot

Sat December 26, 2015 at 12:01 am by mc_rapper67

After struggling through a few blank-ish jigsaw EVs recently, I was hoping for a REST…and so it seemed to be…until I realised that Mynot had given me FOUR mini-jigsaws!… Sets of four clues … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No.1203 – Admitting Defeat by proXimal

Sat December 19, 2015 at 12:00 am by Mister Sting

Quite an ominous title this week!

There are extra letters in across clues that indicate how additional words in some down clues must be treated. That’s about all the clue we have to the theme.

Enigmatic Variations 1202 Representatives by Samson

Sat December 12, 2015 at 12:05 am by twencelas

Samson’s offering this week. Six clues with no definition, which the need replacing, wordplay with additional letters spelling out initials, a seventh member and a thematic adjustment. And a final grid with only … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1201: The Last One by Ifor

Sat December 5, 2015 at 12:00 am by Shenanigans

I’ve come to treat an Ifor puzzle with some trepidation. His last EV was No. 1188, Portmanteau, with its phrases for helping the aspiring solver: spilling the beans, giving the game away, and … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1200: Rule of Thumb by Jaguar

Sat November 28, 2015 at 8:38 amSat November 28, 2015 at 12:01 am by mc_rapper67

The EV clock has ticked over to 12:00 – midday/noon, or midnight? Will this be significant? We celebrate another century of EVs with … yet another jigsaw (gaaahh!). Chambers defines ‘RULE OF THUMB’ as … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No.1199 – Belief by Stick Insect

Sun November 22, 2015 at 10:28 amSat November 21, 2015 at 12:00 am by Mister Sting

I do believe I’ve done it again! I’m sorry this is late. I had ‘EVs’ written on my hand all day Friday to remind me to finish this off.

The preamble informs us of two characters – A and B – each with a belief. Seven answers are modified in line with A’s belief, but B seems to have the upper hand, as A’s name is ultimately replaced by B’s. Extra letters spelling out B’s belief should help us on our way.