Many EVs have marked moments of one kind or another. Will this be an historical occasion, a moment in a process, or something else entirely. (Excellent! I’ve written an introduction that doesn’t mention semen.)
Enigmatic Variations
Enigmatic Variations 1134 Darkness by Oxymoron
A treat for me this week Oxymoron – a favourite compiler of mine for many a year. Always a challenge but always fair. 28 clues need 2 or 3 letters to be removed … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1133: Peripheral Consequences by Jaques
A smaller than average grid and a longer than average preamble greeted us this week. In fact, close reading of the preamble told us that the grid had a perimeter which needed filling … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1132: Another Game by Artix
A blank grid with no bars or numbers – and one of the longest preambles for a while…is Artix going to be playing games with our heads? That preamble in full: The two … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1131 – The Journey South by Gila
A puzzle by ‘Gila’ this week. Will it prove to be a monster? If it does, at least they’re ‘normally not fatal to adult humans’, which is a relief.
Enigmatic Variations 1130 What’s the catch? by Picadilly
What’s the catch? well this week in crosswording terms there are 20 answers to be entered with empty cells. Otherwise straight clues and certainly at the easier end of the EV spectrum with … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1129: Bang! by Kcit
A slightly different clueing technique this week. There were several clues comprising two definitions to words which differed by one letter and wordplay to the common letters. A block of cells would provide … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1128: Unknown Destination by MynoT
Hmmm…if you have an UNKNOWN DESTINATION, it might take a long time to get ‘there’ – and so this proved for your correspondent. Every answer must be entered without one letter – wherever it … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1127 – Nightmare by Eclogue
‘ordeal, horror, torment, torture, trial, calamity, agony, anguish, awful experience’.
That’s how Chambers describes a nightmare. Oh goody…
Enigmatic Variations 1126 Translation by Samson
A puzzle subject to be found and two of his works. Followed by a translation to be found based on extra letters in the wordplay – sounds like fun. And I was as … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1125: TRRNRUN × VT by Kea
It’s always wise to treat Kea puzzles with respect and trepidation. This one seemed to be a combination of a normal EV with a bit of mathematics thrown in as well. It will … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1124: Hard Graft by Chalicea
The preamble to ‘HARD GRAFT’ tells us that a ‘6A by 11D’ (both unclued) will appear in the grid (five words) and explain said ‘graft’. In addition, each clue’s wordplay will lead to … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1123 – Untitled by Samuel
The title doesn’t give a lot to go on, but I think we all recognise the setter.
Enigmatic Variations 1122 Pet Shop Boys et al by Dysart
8 jumbles, 28 misprinted clues – members of a group to find. An outline to be drawn through 12 connecting and symmetrically placed cells and 6 cells to highlight representing the title? Sounds … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1121: Excessively Affable by Kruger
One of my favourite setters this week, not to mention one of the most prolific here at EV. This week, we had a misprint in half the clues, with the incorrect letters spelling … Read more >>