“One letter must be removed from each clue before solving; in clue order, these letters spell out four headwords/subheads (2 x two words, 2 x one word) in Chambers which have similar meanings. A trickster (six letters, to be highlighted) has implemented the definition of one of these words (which might be cryptically described as POTATO SCRAPS) on the completed grid; solvers must restore the grid to its original state by changing four letters in one entry. All entries in the original and final grid are real words; Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended. ”
Mister Sting
Enigmatic Variations No.1502 – The Name of the Game by Ranunculus
“The eight unclued entries are thematically linked and each must be entered in an appropriate style. Pairs of clues in numerical sequence provide (one per clue, in either order) a one-word definition and a letter mixture (beginning or ending at a word boundary) of a word that will fit in an unclued slot, giving two alternatives for each of seven slots. The theme dictates both the correct choice for each specific grid location and the style in which it must be entered. Were the non-thematic options used instead, their eight unchecked letters (read in conventional grid order) would spell out THE NAME OF THE GAME, which must be entered under the grid; this provides a further hint to the final thematic entry. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1498 – The Australasian One by Eclogue
The preamble
“A letter must fall out wherever it occurs from a thematic (or related) answer in each of the central nine columns, dropping into the bottom row to form THE AUSTRALASIAN ONE which, along with two thematic answers, is not in Chambers Dictionary (2016), which is otherwise recommended. Enumerations refer to grid entries.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1494 – The North American One by Sea-Kale
“The unclued entry at 6 down (three words) is the title of a version – THE NORTH AMERICAN ONE – of an earlier work. Each of the first three clues is really two clues side by side but not overlapping, leading to the two numbered entries (either may be clued first). Their answers, thematically placed, hint at two opposing groups. The wordplay in 17 of the remaining across clues leads to the answer plus an extra letter not to be entered in the grid. The extra letters spell out the surnames of the two creators of the work. In the completed grid, solvers must highlight the first names of two protagonists and the place they desire. ”
Enigmatic Variations No.1490 – BORICAHF by Picadilly
The preamble
“Answers to the four asterisked clues are to be encoded using a Playfair code-square before entry in the grid. The three unclued entries have been encoded using the same code-square, as has BORICAHF. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended. ”
Enigmatic Variations No.1486 – SATISFACTION by proXimal
“All clues are normal, but each of the answers to 43 clues must be entered with a single-letter misprint, always occurring in a cell shared with a crossing entry; in clue order, correct letters spell out a question. Solvers must change the contents of four cells in the grid to demonstrate the answer to SATISFACTION. The grid contains real words at every stage; Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended”
Enigmatic Variations No.1482 – Map by Gaston
“Eight suitably positioned and thematically connected elements are hidden in the completed grid. Five of these are of a kind and should be coloured appropriately (35 cells). Three others (the first and last two on the MAP) should each be highlighted by drawing rectangles round the relevant elements (13 cells in total). Solvers should add to the MAP by finding a ninth element, forever associated with the theme, whose six cells should be coloured brown, including one cell that had been shaded earlier. Apart from one that is L-shaped, all elements are in straight lines. Two answers are abbreviations. ”
Enigmatic Variations No.1478 – Excusez-moi by Eclogue
“The correct letters of misprints in definitions, in clue order, provide a French version (ignoring one accent) of a common English idiom and some additional assistance, which together will explain each EXCUSEZ-MOI required in a number of undefined, but otherwise plain, clue answers. Enumerations refer to entry lengths. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended; one answer is an abbreviation.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1474 – The Mover and the Lover by Ifor
“The originally-completed grid contains three empty cells, to be filled with letters taken from elsewhere in the grid, so showing a thematic movement. The effect of this movement must be undone by changing one entry to two new words and inserting a bar. Clues to all answers occupying 7, 8 and 9-letter slots contain an extra word. Read in clue order, one letter from each (always the second or penultimate) spells out the MOVER; the alternative choices identify the LOVER. Numbers give cells available; ignoring empty cells, all answers and entries are words in Chambers Dictionary (2016).”
Enigmatic Variations No. 1470 – Level Crossing by Hedge-Sparrow
“Two unclued entries, to be completed by solvers, are the site of a LEVEL CROSSING and an (incomplete) inscription commemorating it. Seven answers require a non-standard method of entry (numbers in brackets after clues refer to entry lengths). The missing part of the inscription is represented by modifications applied to six other answers prior to entry (three each of two types). Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended; 40 and 1 down are in Collins.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1466 – All That by Poat
“The two unclued entries comprise a duo and an alternative rendering; ALL THAT must be completed by filling the empty cell. Four of the duo’s works, treated in accordance with the rendering, appear symmetrically in the grid, and must be highlighted along with the completion (34 cells in total). Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1462 – Incomprehensible by Kruger
“Clashes occur in ten cells and must be resolved in a way that many solvers may consider to be INCOMPREHENSIBLE to them. Wordplay in half of the clues yields an extra letter not to be entered in the grid; in clue order, these letters give a further instruction. Numbers in brackets refer to the space available for entries. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended, 12 is in Collins.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1458 – Cover Story by Gaston
“Clues are given in normal order, but there are five unclued thematic entries, one of which must have seven of its cells blacked out in the completed grid; the other four are all of a kind. Solvers must highlight 19 suitably placed cells in the completed grid, thus completing the COVER STORY. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations No. 1454 – Ramjets by Eclogue
“An extra letter not entered in the grid is generated by wordplay in each clue; read in clue order, the extra letters give three names which will lead solvers to the definition of RAMJETS, the eight unclued entries. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1446 – Band to Reset by Ifor
“Clues are normal and in conventional order; bars (which would not be symmetrical) must not be shown. Numbers given are answer lengths. Three cells each containing more than one letter must have each group replaced by a symbol. In the completed grid 20 cells containing two names and one letter showing a position in a sequence must be highlighted and three letters italicised; the centre cell is left empty. Solvers must empty six further cells which allow BAND TO reset, leaving real words. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”