“In RECONSTRUCTIONS, the answers to seven clues must be reconstructed, in each case omitting one letter, to form thematic entries. When the grid has been filled, an eighth thematic reconstruction, formed from the omitted letters, must be entered so as to consume another entry (leaving crossing entries as real words). Solvers must highlight a hidden term (6) which completes all the thematic entries. Numbers in brackets refer to entry lengths.”
Mister Sting
Enigmatic Variations No.1378 – Weightwatchers’ Advice by The Ace of Hearts
“In WEIGHTWATCHERS’ ADVICE, two clues are normal, but their answers must be entered thematically. From the answer to every other clue a letter must be deleted wherever it appears before entry into the grid; definitions refer to the full unmutilated answer, and wordplay to the grid entry. In clue order, the omitted letters give a phrase followed by its definition. This definition should help solvers with the entry method of the two normal clues. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1374 – Mea Culpa by Ranunculus
“MEA CULPA: the results of my sins are suggested by modifications which must be made to three answers on entry into the grid; the lengths given are those of grid entries. Three other clues lack a shared definition; their solutions suggest my victims. My first name can be seen above; you must locate and highlight my nine-letter second name in the grid. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1370 – Quotation by Gos
“The theme of the puzzle is a well-known final comment, subsequently much quoted (although rarely in full). After completion of the grid the contents of 11 cells must be erased (always leaving real words) and one circled letter replaced, to reveal the encompassing QUOTATION (10 words). The 12 circled letters can then be arranged to form the speaker’s surname, which must be written below the grid. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended, but does not contain 20ac (which can be confirmed in ODE) or 10dn.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1366 – The Clash by Auctor
“THE CLASH will be on stage thirteen times. One set of letters (according to definitions when read in clue order) gives two names, whilst the other set spells the names of three adversaries; a generic name for the former pair appears in the circles. All grid entries are given by wordplay, and Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1362 – Christmas Eve by Augicea
“The unclued entries (6,4 and 5,5,6) were responsible for the thematic event which took place on CHRISTMAS EVE. Across and down clues clash in seven cells. In each across clue there is an extra word which must be removed before solving. The middle letters of these words, read in clue order, give a phrase that cryptically tells solvers which of the clashing letters must be chosen; not all resulting entries are real words. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended; one answer is a variant spelling that can be found in the Oxford Dictionary of English.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1358 – Pairs by Hawk
“16 clues contain an additional word that must be removed before solving; in PAIRS, these give definitions for the eight unclued entries. Solvers must highlight a ten-letter word that describes these entries and definitions. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended; one answer is in the Oxford Dictionary of English.”
Enigmatic Variations 1354 – More by Dale
“Clues are presented in alphabetical order of their answers, which must be entered where they will fit. Seven clues consist of wordplay only; on entry, their answers must be replaced with MORE. However, only six of these expansions fit in the grid; the seventh must be highlighted. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended; one answer is in Collins.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1350 – The Ultimate Prize by Cooper
“In 11 clues, the wordplay leads to the answer and an additional letter not to be entered into the grid; in clue order these letters give THE ULTIMATE PRIZE. Four entries clued without definition are associated surnames, three of which stand in the way of those seeking the prize; a fourth such surname (six letters) must be highlighted, as must be the two normally clued entries which form a cryptic indication of the puzzle’s theme. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended, but does not contain one entry that can be found in the Oxford Dictionary of English.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1346 – Driver by Oxymoron
“In DRIVER, a word is to be removed from each clue before solving. Letters formed by adding the initial letter of that word to the last letter of the clue answer define a word (A=1,27; B=2,28; etc). Solvers must reveal that word by highlighting seven of its examples, a total of 51 cells. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended, but does not give 40ac (in OED) and 3dn (a fairly common term).”
Enigmatic Variations No.1342 – Accomplishment by Chalicea
’44 honoured ACCOMPLISHMENT in 1, 4, 21, 32 and 42 (all unclued); solvers must highlight one of his own. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1338 – London Songbook by Marmaduke
“In a game of LONDON SONGBOOK, six clues consist of a partial song title that can be completed in a punning fashion by adding the name of a part of London. For instance, If I Were a ____ (from Fiddler on the Roof) might be completed with the word ‘Richmond’ to give a punning version of the song title If I Were a Rich Man. Answers to these clues must be entered where they will fit. In ten across clues, the wordplay leads to the answer and an additional letter not to be entered into the grid. In clue order, these letters give a musical group and a further partial song title; solvers must highlight the eight-letter part of London which might complete the title.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1334 – Creativity by Tigga
‘The grid presents two works of CREATIVITY (unclued) which solvers must complete. The authors of both must be highlighted in the completed grid (a total of 22 letters). Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1330 – Pioneer by Shark
‘The grid illustrates a pioneering feat. The unclued entry must be left blank initially, and the grid completed by filling it with the name of the PIONEER. Solvers must also enter the same single letter into the two barred-off cells, highlight two points of interest in the grid, and connect them with a curved line (running through the term he
coined). Having disliked a term already in use, solvers must remove four letters from the grid (cryptically signifying the term itself). The final grid contains only real words; Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended, but does not contain the plural form at 32.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1326 – Fashion by Chalicea
‘A speaker and his comment on poor FASHION circle the perimeter. Solvers must make good seven examples within the grid, thus resolving 24 clashes. Definitions and wordplay refer to the poor FASHION, each cell in the completed grid contains just one letter, and Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.’