“Nine clues consist of jokes that might be found in CRACKERS; the grid entry in each case is the punchline. In 40 clues, the wordplay leads to the answer plus an additional letter not to be entered in the grid; in clue order these give another joke, the punchline to which (13 letters) must be highlighted. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Mister Sting
Enigmatic Variations No.1306 – A Drop in the Ocean by Chalicea
“In A DROP IN THE OCEAN, six solutions, when entered correctly, have spaces into which solvers must appropriately move a thematic item which, carrying 19 and 22, ran into trouble at 25 and broke 36, finally settling on the 47. The wordplay in each across clue leads to the answer and an additional letter not to be entered into the grid; these letters give a further instruction. Initial and final grids, ignoring empty cells, contain only real words.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1302 – Chops and Changes by Ifor
“A set of three small numbers is integral to the theme. These numbers taken in order identify letter-positions in successive groups of three clues, with the title regarded as the 36th and last clue for this purpose. In clue order the letters spell out an instruction to be applied to those cells which would need to contain a pair of letters if clue answers are to fit the cells available, whose number is given in brackets. These letter-pairs must not be entered. When read in conventional grid order, one letter from each spells out the originator of the theme, to be written under the grid; the others describe where it may be seen. CHOPS AND CHANGES to the completed grid are not required. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1298 – Rings in the Changes? by Encota
“The definition in all but two thematic clues contains a single misprint that must be corrected before solving, occasionally requiring changes in spacing and punctuation. In clue order, the correct letters give two instructions. For the first, solvers must RING THE CHANGES (23 letters in total: 5,9;5;4). The second relates to letters within the six pre-marked rings, real words being formed; the resultant organisation’s director appears in the unclued entry. In the incorrect letters from misprints, perhaps WE FIND TOP TWENTY, DANCING AND CLASSICAL MUSIC; or CANDID NEWS, FACTS, ACTING, COMEDY – WIT/PUNS IN ALL. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Enigmatic Variations No.1294 – Something Wrong by Kea
“Twelve answers are entered with SOMETHING WRONG, namely, a misprint of one letter; wordplay in their clues leads to the misprinted form. The correct letters in clue order spell a hint to the theme. Solvers must draw four thematic items (not necessarily in the form described) including all the misprints and 24 other letters. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.
Enigmatic Variations No.1290 – Good Auspices by Charybdis
‘In GOOD AUSPICES, answers to unclued entries in single-digit positions are thematically related; those at 11 (so they say) belong to a later set. Unchecked and mutually cross-checking letters of these unclued entries could spell WIND IS UP – I HALT DOZINGS. A seven-letter word which might be seen during the transition must be appropriately coloured (in whatever manner), as must two linked identical squares of four cells each. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.’
Enigmatic Variations No1286 – Resistance by Augeas
We have an abundance of instruction this week. All but two clues contain extra words. The first letters of these words (and the numbers of the other two clues) give an instruction. Nine ringed cells give a thematic object and surname.
Enigmatic Variations No.1282 – Title Change by Gos
“The puzzle’s theme is a work by a well-known British crime writer.” Well, I just read a book by a well-known British crime writer, and I know who I think it is…
Enigmatic Variations No.1278 – Rewriting History by Serpent
The wordplay in all across clues and in sixteen down clues are thematically modified. The across clues have extra letters, which spell out a message; the modifications applied to down clues are to be worked out. There are also two unclued entries, which must be replaced in line with the theme.
Enigmatic Variations No.1274 – Structure by proXimal
Puzzles like this one, where the clues given in alphabetical order of their answers, tend to involve a fair amount of cold solving before a tipping point where (if the solver is lucky) everything slots into place. I have a soft spot for them, but the obvious worry is that one will run into difficulty with the cold solving.
Enigmatic Variations No.1270 – Uplifting by Chalicea
The preamble tells us that there is an UPLIFTING sentiment found in five sides of the perimeter. However, the grid is a square, so what does this mean?
Enigmatic Variations No.1266 – Missing Lights by Shark
Sorry this one’s late! Apparently I hadn’t set it to publish automatically.
Enigmatic Variations No. 1262 – The Upton Times by Kruger
This puzzle has additional and missing letters, and misprints in definitions. However, we don’t know which clues are affected in what way or even how many of each there are (only that there are ‘approximately equal numbers of each’). Nor do we know what is to be done to complete the puzzle, only that these letters will explain whatever it is.
Well, this should be a piece of cake.
Enigmatic Variations No.100,008 – Christmas Day Message by Stick Insect
Apparently there’s nothing enigmatic about this title’s puzzle. I am reliably informed that internet-only EVs like this one (of which there have been 8) are numbered differently.
The preamble is clearly written, but there appear to be a number of challenges in the way of the solver – mainly various issues resulting from a surfeit of letters to inhabit the cells. I’m making my way through my stocking as I start this, so let’s hope there’s a nice way in to this puzzle…
Enigmatic Variations No.1255 – The Main Point by Chalicea
The grid is a graphic representation of a ’35 across’ (4). There’s a barred-off cell in the centre of the grid that has to be filled in, and a message composed of extra letters in the wordplay. There’s also a strong hint that we might have to draw a line of some sort.