The preamble tells us to ‘demand PROTECTION’ (capitalised – although that isn’t the given title?). No answer lengths are given, but we are told that ‘[a]ll cells must be filled such that all entries are real words’, so presumably some answers will be too short for their spaces? We also have to write ‘the theme word’ under the grid – a word that we’re told can be formed from the added letters.
Mister Sting
Enigmatic Variations No.1247 – Changing Roles by Samson
The preamble tells us that we are going to be introduced to six fictional characters who, engaged in a common endeavour, are temporarily CHANGING ROLES. What connection will there be between these roles and the cell that is to be left blank?
Enigmatic Variations No.1243 – Potpourri by Ranunculus
The POTPOURRI in question in EV1243 is, the preamble tells us, made up of seven ingredients (a further one is ‘controversially omitted’).
Enigmatic Variations No.1239 – What’s at Stake? by Kcit
Half of the clues have an extra letter coming from the wordplay, and the other half have an extra letter in the clue itself. The former ‘spell out an interpretation to be placed on the grid. The latter ‘spell out what must be highlighted in the completed grid, and why five of the 17 cells involved must be distinguished from the other 12.’ The completed grid will also have ‘a thematic comment that identifies the distinguishing feature’.
How very curious.
Enigmatic Variations No.1235 – Response by Giovanni
Omitted letters from across clues – unusually along with ‘what has happened to them’ – spell out ‘an extract from a quotation’. The puzzle’s title is from the symbolised RESPONSE that is to be highlighted in the completed grid.
Enigmatic Variations No.1231 – Awake! Why? by MynoT
This is my second ‘enter where they will fit’ puzzle in a row. I normally enjoy these, but this one has an additional element on top of the cold solving – ten answers must be ‘thematically treated’.
Enigmatic Variations No.1227 – Thinking Outside the Box by Piccadilly
Thinking Outside the Box is an ‘enter where they will fit’ puzzle. These typically require a lot of cold solving, so we’re (more than usually) at the mercy of the setter. If the clues are very difficult, these take a great deal of work. So how much thinking – inside or outside the box – will Piccadilly’s puzzle require?
Enigmatic Variations No.1223 Treasure Island by Ranunculus
The puzzle comes in the form of an old-style treasure map with ‘cryptic’ instructions. Buccaneers, cutlasses, captains, pirates, and booty are among the various apparently thematic elements that appear in the clues, but will they help us find the treasure or will Cap’n Gown’s hoard prove elusive?
Enigmatic Variations No.1219 – Semi-detached by Nod
There are 60 clues, but there are only 42 spaces in the grid. What is the resolution to this problem?
Enigmatic Variations No.1215 – Slapdash by Ogit
I’ve never known an EV to be slapdash, and I doubt this one will be!
Enigmatic Variations No.1211 – Annual Leave by Oxymoron
This EV seems to have a lot going on. There’s a work of some kind spelled out by extra letters, which are indicated by extra words in eighteen clues. The work ‘suggests’ a number of grid entries that have two components – one of which is ‘derived’ from the answer, the other of which ‘is to be deduced’. There’s also an unclued entry.
Enigmatic Variations No.1207 – Mix by Samuel
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 No.1203 – Admitting Defeat by proXimal
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 No.1199 – Belief by Stick Insect
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.
Enigmatic Variations No 1195 – Skyfall by Chalicea
Thanks to Gaufrid for stepping in!
I have switched phones and had apparently turned off email updates, alarms, and notifications (although not the messages every five minutes suggesting I buy extras)!
Appropriately, the phone I’m (mis)using is the new Bond phone. There’s obviously the possibility of a Bond reference in the title, especially when there’s a Bond film coming out soon (actually, it’s out now), but is it actually Bond-related?