Enigmatic Variations

Enigmatic Variations No.1506 – Potato Scraps by The Ace of Hearts

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“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. ”

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Enigmatic Variations No.1502 – The Name of the Game by Ranunculus

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“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.”

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Enigmatic Variations No.1498 – The Australasian One by Eclogue

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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.”

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Enigmatic Variations No.1494 – The North American One by Sea-Kale

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“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. ”

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