“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
Enigmatic Variations 1357 Giving the Game Away by Kcit
Some redundant words in clues which allow the grid to be completed. 4 unclued entries – otherwise all is normal. Proved to be hard work this puzzle, but eventually the grid started to … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1356: One Fine Day by Charismatix
A relatively straightforward preamble this week (and my last). In the completed grid, the contents of the coloured cells can be arranged into six words from which solvers must deduce the unclued ONE … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1355: The Theme Line by Artix
An interesting looking grid from Artix with the THEME LINE – 13×13, but missing the corners, so only 165 cells to fill! – and some rare-ish mirror symmetry…what ‘line’ will we be taken … Read more >>
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 1353 Briefcases by Gaston
An alphabetic jigsaw style this week with misprints in all definitions. The replaced letters spelling out a phrase to indicate the theme. The BRIEFCASES then need to be highlighted. I must admit, it … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1352: Corruption by Eclogue
Here’s the preamble: Nine clues lack a definition, seven of which appear in the grid reformed after a thematic adjustment; the remaining two are untouched by such CORRUPTION. All clues have been corrupted … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations – Blogging Vacancy
Edit: Vacancy now filled. A vacancy has arisen on the Enigmatic Variations blogging team. If you are (or might be) interested in filling it please contact me via the email address below. The … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1351: A Glorious Day for Physics by Encota
A physics-based puzzle from Encota – will my 35-year-old Physics ‘A’ Level be of use? Will there be an ADM (apple-drop moment), rather than the usual PDM?… The preamble states that; “Three pairs of entries … Read more >>
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 1349 One Direction by Gnomie
14 entries without definition but some form of connection leading in one direction to an unclued entry. This unclued entry is repeated elsewhere in the grid. 20 cells to highlight therefore either a … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1348: Musical Theme and Variations by Jago
A relatively straightforward preamble this week. In MUSICAL THEME AND VARIATIONS, the THEME (16dn) is a musical work — probably its composer’s best-known piece — and the VARIATIONS are literally based on its … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1347: Remainder by Gaston
A nicely constructed grid and a reasonably challenging puzzle in REMAINDER from Gaston this week… The preamble states that: “This week, a large thematic group are bound for the entry in the central … Read more >>
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 1345 A Representation of… by Piccadilly
A perimeter with a message and some blank cells to be shaded to represent the perimeter. As preambles go very straight forward. This was a lot of fun. Not a difficult clue solve, … Read more >>