Enigmatic Variations

Enigmatic Variations No.1650 – Undesirable Celebrity by Kruger

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“Clues are given in alphabetical order of their answers, which must be entered where they will fit. Starting at the top left corner, the unclued perimeter identifies who became famous and the reason why, while the other two unclued entries reveal what caused this UNDESIRABLE CELEBRITY. Each clue contains an extra word; in normal clue order, the first, middle or last letters of these (approximately equal numbers of each) instruct what must be highlighted in the grid. Unchecked and mutually cross-checking letters from unclued entries could give SHOWS SPRING’S FLASH STUNTS. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”

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Enigmatic Variations No.1646 – Borderline by Vagans

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“Two down entries are on the BORDERLINE and clued without definition. Three other contiguous border entries are appropriate to their location. Wordplay in all other clues indicates the answer with an extra letter that is not entered in the grid; these spell out an instruction affecting 32 cells. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended; 37a is in the Oxford Dictionary of English.”

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Enigmatic Variations No.1642 – Conflict by Skylark

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“28 clues contain a surplus word, which should be removed before solving. In clue order, the first letters give one person’s accusation, whilst the final letters spell out much of another’s rebuttal, which is continued as pairs of surplus words in three other clues. In the remaining 10 clues, an extra letter must be removed before solving (leaving real words): in clue order, these specify the final contents of the shaded cells. The CONFLICT has affected the initial grid, resulting in clashes in seven cells to be resolved in favour of the letters making real words and names. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended”

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Enigmatic Variations No. 1638 – Chilly by The Ace Of Hearts

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“From the answer to each clue, a letter must be deleted wherever it appears before entry into the grid; definitions refer to the full unmutilated answer, wordplay to the grid entry and word length/count to the answer. In clue order, the omitted letters give a definition (eight words) of a CHILLY word in Chambers (six letters), which must be highlighted in the completed grid. The three unclued entries are examples of this word. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”

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