Enigmatic Variations

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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Enigmatic Variations No.1634 – The Magnificent Seven by Gaston

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“Single-letter clashes occur in circled cells; reading in column order, picking one of the letters in each clash will spell out what THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN have in common; the other 14 letters should be entered in the cells. In each clue, the wordplay leads to the answer and a single extra letter; reading in clue order, these letters show how one would access one of the MAGNIFICENT SEVEN using the (appropriately positioned) circled letters. Its creator (4,8) should be written below the grid. One answer is an abbreviation; Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”

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Enigmatic Variations No.1630 – Mixed Doubles by Ifor

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“The answers to each pair of clues sharing a number must be MIXED so as to give the DOUBLES (pairs of names) that form the entry. Remaining across clues each contain a misprint in their definition; correct letters in clue order identify a playwright, one of whose works forms the central column. This work, differently punctuated, is part of a line (in ODQ) by another playwright which describes the shaded region of the grid. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”

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