EV 1731 (Hints)

Enigmatic Variations 1731 (Hints)
Columns by Chalicea
Hints and tips by Gabriel / Jpeg

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

It is always good to start a new year off with a puzzle from Chalicea, whose puzzles are usually not too difficult and always fun. As far as the theme goes, what kind of Columns might these be? One thinks either of something Doric or of something in this newspaper. Let’s get to the clues.

But first what does Gemini think about it? “Based on the specific phrasing and the 11-letter thematic requirement, you are likely looking at a puzzle involving architecture, botany, or a historical set of pillars.” 

Preamble: The COLUMNS of a thematic subject (11 letters in a straight line, to be highlighted) inspired 22, 30, 32 and 41. Wordplay of alternate clues leads to an extra letter in addition to that required for the answer. In clue order, these give a description of the subject which derives from 12 by 22. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended. 

We note that columns aren’t usually diagonal (unless Pisano) which might mean that Chalicea is exploring other geometries. She also has explicitly indicated which clues produce an extra letter since “alternate” can only mean odd or even.

Across
15 Most of compound found in bile in Virginian quail (5)
Drop the ending of a compound and add a short word to get this name for a bird that aligns with its genus.

31 In Paris after circulating symbol used in music (5)
A foreign word and an abbreviation form this notational term. 

42 Gloomier doctor closed session with Republican (7)
This slightly depressing definition is paired with a wordplay charade in 3 parts, a 2 letter abbreviation, a word that might describe what a court did, and a 1 letter abbreviation. Not too tricky but it took a while to put the WP together.

Down
21 Less apparent to be informed location of labyrinth (8, two words)
The labyrinth in question is not the classical one but something named after it. The WP is two words, the first of which is the opposite of something openly revealed.

28 Magistrate’s office once to track East European (7)
This historical term is assembled from wordplay via a charade of two words and an abbreviation, but the abbreviation might not be the one you are expecting.

31 Sacred song after death including obligation to secrecy (5)
The sacred song is one of a very old collection. The WP has a two-letter abbreviation surrounding a word.

Definitions in clues are underlined.

That wasn’t too bad – just a few clues that took a bit of work to resolve the wordplay. Once a single  clue has been solved then the pattern is obvious which simplifies things considerably. Once the unclued acrosses start getting filled with letters from the vertical columns along with the extra letters everything comes together nicely. And indeed , for once, what to highlight isn’t on the diagonal but in a straight line – appropriately vertical. 

The endgame, as in all good puzzles, will expose you to some new (at least, to us!)  information: in this case, geographic and literary.  And Gemini wasn’t completely off-track.

Toughness 1.5 / 4

Could new readers please read the Welcome post and the FAQ before posting comments or asking questions about the site.

As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put any ANSWERS, whether WHOLE, PARTIAL or INCORRECT, or any ALTERNATIVE CLUES in your comment.

Please read these instructions carefully – they are not subject to debate or discussion. Offending comments may be redacted or, in extreme cases, deleted. In all cases the administrator’s decision is final.

---