Enigmatic Variations 1739 (Hints)
ABC Order by Vagans
Hints and tips by Gabriel
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Vagans has us thinking today of our alphabet or maybe the Jackson 5.… Continue reading
Category: EV Hints
EV 1738 (Hints)
Enigmatic Variations 1738 (Hints)
Cross Words by Robyn
Hints and tips by Phibs
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Telegraph regulars will recognize today’s setter as the deputy puzzles editor, using a pseudonym normally associated with his Toughies; he has set themed puzzles for several publications in years gone by under a different nom de guerre, including ten Listeners (three more than me), but as far as I can ascertain this is his first EV – if so, we extend a warm welcome to him.
EV 1737 (Hints)
Enigmatic Variations 1737 (Hints)
What He Said by Vismut
Hints and tips by Gabriel
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Our friend(s) Gemini claimed that the “commonality” is Vismut (the setter’s name and the nordic name for Bismuth), namely “Bi” in the periodic table.… Continue reading
EV 1736 (Hints)
Enigmatic Variations 1736 (Hints)
Crack Up by Shark
Hints and tips by Phibs
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With very little to offer Claude in terms of today’s puzzle, I asked, “Why would a setter of themed crossword puzzles choose to call themselves Shark?”
EV 1735 (Hints)
Enigmatic Variations 1735 (Hints)
Unstated by Kcit
Hints and tips by Gabriel / Jpeg
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It looks like Kcit (one of our favourite appropriately inverted antipodean setters) is trying to present us with a fun way to state what was left unsaid in a certain poem.… Continue reading
EV 1734 (Hints)
Enigmatic Variations 1734 (Hints)
Dynamo by Ifor
Hints and tips by Phibs
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This week, I asked Gemini, “I am about to tackle a themed crossword puzzle from a setter called Ifor. Do I have good reason for trepidation?”
EV 1733 (Hints)
Enigmatic Variations 1733 (Hints)
All’s Well That Ends Well by Kruger
Hints and tips by Gabriel
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Submitting the preamble to Gemini proved useless: it was convinced that the theme was Shakespearean (a naive assumption due to the title).… Continue reading
EV 1732 (Hints)
Enigmatic Variations 1732 (Hints)
Protection by Check
Hints and tips by Phibs
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In July 2022, I stepped in for five weeks to give the Numpties an extremely well-deserved break. Little did I know that in February 2026 I would be doing my 100th EV blog…
EV 1731 (Hints)
Enigmatic Variations 1731 (Hints)
Columns by Chalicea
Hints and tips by Gabriel / Jpeg
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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.… Continue reading
EV 1730 (Hints)
Enigmatic Variations 1730 (Hints)
Popular by Skylark
Hints and tips by Phibs
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There was nothing in the title or preamble for the AI contingent to get their virtual teeth into, so I asked Claude, “Shelley wrote a poem ‘To a Skylark’; could you write a five-line verse along the same lines to a lady crossword setter called ‘Skylark’?”