Submitting solutions to The Enigma
Many of our members enjoy sending in their solution lists to be scored, with the results published. You may also send in a “kudos list” of your favorites (puzzles, whether or not you solved them; articles; or anything else in the issue). Of course, you’re not obliged to send either.
Submit solutions in plain text or in a document with copyable text by starting each answer on a new line, in numerical order; do not cram form solutions together the way they appear in The Enigma.
- Write the full number (e.g., E‑3 for extras, not just 3) before each solution.
- Spell out all parts of phonetic flats: e.g., for a phonetic word deletion, send “chrysanthemum; anthem, chrism,” not just “chrysanthemum.”
- Give forms in their right shape, not just as a string of words.
- In general, submit cryptic solutions as a grid, accompanied by whatever else the instructions indicate should be submitted.
- Give cryptogram solutions in full.
- If a puzzle contains another puzzle (e.g., if a rebus contains a form in its rubric), send the solutions for both puzzles.
These things are not necessary for credit: rebus readings, part-words for acrostical enigmas, model words for false flats, and the full words represented in vowelless forms. However, you are encouraged to include them, since they may help the Solutions Editor decide on the validity of alternate answers.
Include a list of the noms of all contributing members, or names for members without noms. To send kudos for your favorites of the issue, provide a list of the numbers of puzzles and names of any other features at the end of your solution list, separately for each member for team submissions. You can single out one puzzle as your top favorite of the issue by adding a ! (a “bang” in League jargon) after the number in your kudos list, e.g., Nom: 1, 3, 17!, 41, C‑7, E‑2, F‑11.
The deadline for solution lists is printed in each issue at the start of the Penetralia section, but generally solution lists are accepted the month after the issue publication month (e.g., for the February issues, send solution lists between March 1 and March 31). Send your solution list to the Solutions Editor, or by postal mail to Joseph DeVincentis, 12 Saunders St., Salem MA 01970.