Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?  (Actually, the phrase dates back to Tudor England, and is variously attributed to John Heywood or John Fitzherbert. Ed.)  When it comes to Sudoku, this old dog shows distinct signs of improvement through practice.  Where, in the past, I would be surprised if I completed the Metro’s ‘hard’ or ‘challenging’ Sudoku during my commute into work, now I am annoyed if I don’t.  So, to what do I attribute my improved success rate?  Well, experience cannot be dismissed but, principally, I think it may be down to a change of attitude.

I now approach each Sudoku like a contest; a personal duel between myself and pure logic; a battle, which I know will be fought fairly; strict Queensberry Rules, with no low blows or ear-biting.

Evoking stratagems from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, I hunt for my opponent’s weaknesses; search out rows of three numbers completed, or areas where my opponent’s defensive line does not seem so secure; jot in the margin my plans and possible ideas for future offensives.  Sometimes, I am required to vary my tactics; redirect my attack; retreat and regroup if necessary.

Unlike most military commanders, though, I am in the fortunate position of knowing that victory is mine for the taking if only I can find the correct strategy.  Conversely, defeat is the more crushing because I know that, other than through my own shortcomings, it could have been avoided.  There is no chance of glorious failure like at Thermopylae; there is only failure.  Logic is nothing if not a fair adversary.

But, unlike other military commanders, whatever the outcome, I live to fight another day.  And so, although, this morning, I might have tasted bitter defeat at the hands of the Metro, I am already anticipating sweet victory against the Evening Standard on my journey home this evening.

© Simon Turner-Tree

Simon Turner-Tree fights all his wars with a pencil.  Or runs away.

You might like to check out Simon’s books This Pedestrian Life and Watching Life Pass Me By. Although most people don’t.