Sudoku (First Appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle)

Sudoku puzzles have ruined my life.  They have robbed me of my leisure, my creativity, and my peace of mind.  The worst part is that I’m not very good at them.

Months ago when I first zeroed in on the Sudoku puzzle on the back page of the Datebook, I glanced at it and quickly decided I didn’t have time for such nonsense.  I had enough with Cryptoquips and crossword puzzles, let alone paying the bills and doing my housework.  When I learned that several people I admire were doing them as part of their daily routine, I realized there might be pleasure involved. 

As time went on and against my better judgment, I tried a few columns of Sudoku but with little success.  I might have done better if the squares were much larger and didn’t get all smeary as I erased.  I pushed the paper to one side, but I noticed that my eyes lingered on those little boxes, as my brain struggled with a whole new concept.

I understood the general premise that one must use numbers one through nine, usually non-consecutively, in every row across, in every row down, and in each of the nine blocks of nine squares.  The problem was that if it worked one way, it probably wouldn’t work the other, or in the little blocks.  It all seemed too complicated to bother with, so I went back to my beloved Cryptos.

One day a few weeks ago I was in a bookstore and saw a display of books on Sudoku.  I browsed through one on the top of the pile and opened to the chapter that said, “How to Begin.”  In those few minutes I learned two important things:  Always start with a block that has the most numbers already inscribed and NEVER GUESS.  That was my big breakthrough.  Until then I was throwing in any number I thought might work.  Someone told me that as a neophyte I should begin with one star puzzles that appear in the early part of the week and gradually try the harder ones. 

Unfortunately, I had two perfect days, and that did it.  I was hooked.  I soon discovered that I was still a long way from knowing how to do it.  I have not repeated my earlier coups and have wasted too many hours trying.

First I try juggling numbers in each block, then in each row across, and finally in each row down.  On the first round I may only find one or two numbers that fit, then I start the whole procedure again.  It’s gotten to be such a challenge that should I wake in the middle of the night, I flip on the bedside lamp, put on my glasses, and work another hour.

The biggest drawback is that the alteration to my daily routine has encroached on other facets of my life.  It has smothered my creativity by filling that time with play.  I would also like to read more, but how can I when those tempting little squares are calling?  I try to justify continuing because of vital medical messages in newspapers and magazines in which we are told the importance of mind-challenging games and puzzles to hold dementia at bay.  Every time I question the validity of such time wasters, I remember that I may be doing myself a favor by imbibing in them. 

I could probably cut down on my Sudoku time by learning the correct techniques or by consulting my genius friends.  As the very least, I may break down and go back to the store to buy a how-to book.