1607- 'Life is a "Su Doku"! Or "keep Alzheimer’s away"

Hemantha Kalam - 26
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During the past few years I have been observing my sister (a blogger herself) settling silently in a secluded place at home and go through the newspaper with a pencil. Curious, I checked with her when she said that she was working on ‘Su Doku’. I did not realise then, but on experience I found that this seclusion is the first step of comparison of life with ‘Su Doku’.

As a person who always felt that no game should demand any exertion on the mind, I wondered what thrill she derived, but left her to her own designs.

Now during the past year or so, when I had much time on hand and I had started really ‘reading’ the newspapers, to kill time, I started attempting to work on the ‘Su Doku’ and solve, though it could tax my mind which, in normal times, I never relished.

One incentive, I felt, would be that working on such ‘puzzling matters’ could help me keep my mind in shape and probably keep Alzheimer’s away. Funny though, but some intuition always tells me that I would indeed be a victim of Alzheimer’s in the days to come. By writing this here I am sure that I am paving not a path but a highway to be ridiculed, but I do guess that I am entitled to my own superstitions and beliefs until disproved!

Initially, even the easiest ‘Su Doku’ used to make me sweat it out, but over a period I got a grip on the game and gained the confidence of tackling it. Today anything less than ‘hard’ level of difficulty, does not really hold my interest anymore!

Now, what is ‘Su Doku’?

I am sure that I am wasting space and lines and precious time, as most of the people would already know, but let me explain as quickly as I can, about ‘Su Doku’.

‘Su Doku’ is a puzzle game. Though the present day’s ‘Su Doku’ certainly is from Japan, the real game is believed to have originated from China, around 1000 BC. The name ‘Su Doku’ by which the game is now popular is indeed a Japanese abbreviation apparently means Single number (Su = Number, Doku = Single) and the full name is Sūji wa dokushin ni kagiru roughly meaning, "the digits must occur only once" or "limited to single figures." (http://martyneville.hubpages.com/hub/sudoku-origin-and-history) It was only in the year 1986, that the abbreviation ‘Su Doku’ took birth. Some believe that ‘Su Doku’ originated from Switzerland and travelled to Japan via America. (http://www.sudokudragon.com/sudokuhistory.htm)

While ‘Su Doku’ also is presented in different patterns like,-

Samurai ‘Su Doku’
Double Samurai
Triple Samurai
WeiHwa ‘Su Doku’
Five Squares ‘Su Doku’
Six Triangles ‘Su Doku’

the standard ‘Su Doku’ pattern is symmetrical.

Playing ‘Su Doku’ is a paradox.

In a standard and symmetrical game of ‘Su Doku’, a square / box comprising of nine inner squares / boxes, which in turn will have nine squares / boxes in each will have some digits and the balance digits need to be guessed right and placed.

The numbers from 1 to 9 should be arranged in each row and in each box without using the same number again either in the line or in the inner box. Thankfully only vertical or horizontal lines should be in a row and not diagonal rows. The system is simple, but solving is challenging and the quantum increases by the level you choose to play.

Solved ‘Su Doku’ - is attached for reference.
(Courtesy: http://logicalgenetics.com/assorted/sudoku/sudoku-depthfirst2.png)

All games need planning, for sure, but ‘Su Doku’ cannot be worked at all, without a combination of patience, planning, guessing, eliminating, strategising and ensuring zero error. If a single error occurs , the whole puzzle takes a toss and no marks to be awarded, unless the total puzzle is completed.

We should start by;
1) taking a look at the resources (digits) available
2) beginning with what we know to be sure
3) introspecting
4) correcting if we are using a pencil and an eraser
5) eliminating possibilities
6) filling in steadily
7) taking more time if and when needed and
8) continuing to be positive all the time and not to despair

Now let us see what the playing rules of ‘Su Doku’ and that of ‘life’ are!

(1)One person has to play at a time – in seclusion and with calm mind (Su Doku)
A person has to lead his own life with a calm disposition. (Life)

(2)Frame of a large square (Su Doku)
Frame of Time (Life)

(3)Existence of some resources like inner structures and some digits to guide (Su Doku)
Existence of some resources like parents, siblings, teachers and friends to guide (Life)

(4)You don’t have answers for all. You need to find the solution by calculating and guessing and using the resources (Su Doku)
You don’t have answers for all. You need to find the solution by calculating and guessing and using the resources (Life)

(5)You know the missing numbers but to place them appropriately is the issue (Su Doku)
You know resources and priorities but really structuring the priorities is the issue
(Life)

(6)You cannot create a conflict by placing the same number in a row or in a box (Su Doku)
You need to be unique yet without antagonising – be it in your own family or in society (Life)

(7)Law of elimination helps solving the game better (Su Doku)
Life can be better by eliminating un wanted qualities and connections (Life)

(8)Levels of difficulties and achievement
Levels of difficulties and achievements
Resources may be few in high level of difficulty but it is not impossible to solve. You steadily build up the needed digits (Su Doku)
Resources may be few but you can augment and grow steadily by working with singular goal and focusing in the right direction (Life)

(9)While working, you put digit after digit without really thinking of the final success picture (Su Doku)
In life too we grow step by step working towards the ultimate and wholesome success (Life)

(10)People who use pencils and erasers (sudoku)
are moderates and willing to correct(life)

(11)People who use pens and permanent markers (sudoku)
are pre-conceived, rigid and not willing to change without paying a price(life)

(12)The fun is in working towards achievement and once achieved fun is lost (Su Doku)
The fun is to live a full life and once lived, interest lost (Life)

(13)The full puzzle needs to be solved and no marks for part fulfillment (Su Doku)
Life has to be lived in full and no marks if exiting unfulfilled or insignificantly (Life)

(14)Depending on the choice you make you can choose the difficulty level of the game in the range as Random / Very Easy / Easy / Medium / Hard / Very Hard / Super Hard / Evil / Extreme. As can be expected, resources would be more for easy level of difficulty and scarcer as the level of difficulty escalates. (Su Doku)
Similarly, in life too, it is we who need to discover as to what level of difficulty we are in and try to solve patiently and with a calm disposition to grow and end up a winner. (Life)

Isn't it? Well, what do you think? You tell me!
(http://hemantha kalam.blogspot.in/2014/08/hemantha-kalam-26-life-is-su-doku.html?m=1)
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