How to Win even the toughest Sudoku challenges

This 'diabolical' game took me 3 hours to complete on a humid and hot Sunday afternoon in my house attic. The difficulty of the game ratings given by the Daily Telegraph depend on the day of the week each game in played. 

Monday is 'Gentle' or easy Beginner level. Tuesday and Wednesday is 'Moderate' for Intermediate, Thursdays are 'Tough', Friday and Sundays are 'Diabolical' meaning next to impossible or Gamer Advanced and Saturdays are 'Moderate'   

I've been a fan of the Japanese puzzle game for almost 10 years now, I believe.  Sudoku is the innocuous looking 9 square puzzle where there are numbers from 1 - 9. There is no number zero used in this game.

Rule of the Game 
The objective of this game is simple. In the 9 squares, the player must fill in each row and each column ONLY ONCE the number 1 to 9. There cannot be a repeat of the number on any row or column. In addition, each outlined box can only have the number 1 to 9 appearing only once ! 

                                                              Tricks and Tips

Unless you are very experienced and clever, I would advise to print out the game, and write the possibilities of that number coming out in the square - for the diabolical or very difficult levels.

a) Print Out the Puzzle

Write out all the possibilities inside the small square for easy recollection and deduction later in the game. 

b) Use the elimination level method to fill in the empty square. 

If for example the 2 9 x 9 squares have the same number which are above and below that of the empty square when extrapolated, then there is the high possibility that square will show up that number. (Its very hard to explain in writing).

c)   When a square within the box has the same 2 numbers, they are 'booked' meaning 

This means that within the 9 square box, these 2 squares can only have these 2 numbers, hence by logical deduction, the remaining 7 other numbers need to be filled either within the 9x9 square, the column or row   

e) Count each line and column to ensure there is only 1 number between 1 to 9  

This is the hardest thing for me to do. There are so many lines and columns (9+9 or 18), so it tries my focus thinking to the maximum and this is where I reap the greatest benefit, I can easily spend 1 - 3 hours (not continuously but with breaks in between) on a game, but normally most times I can finish the most difficult sudokus within 30 minutes PROVIDED

 

> my mind is clear and focussed

> I have had a good sleep the night before

> I have no other distractions  

d) Gwendolin's Thread 

Finally, when all else fails, when I have deduced and eliminated all the other possibilities and put in all the 'given' or confirmed numbers, I am left with a puzzle where there are about 10 - 20 possibles and the rest are 100% givens and filled in, I will do what Princess Gwendolin did, 'guess' (either a 50 /50)

and circle the possible number at the top corer of the square and try to finish it. There will be a 'thread' or a path where I can backtrack using the 'string' I had placed for myself especially if the path turns out to be wrong one. I do not want to be going in circles and coming to a dead end and encountering 2 number 9s along the same row or column. 

So,  if along the way, I find there are (for example) 2 number 8s along the same row or column, then I will need to backtrack to where I first made that guess. 

It is obviously the wrong route, so I will erase my error, and start back to the original point where I chose one number out of two (a 50 / 50). I will then proceed to take the other number and proceed on from there.  

Normally I will be able to finish the game this way.

So that's it folks 

Sudoku Game De Mystified !

Have Fun Playing ! You only challenge yourself on time and patience.

Becoming a Top Level Player is not difficult. 

2nd August 2020 Afternoon Musings

Its a warm and humid afternoon. We are well into the 2nd half of 2020, and this year on all fronts has been nothing short of a disaster, economically, socially and healthy wise. Singapore has registered 2 quarters of contractons and is in a recession, probably the worst since it was an independent country in 1965, 55 years. The USA, the world's largest economy is also experiencing the worst economic situation since the Great Depression 90 years ago. 

The COVID -19 which had started out as a 'bad 'flu' from Wuhan in early January has evolved into a global pandemic killing almost 500,000 and infecting 16 million people with many more expected to fall sick in the coming months and possibly years as countries race to find a vaccine and possibly handle this as best as they can.

Its so easy to blame countries for the start and then once it is released, the scenario gets so convoluted with each country taking tough steps such as lockdowns of cities, states and enforcing wearing of masks in all enclosed places such as shopping malls, supermarkets, and restaurants. 

The countries which supposedly controlled it well, China, New Zealand, S Korea, Hong Kong, Auatralia, Japan and Vietnam are experiencing second and third waves of the dreaded disease as people start moving back into the workforce, moving between states, and again cramping together in popular dining areas.

People are slow learners. So used to habits and the need for mingling, we inadvertedly revert back to our 'bad' old days of crowding for the sake of saving a few minutes (to take the next lift) or eat at the restaurant which is full to capacity after almost 3 months lockdown  - where everything was shut and only takeout was allowed. (Late March till 18 June) 

There is the usual talking after eating and drinking, merriment and exchanging of long grandfather stories.

The virus lurks in unknown places, in people who are asymptomatic carriers and those who have caught it, but decide to shrug if off and soldier on - a cardinal sin - all in the name of not wanting to 'lose out' or miss the long anticipated reunion of classmates, someone's birthday and a celebration.

The New Normal is upon us. We need to be mindful 100% about the risks when going anywhere. I sound neurotic but only the paranoid survive (as Andrew Grove of Intel so aptly puts it).

Currently in China, the country which the virus first originated, is facing massive flooding in the Yangtze basin. Its so sad to watch the millions of people along the basin (AnHui district for one) who have lost their livelihoods, their homes, their businesses and their community as the floods continue unabated for at least another few weeks.

Its impossible to comprehend their suffering and  sense of helplessness. 

2020 -  Will we see any happy end to the year ? A vaccine would be at least a hopeful sign and something for us to look forward to. 

  

5 Dec 2010 Marathon No. 5 Video

Marathon No. 5 after 10 years of training and body conditioning. The run seems like it was just yesterday and  I had all the 'tricks in my bag' with me. See previous post.

My ultimate goal now (2020) is to aim for 3 - 5 more full marathons before my body tells me 'enough'. Too many friends and family have gone, that Ceteros Parabos (all things being equal), there is no time like the present.

Carpe Diem. 

 

2010 Marathon ; Seasoned Marathoner's Bag of Tricks

The completion of another marathon brings immense satisfaction 

3 years later at the 2010 Marathon, I have slackened my training and my age had caught up with me, so at the ripe age of 48, I did my 5th marathon registering a time of 5 hours 59 minutes on a hot humid Sunday morning early December 2010. Nothing to write home and tell the folks about but I did it.  

I already had a running 'base' of stamina, I could easily do 10 km with little training, so there I was waking up at 3 : 30 am in the morning on race day, putting on my running belt, slotting my power gels by my side, put on my race vest, shorts, and 2 running bottles to carry along the marathon route. 

I had by that time become a 'seasoned' marathoner. My serious training to be a marathoner started in 2000, so I had by that time approximately 10 years of training, and had run 4 marathons after attempting my first full marathon in 2003 (Penang Malaysia Marathon). 

I had learnt tricks to conserve energy, I learnt the correct pronation techniques to be biomechanically efficient. I had also practised long runs and when would be the best time when I would pop in the power gels and that would give me a boost of up to 1 hour. I had the entire 'bag of tricks'  to bring and carry along with you during the race. Let me highlight each and every one of them below : 

The End is Near

a) Power Gels (can be bought at any GNC outlet) 

This is as advised a low GI (glycemix index) type of energy booster when you suck it, the gel would be absorbed quickly and the energy released in bursts. Flavors are many, ranging from vanilla, chocolate, lemon lime, orange and berry. 

I would slot them strategically around my waist and take one after every 10 km completed. I also make sure that I drink lots of water together with the gel as it is highly viscous and gooey. 

b)  Nathan water bottles - Hand Carry

I bring 2 along. These are about 200 ml and you can fill them up with electrolytic drinks and refill them at the appropriate drinks stations every 5km or 2 km at the later stages.

c) ASICs Kayanos - Best In Class Shoes

I started with many brands, Brooks, New Balance, and finally settled on ASICs which is a runners shoe. They have many shoes for various type of runners. As I am rather heavy set, I decided that I am a normal pronator (not an overpronator ie. flat footed or supinator ie. roll off to the right upon foot strike) so the shoe as recommended by Runners World was the Kayanos which is basically a stability shoe ; it gives the best cushioning for runners who are normal pronators and my footstrike is roughly on the ball of the foot. There are many types of footstrikes, there are those runners who land on their heel (ouch), some on the forefoot. 

Fortunately my running gait is normal, so I land on the centre of my feet.

I started buying 2 pairs per year and the shoe series is excellent for me. When I first bought it, the model was series 8 or 9, and now it is series 26.  

d) Pain Spray - Keep the cramps at bay 

This is a must have. Around the 30 km mark (it varies), the cramps will undoubtedly set in. Maybe, its due to insiufficient training, hence the body is not conditioned enough so its a crummy feeling having to hobble or stop in mid stride when the calves or even the hamstrings start acting up. I originally tried the muscle relaxant gels, but the pain spray is light to carry around the waist (hook it up on your belt) and whip it out when the cramps start to set in. It gives you a feeling of getting a new pair of legs !! Alas the feeling goes away after may 1 - 2 km but it is a must have.  

e) Hydration Belt 

I normally invest in a hydration belt with small openings (zipped up) to keep essentials such as money, an EZ Link card (for the ride back home on public transport), stuff like that. Nathan Research has various models, so check them out at Running Lab at Velocity (Novena). There are small slots for me to put my pain spray, power gels and the ubiquitous towel. 

f) Face Towel

It gets really hot for races which start at 6 am and for ordinary runners like me who finish after 5 hours are looking at 11.30 to noon, so its incredibly humid and sweaty reaching the end of the marathon. I bring along a towel and at the 30 km mark, bring out and rinse it with water to dry up the sticky sweat which at that time is all over my body. At least I feel comfortable running that last 10 to 12 kms.

g) Oakley Sunglasses  

This is for my sensitive eyes so Oakleys suit my face to a 'T'. They are lightweight, fit well to the top of my head and so cool to look for the photographers nearing the finish line ! 

So there you have it, Mark's bag of tricks to help you run better and finish looking cool ! 

 

   

Corneilia Street ; Cool New Song from Taylor Swift

This is my current 'go to' song to get me up and about in the mornings. Do enjoy.

Mask Up, Go to places and be a Responsible Citizen.  

PTSD Challenge ; Raising Awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Singapore. Day 19

Day 19 of my PTSD Challenge, to raise awareness of the neurological disorder which trauma victims suffer. The symptoms include :  

a) Depression

b) Mood Swings

c) Insomnia

d) Anxiety Attacks - can be very severe

e) Flashbacks.

If not treated early and rectified, the disorder can manifest and the sufferer MAY end up feeling worthless and in extreme cases, take his own life.

This video was taken on the street and as I am a 'night bird', after a long day's work, so I am glad I did my part in this continous fight against this deadly modern day afflction which can be managed and mitigated by phychology, good sleep hygiene and patterns, exercise and in extreme cases, medication.

  

2007 Nearing the Finish Line - The Good Old Days of Running sub 5 Hour Marathons.

2007 was the year of my 4th full marathon ; I had run my first in Penang Malaysia in 2003, and I had taken up this sport with full enthusiasm and gusto. I was a very enthusiastic runner, and subscribed to Runners World for a number of years to achieve the motivation of running. Runners World had plenty of articles to guide newbie runners like myself to eating correctly, gait analysis, shoe selection, training schedules and lead times, motivational quotes, tips from the pros and seasoned runners, best runs on this planet and so on and so forth.

I can say I am one of those crazy ones who gave up golf (at the tender age of 38) to take up running, when many people would take the opposite route ! They would run till about their mid 30s and then take up golf which is much more leisurely and a social game. I think I am a social person but up to a certain extent. 

By the time 2005 came, I was running easily 10 K most mornings with the exception of Sunday and 1 other weekday. I managed to stretch the runs to 14K on Saturdays and in the leadup to the marathons, say 1 month before the race, I would be running easily 20 K to 32 K on the Saturday morning, and this would be my tune up to the actual marathon. So, setting the alarm clock at say 5am to rise and aim to hit the road by 5.30 am was a very common routine for me.

In addition, for the longer runs, I would stash my Gatorades at certain places along my route and so on and so forth. I would be out each morning for 1 and a half hours before coming back to the house and then proceeding to wash up and get ready to leave for work by 8.45 to 9 am. 

Running to me is the essence of life. I believe my passion to run stems from genetics. My father was Indian Tamil, so that side of me somehow made me so fond of running. I am by no means a fast sprinter or even a middle distance guy, but come 5 K and beyond, I would say I could beat most recreational runners and can easily (in my prime) do 5 min per km for 5K to 10K distances. 

 

                                                  2 Dec 2007 Marathon Video 

During my pre-teen and teen years, I recall running from the bus stop at Victoria street some 1-2 km away and I would attempt to beat the lights and run non-stop from the bus stop through the old shop houses along Middle Road, up towards Sophia Road and then to Adis Road.

Somehow during the teen years, my Mum brought us to swim at the swimming club and hence my running was overlooked due to much more emphasis given to swimming as an extra-curricular activity in school and junior college. 

Don't ask me why, but I was and am still an avid runner. Of course, now 13 years older and perhaps 5 kg heavier, I do not run as much. Time has made me a young old man. So I still do the odd 10 K and 5Ks are perhaps done once or twice a week. Speed is no longer there, so I am happy to run at a pace below 7 min / km.   

Running buddies, I've had guys and the odd lady who accompanied me on my runs. My current running khaki (partner) is a Portuguese pal based in Singapore for a number of years. 

The day I stop running because of injury, or old age, I better think of another hobby as fulfilling as this one to keep me wanting to wake up in the morning with a smile and jump out of bed.