A modern conundrum

Is this the crossword for the digital generation? Su Doku requires no familiarity with the classics and no facility for anagrams. It does not require encyclopaedic general knowledge or even the ability to read. All it takes is the ability to identify the numerals 1-9, a sense for logic and a methodical cast of mind. And a large measure of application, to boot.

Is this the crossword for the digital generation? Su Doku requires no familiarity with the classics and no facility for anagrams. It does not require encyclopaedic general knowledge or even the ability to read. All it takes is the ability to identify the numerals 1-9, a sense for logic and a methodical cast of mind. And a large measure of application, to boot.

Like the crossword, completing a Su Doku puzzle is highly satisfying: it is a self-contained task well done. Like the crossword, too, it allows for self-improvement. You can get better and quicker, if you put your mind to it. And there is no predicting who will excel: you can be a disaster at maths and a whiz at Su Doku.

It is surely cheering that in this age of high-speed graphics and fiendishly complicated electronic games, a simple black and white grid scattered with numerals keeps so many devotees so harmlessly occupied with nothing more elaborate needed than pen and paper.

From today, addicts among Independent readers will have a new challenge: Super Su Doku - more boxes, more numerals and letters, too. Good luck - but now you need to know your alphabet, too.