Brain Teasers

Brain Teasers

Over the past five decades I have often searched for and completed puzzles of the written and put together kind.

The list of types of puzzles of interest:
Sudoku - fascinating that with nine numbers, there are MANY different ways they form a 81 space grid, with each row, column and nine x nine space squares that have no repeats.
Have just recently started enjoying the challenge with the first nine letters of the alphabet in similar configurations.
The use of the first nine roman numerals does make Sudoku even more challenging with the increased use of the ' I ' character.



Fill-ins - enjoy completing the puzzle with all words used and fitting into the puzzle.

Code Crackers - letter and number substitution intrigues me. I take my hat off to the compilers of these puzzlers - for finding the patterns that allow for all 26 letters to be used in the one puzzle.

Crosswords - often have one or two words that escape me.

Logic Puzzles - reassures me that I can deduce accurately.

Jigsaws - 500 / 1000 ones I can complete within a day or two. Any longer and life gets in the way.

A couple of years ago I put together a series of booklets to stimulate interest in these types of puzzles and found it interesting that there were many people who find these items too challenging.

Each week I buy a weekly magazine that has a selection of these types of puzzles and thankfully I can take these away on trips to complete. Call me 'old fashioned' but I prefer the paper and pen type of puzzle. I do have apps on my phone, ipad and computer for that type as well.

Card games also keep the brain thinking in strategic and ordered ways.
I prefer Solitaire - classic, Spider, Free Cell. Again, these games are played on my computer and ipad as well as by pack of playing cards.

Those puzzles that are part of competitions or timed do not hold my interest. I do them only for my own pleasure and challenge.