Either my brain has developed new powers or the clever person who composes the Sudoku in the Press has decided to be kinder to wannabe Carol Vordermans like me!

When these puzzles first appeared in the Press I found I could tackle the ones marked "easy" without too much difficulty. But then everything changed and I could never complete even one.

I noticed that I was not your only reader to experience the sudden toughening of the supposedly simple Sudokus.

This went on for months until two or three weeks ago, I was suddenly once more able to solve these puzzles. Tonight's one I completed in eight minutes flat! I would be interested to know if I really have become a Sudoku whiz or if the "easy" really does mean easy once again.

Heather Causnett,

Escrick Park Gardens,

Escrick,

York.

Updated: 10:03 Saturday, March 04, 2006