Like many puzzles, there’s a regular release of endorphins as you progress, and a lot of satisfaction in completing something. I enjoy puzzles just like reading a book or playing a game, it’s another world I can step into for a bit of an escape, but I like to think it’s decent mental exercise. Overall I vastly prefer cryptic crosswords where solving each clue genuinely brings a smile to my face, but that’s more of a commitment of time (and for me sometimes a guarantee of frustration). I also like doing puzzles in the newspaper because me and my kids can sit together and all contribute. Coffee, breakfast, sat in the sun with a newspaper and a good pencil[1], absolute bliss if you ask me.
As for solvers, it’s a very elegant, well-formed problem with a lot of different potential solutions, many of which involve useful general techniques. I used to dabble clumsily in chess engines and honestly it’s the only time I’ve ever ended up reading Knuth directly for various bit twiddling hacks, so it’s always educational.
As for solvers, it’s a very elegant, well-formed problem with a lot of different potential solutions, many of which involve useful general techniques. I used to dabble clumsily in chess engines and honestly it’s the only time I’ve ever ended up reading Knuth directly for various bit twiddling hacks, so it’s always educational.
1: https://musgravepencil.com/products/600-news-wood-cased-roun...