As the Masters tournament breaks off again at Ally Pally, it’s that time of year when I make another futile attempt to Rend Asunder the Bonds of Daoist ritual, the Iron curtain, and Bach by extolling the magic of Ronnie O’Sullivan, the Mozart of snooker. Like Mozart, he has his own tag in the sidebar: here’s a cue [sic].

The most essential viewing is his 147 maximum break from 1997—5’20” of sheer genius.

Further posts include

• A tribute to his UK victory in 2017

Watching Ronnie in full flow, with his effortless grace and instinctive intelligence, is the most exhilarating experience.

HIs 2023 appearance on Desert island discs (here) is full of typical introspection.

On a lighter note,

• a spoof snooker commentary, with a bonus of PDQ Bach
• The first snooker commentary.

If you’re feeling really broad-minded, try the sport tag too. You’ll even find Daoist football there.

Trust me, I’m a doctor. To adapt Hašek,

the first fifty readers to view these posts will receive as a gift a free pocket aquarium.