The Philadelphia Inquirer Sudoku National Championship Announced

October 19-21, 2007

Ready, set, solve. The Philadelphia Inquirer will launch The Philadelphia Inquirer Sudoku National Championship at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on October 19-21, 2007. The championship will be hosted by world-renowned puzzle master Will Shortz and will be open to a national and international field of contestants. The Championship will have three levels of solvers -- beginner, intermediate and advanced, and will include a weekend of fun for sudoku enthusiasts.

The Inquirer championship in Philadelphia marks the first US national sudoku contest of its kind with the winner earning a spot on the U.S. Sudoku Team.

"It's been a dream of mine for two years to conduct a national sudoku championship," said renowned puzzle master Will Shortz. "It is exciting to watch the dream become a reality and also see sudoku find its place in everyday American culture."

In addition to a spot on the U.S. World Sudoku Team, the advanced level winner will receive $10,000 plus expenses paid for travel and accommodations to the World Sudoku Championship in India. The intermediate winner will be awarded $5,000 and the beginner level winner will receive $3,000. There will also be trophies and $100 prizes awarded to players in a variety of categories such as age, area of residence and years of sudoku experience. The competition is open to people from under 10 years of age to over 80.

"This is going to be a great event not only for sudoku solvers, but also for the city of Philadelphia," said Mayor John F. Street. "I know that Philadelphia will establish itself as the sudoku capitol of the United States."

To register for the championship or for more information about the weekend's activities please visit http://www.philly.com/sudoku.