Philadelphia, PA

October 19th through 21st, the Philadelphia Inquirer is hosting the first U.S. Sudoku championship at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia. 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.

Event Schedule
Friday, October 19, 2007 • 7 p.m to 9 p.m.
The Philadelphia Inquirer Sudoku National Championship’s Welcome Reception will take place in one of Philadelphia’s newest landmark attractions, the Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Come enjoy spectacular artwork and delicious food while mingling with Will Shortz and other Sudoku players from around the country.

Saturday, October 20, 2007 • 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
*9 a.m. Registration
*11 a.m. Rounds 1 and 2
*12:30 p.m. Break for Lunch
*1:30 p.m. Round 3
*2:30 p.m. Bonus Round
*3 p.m. Finals
*3:30 p.m. Awards Presentation

Saturday, October 20, 2007 • 4:30 p.m to 6:30 p.m.
Post Championship Meal. This informal meal will be a casual event that will give participants an opportunity to get to know one another and recap about the excitement of the Championship.

Prizes
Advanced Winner Prize: $10,000 plus a spot on the U.S. National Sudoku Team. Winner will compete in the 2008 World Sudoku Championship in India. Travel and accommodations to and from the World Sudoku Championship will also be paid for as part of the advanced level prize.
Intermediate Winner Prize: Winner will receive $5,000.
Beginner Winner Prize: Winner will receive $3,000.
Category Winners: Several awards will be presented to winners in a variety of categories. These winners will receive $100.

Sudoku Championships, Will Shortz