U.S. Sudoku National Championship Scheduled for October 19 and 20, 2007 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The first-ever U.S. Sudoku National Championship is scheduled for October 19 and 20, 2007, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sudoku fans, from novice to advanced, are invited to attend to test their puzzle-solving abilities against other enthusiasts. The grand prize is a place on the U.S. National Sudoku Team, an all expenses paid trip to the 2008 World Sudoku Championship in India, and $10,000. Other cash prizes, ranging from $100 to $5,000, will be up for grabs. The contest is hosted by Will Shortz, puzzle-master extraordinaire, and sponsored by the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper.

Who Can Compete?

The National Championship is open to Sudoku fans ages 10 and up. All skills levels are welcome. Three levels of contests will be available: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper, the prime sponsor of the championship, has sample competition puzzles posted on their website (www.philly.com) to help determine skill level.

What Prizes Will Be Awarded?

The grand prize winner in the Advanced category receives a spot on the U.S. National Sudoku Team, an all-expenses paid trip to India to compete in the World Sudoku Championship, and $10,000. The Intermediate winner is awarded $5,000, with the Beginner champion given $3,000. Additional $100 cash prizes will be awarded to other contest winners in several other categories.

What Events Are Scheduled?

The weekend's events start with a Welcome Reception and Warm-Up Puzzle gathering on Friday, October 19th at the Philadelphia Academy of the Fine Arts. The competition begins at 11am on Saturday, October 20th at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. Following the competition and awards ceremony, a Championship Dinner will be held at the convention center.

How Much Does It Cost to Compete or Attend?