Philly makes a bid to be sudoku central
Already known for the cheesesteak and the Liberty Bell, Philadelphia soon could be a center of worldwide attention for the popular game sudoku.
Already known for the cheesesteak and the Liberty Bell, Philadelphia soon could be a center of worldwide attention for the popular game sudoku.
Yesterday, the Inquirer announced the city's bid to host the 2010 World Sudoku Championship.
On hand at a news conference inside the white tower that the newspaper shares with the Daily News at Broad and Callowhill streets were Mayor Nutter; Brian Tierney, chief executive officer of Philadelphia Media Holdings, and New York Times crossword editor Will Shortz. The Inquirer also revealed details about the second annual Philadelphia Inquirer Sudoku National Championship. It's set for Oct. 25 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Six participants from last year's championship competed in an ad hoc sudoku challenge at the news conference. Jon-athan Kustina, 14, of Huntingdon Valley, was yesterday's winner, finishing his puzzle in 1 minute 46 seconds.
Although Nutter does not play Sudoku, he told the Daily News that he has an "appreciation for the game."
"I'm quite well-aware of it, and I encourage people to play it too," he said, after signing sudoku books for the day's competitors. "It's a wonderful game and very mind-expanding."
This year's championship will give away more than $20,000 in cash prizes. Interested participants can register at philly. com/ sudoku.
- Nicole Norfleet
