Official Rules

Eligibility:

The Philadelphia Inquirer 2009 Sudoku National Championship (the "Championship") is open to all ages. Due to liability restrictions, no one under the age of 18 will be permitted to participate in the Championship without providing Philadelphia Newspapers, LLC ("PN") with an executed copy of its form of consent of a parent or guardian. In addition, a parent or guardian of entrants under the age of 18 must remain on the premises at all times during which the minor child is participating in the Championship. There will be NO exceptions. Foreign Sudoku enthusiasts are welcome to compete in the championship. If they were to win, they get the $10,000 grand prize, but couldn't represent the U.S. at the World Sudoku Championship. That honor would have to go to the highest-placing American. The Beginner and Intermediate champions must advance to the next level the following year. A winner of the Beginner final must play in Intermediate the following year and the Intermediate round winner must play in the Advanced round. Late arrivals may be refused the opportunity to compete, if the judges determine that seating a late arriving entrant would disrupt the Tournament, in whole or in part. All contest materials are the property of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Tournament is a game of skill, and not a game of chance. Your odds of winning depend upon your skillfulness solving the Sudoku puzzles presented during the Tournament and the skills of other entrants.

Publicity:

By entering, you allow PN to use your name, city, state, likeness and/or voice for purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity without additional compensation as well as the right to use your name and address for mailing-list purposes. Winner(s) will be required to sign a statement of eligibility, and may also be required to sign a liability release, as a condition to prize delivery. Winner's names may be published in The Philadelphia Inquirer and on philly.com.

Limitation of Liability:

Each Entrant, or if a minor, their parents or legal guardians, agrees that neither The Philadelphia Inquirer or Philadelphia Newspapers, LLC nor their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents (collectively, "Releasees") are liable for any and all claims for injury, loss, liability or damage of any kind resulting directly or indirectly from participation in the Tournament, from admittance to the Tournament venue or from acceptance, possession, use or misuse of any prize that may be awarded. Releasees are not responsible for technical, computer, mechanical, printing, typographical, human or other errors relating to or in connection with the Championship, including, without limitation errors which may occur in the administration of the Championship. Entrants agree that the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will govern any and all disputes. Taxes are solely the responsibility of the winner(s). Employees of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Newspapers, LLC and their respective affiliates and their immediate family members are not eligible. Decisions of the judges regarding contest entries and winners are final and binding. Void where prohibited by law.

Registration Changes / Cancellation Policy:

Once you register for the event you are not permitted to make changes to your registration selections. A Sudoku level selection guide can be found under the FAQ section. If you decide to cancel your registration, you will receive a refund minus a processing fee, up until 10 days prior to the event. Thereafter, participants will not be refunded for cancellations.