guys as much as we may have problem with that rule let us understand that no one at LMI would think of putting in such a stipulation. Organising is a thankless job where ppl will always have a problem. think of this as a cost of getting a sponsor for the team. its Unfortunately either this or no sponsor. I am not saying I agree with this as this does not ensure the strongest team. I am sure Deb and Amit fought this stipulation as much as they couldand accepted it only when it was inevitable.

can anyone tell me the type of sudokus and time alloted to solve them in each round?

As Rishi said, I'm sure Deb and Amit fought this. That much should be obvious simply because there has never been such a stipulation in the many other events LMI has organized. So, at least within this forum, the only thing we can do is suggest better ideas within the bracket of what ToI is wanting to do. The reasons for this stipulation could be one of or both of two things -

1) ToI wants some fresh solvers in the team each time to go experience the WSC/WPC. I for one have no problem with this goal. My desire to improve and become a regular in the Indian team definitely escalated after the experience of Hungary 2011. So, in the long term, getting new people in is really a good idea.

2) ToI wants to "punish" those who have "let them down" with their performance. As a company investing in the players, putting aside all other logic, I can see why they think that way. Obviously they aren't as experienced in the competition scenario as we are and care more about their investment, and there's nothing essentially wrong with that.

If its just 1), there should be no problem in future years in just allowing everyone to participate in the TSC but being selective about which 4 to sponsor. I think that's a much more acceptable solution. But if its 2) as well, or its just that they want to convey 2) to the general public, then Rajesh's point stands that they should've notified the participants of the WSC last year itself about this, just to be in good practice more than anything else.

Also, I'll wait for confirmation but I suppose this restriction is only for each year's WSC participants, and Sumit, Gaurav and Rakesh can participate next year?

From my understanding the restriction is not on participation but on sponsorship. this msg has not been properly conveyed.

>>Any participant who has participated earlier in the World Sudoku Championship and has got a rank above 25 will not be eligible to participate.
A hare-brained rule, IMHO. It ensures that we are not sending the best 4. Hopefully, the rule gets tossed out next year.

>>Participants can participate in only one of the four regional rounds.
>>Participants are not allowed to take the test more than once.
These are changes for the better, if implemented properly.

>>Every participant will have 15 mins to solve the puzzle.
I am guessing this is for the qualification round?

Edited by lenson 2013-07-15 10:37 AM

Hey Guys. We will wait for Deb and Amit clarify on this and other rules of Times Sudoku Championship 2013 because I guess the word earlier refers not only WSC 2012 but also earlier.

yes :)

hey m totally new in this...
its my first time..in times sudoku...
m from delhi...
i'll have my delhi round on 21st.....
may i know the procedure...
time limit and stuff... :)

Hi. Please check the following link.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sudoku.cms

If you are from Delhi, sms TOISUDD [Name] [Age] to 58888

thnx a tonne...by the way its mentioned...that we require to complete the puzzle within 15 minutes...are there any pre-requisites...or any condition that if someone completes before....he/she gets some bonus points....
or anything you'd like to brief me up with... :)
thanks alot

From last year's experience, it just means that the participants completing the round qualify for the next round. There's no reason to consider bonuses as everyone who completes this round goes through to the next one (again, according to last year). Either way, don't worry about format and bonus and all too much (I did last year and got knocked out because of that ). There'll be detailed explanations about the format and all at the event anyway, so just practice a little, enjoy the experience, and maybe follow up here to participate in future online contests and build on your solving level and interest.

dont mind if i ask you...how're the finalists selected then...

and the difficulty level...is it as easy as delhi times...or regional times newsppr...or somewhat difficult...........more that is like the one displayed on http://prasannaseshadri.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/frame.png?

Edited by ashu 2013-07-15 11:18 PM

Well, that's the second round (its why there's an instruction to stay around in case you're called back). The second round, last year, was actually the format that LMI Beginners' Sudoku Contests is based on. The first one back in July (see links on the right) had the exact same variants too.

Obviously this is all just unofficial information based on my experience last year. Its all a bit unclear for now this year, but the 15 minute round makes me think it'll be pretty similar. Either way, like I said, the format will mostly be announced in detail at the event.

I don't think the preliminaries will have something like that at least. As I said, the Beginners' Contests are a more accurate description of round 2.

okay...so we can say k ...its gonna be a bit similar to what comes in any...."easy"category sudoku...?
and.......umm
so there's no time limit thingy...we hv like 15 minutes...for one sudoku puzzle...thats it.....?

You mean on my blog? My blog's easy category would probably be equivalent to one of the higher pointers in round 2 The best practice you can possibly get in this short time span is to go and solve Beginners' Sudoku Contest July. If you do that, you'll be well equipped for last year's 2nd round standards.

Either the instructions are misleading here or they've changed the format from last year. Last year, we had 8 6x6 Sudokus to finish in the 15 minutes. I know 8's a lot more than 1, but 6x6s are pretty easy so if its the same it should be pretty finishable.

hahahahahaha....okay okay...... :D hoping for the best :))
nice talking to you.. :))
thanx a tonne..

achha haan...
umm...the classic ones or the variants tooo :P

The variants too. Thats why I pointed specifically to the July edition. Same variants as last year.

Is this competition is only for metro living people. Why there is no on line round.

This year (like last year), it is happening in four metros only. If you want to participate you will need to travel to one of these cities on the given dates, as there is no online round this time.

All the Best for the participants for this weekend's rounds in Chennai and Delhi. :)

Do we have any info. about the types of sudoku for the regional rounds.

A great Congrats chennai round winners..

1. Rishi Puri
2. Ezhilarasi
3. Kishore kumar
3. Jaipal Reddy

Congrats to the 4 :) Hopefully I make it in Mumbai and finally get to meet and compete against Rishi in person. Also, good show by Kishore to out-score Jaipal. Congrats to the person at 2nd, not sure if its a newcomer or some member here who I'm forgetting. Either way, finishing ahead of Kishore and Jaipal is quite good.