About Sudoku

• What is Sudoku?
• The puzzle comes in an incomplete 9x9 grid. You must deduce the correct placement of each number from 1-9 in each row, column and 3x3 box until all boxes are filled to make a valid Sudoku grid.
• How is Sudoku played?
• Please see How do I play Sudoku on STOMP?
• What are the rules of the Sudoku?
• Every row, column and 3x3 grid of the puzzle must contain all of the numbers 1-9 exactly once. Any existing numbers in the puzzle cannot be changed or moved. There should only be one solution to each puzzle. Please see Rules and Regulations for competition details.
• Is there more than one answer to a puzzle?
• We have rigorously tested our puzzles to ensure that there is only one right answer to each puzzle. If you do find more than one answer, please let us know at a1help@sph.com.sg we will like to reward you for being sharp.
• Do I need to be a mathematical genius to solve Sudoku?
• No, Sudoku does not require any knowledge of mathematics. Logic and reasoning skills are your basic tools for solving Sudoku.
• On average, how long would I take to complete one puzzle?
• The first 1000 contestants to correctly complete their puzzle in the shortest time will proceed to the Semi-Finals on 28 June 2008.

BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge Asia Pacific 2008 FAQs

• What is BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge Asia Pacific 2008?
• BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge Asia Pacific 2008 is a Sudoku competition organized by BRAND’S® to find Asia Pacific’s best Sudoku player. It consists of two components, the BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Singapore Open, and BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Asia Pacific Open.

  2008 is the second year that the BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge Singapore Open will be held. It is a nation wide Sudoku competition. It is Singapore’s largest Sudoku Challenge based on prize purse and reach, and with its Preliminaries held on online portal STOMP, it is Asia’s first Sudoku competition to be hosted online. Only Singaporean citizens and PR residents can take part in this competition. For more information, please click over to BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Singapore Open FAQs.

  BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Asia Pacific Open is a Sudoku competition organized by BRAND’S® for Sudoku players from around the Asia Pacific Region. This segment is open to Asia Pacific players who have placed in the top three spots of national level Sudoku competitions or have been nominated by their country’s Sudoku association as the country’s representative. The format is similar to the finals of the BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge Singapore Open. For more information and entry requirements please click over to BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge Asia 2008 Pacific Open.

• I’d like to play but I don’t live in Singapore.
• You are most welcome to try your hand at this simple and fun puzzle at the Trial Site. If you’re looking to compete, reside in the Asia Pacific region and meet the requirements of entry, you’re eligible to compete in the BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Asia Pacific Open. Please contact customercare@cerebos.com.sg for enquiries on how to participate or refer to BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Asia Pacific Open FAQs for more information.
  
  

  Only Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are eligible to participate in the BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Singapore Open. If you are a Singaporean residing overseas, please note that you will need to be physically present at the Semi-Finals and Finals events in Singapore to qualify. Please see BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Asia Pacific Open FAQs for more information.

• Do I need to pay to play?
• There is no registration fee if you are entering the BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Singapore Open. All you need is the special Registration Code found inside the packaging of any participating BRAND’S® product to take part.

  For the BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge Asia Pacific Open, there is a registration fee of $10 and you will need to meet the entry requirements in order to participate.

• How many times can I attempt to solve a puzzle?
• You can play as often as you like, but each Registration Code will only allow you 6 attempts. Each time you register with your NRIC and the special Registration Code found on the packaging of participating BRAND’S® Products, you will be randomly assigned a new puzzle.

BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Singapore Open FAQs

• What BRAND’S® products should I purchase to be eligible to participate in BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Singapore?
• Participating BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 promotional packs that bear the label BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008:
  

BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken 6s  + Free BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken 1s
BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken with Cordyceps 6s + Free BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken 1s
BRAND’S® Iron + Vitamin B Complex with Essence of Chicken 90s + Free BRAND’S Essence of Chicken 1s
BRAND’S® Gingko Biloba with Essence of Chicken 45s + Free BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken 1s

• Where do I find the 8-Digit code on the BRAND'S® participating products?
• The 8-Digit Code is printed on a white sticker that can be found on either the top or bottom cover of the colourful promotional box.



• What are the stages of the BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008?
• Following the close of the Preliminaries on STOMP on May 25 2008, 1000 of the fastest semifinalists will be selected and they will be contacted via handphone or e-mail. The Semi Finals will be held on June 28 2008 where contestants will have to solve medium-level puzzles. 100 of the fastest contestants will then be shortlisted to proceed to the Finals, held on July 12 2008. These finalists should be prepared to tackle variants of the Sudoku puzzles as well as the classics at BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Singapore Finals at hard to expert levels.
• What are the prizes for BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Singapore Open?
• The champion of the BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Singapore Open will receive $8,000 cash plus a BRAND’S® hamper, a trophy and a certificate. The 1st and 2nd runner-ups will receive $4,000 and $2,000 cash each respectively plus BRAND’S® Hampers, trophies and certificate. All semifinalists will receive BRAND’S® goodie bags worth $60 each. All finalists will receive BRAND’S® $100 cash each.
• How do I win the BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Singapore Open?
• Accuracy and Speed are the two keys to winning the BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008. You have to be both sharp and fast, as you will only progress onto the next round of competition based on how you rank against the other contestants. Only the top ranking contestants will proceed to the next round of the Challenge.
• When and how will I find out that I’ve qualified for the Semi-Finals?
• BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Singapore Open Preliminaries close on May 25 2008 at 2359Hrs. Participants who qualify for the Semi Finals will be contacted via email and followed by a notification letter within 3 weeks after May 25, 2008. You will also be informed of the venue of the Semi Finals then.
• How is fairness ensured?
• Each puzzle in the BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 has been rigorously tested to ensure that each contestant receives a puzzle or set of puzzles that requires the same level of logic and skills to solve as those of another contestant. This way, the playing field is leveled.


• Where and when will the BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Singapore Open be held?
• The BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Singapore Open Semi Finals will be held on June 28 2008 at the Singapore Management University Conference Hall. The fastest 100 contestants will move on to participate in the Finals on July 12 2008. (Further details will be released closer to the date of the event)

Technical Issues for BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Singapore Open

• How do I register to participate in the preliminaries of the BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Singapore Open?
• Click here to fill in your particulars and the unique 8-digit code found on BRAND’S® participating products.
• Is there a time limit to complete the puzzle?
• You have one hour to finish the puzzle. Once 60 minutes are up, your entry will automatically be submitted.
• I give up! I want to try another puzzle. How can I get out of this?
• Just close the webpage. But remember, if you’ll like to try competing again, you can only use your Registration Code, found on the participating BRAND’S® products, six times.
• How is my timing registered?
• Once a puzzle is generated, the clock starts. The clock will only stop when the puzzle is completed correctly and submitted. Each time the competition window is closed, you are automatically logged out of the system, regardless of whether you have completed the puzzle or not. Timings of unsubmitted entries or entries with incomplete puzzles will be automatically disqualified. The maximum time of play is 1 hour.
• Oh no! My computer crashed/something cropped up/I have to go to the toilet. Can I ‘pause’ the game or come back to the same puzzle I was working on?
• Once a puzzle is generated, the clock starts. The clock will only stop when the puzzle is completed correctly and submitted. You have a maximum time limit of 1 hour to finish a puzzle unless the competition window is closed. Each time the competition window is closed, you are automatically logged out of the system, regardless of whether you have completed the puzzle or not. Timings of unsubmitted entries or entries with incomplete puzzles will be automatically disqualified. You are most welcome to log on again with a new Registration Code, and a new puzzle will be randomly generated. As this is a competition where timing counts, we highly suggest that a reliable computer and Internet connection are used, and that you set aside sufficient time to fully concentrate on the puzzles.
• Can I use a computer program to solve the online puzzle?
• Any participant found cheating will be disqualified from the competition. Please see Rules of the Competition.
• Hey! The puzzle is invalid / has more than one solution!
• We’ve put our puzzles through rigorous testing. If you do find an alternate answer, please let us know at a1help@sph.com.sg we will like to reward you for being sharp.
• Can I print out the puzzle and then punch in the correct answers online after I’ve solved it?
• That can be done. Do note that once a puzzle is generated, the clock will start. The clock will only stop when the puzzle is completed correctly and submitted. You will not be able to pause the clock or come back to the same puzzle should you close the competition window.

BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Asia Pacific Open FAQs

• What are the prizes for BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Asia Pacific Open?
• The BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Asia Pacific Open Champion will receive $10,000 in cash, the 2nd prize winner walks away with $5,000 in cash, while the 3rd prize winner wins $2,500 in cash. All top 3 winners will receive a $300 BRAND’S® Hamper, a trophy and a certificate. All contestants will receive BRAND’S® goodie bags worth $60 each. Contestants who place 4th and 5th will receive from BRAND’S® $100 cash each.
• How do I enter the BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Asia Pacific Open?
• To enter the BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Asia Pacific Open, you will need to apply for eligibility. You will also need to submit documentation that substantiates you have met these basic eligibility requirements:
1. Placed in the Top 3 in a national Sudoku competition of your country or be nominated by a national Sudoku or puzzle association to represent your country
2. Have recognised expert ability to solve Sudoku puzzles
3. A small registration fee of SG$10 applies to challengers who have qualified for BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Asia Pacific Open. This fee will only be collected after eligibility has been confirmed.


Complete this form and return it to enquiries@imsg.sg, or fax it to +65 6479 3633, with the subject header “ATTN: BSC08 Asia Pac Player App.”

Alternatively you can mail the entry to the following address:

3 Jalan Kuning
Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278149
Republic of Singapore

All applications must be received by May 25, 2008. The Organising Committee will review all applications and eligibility given on a rolling basis. All decisions made by the BSC08 Organising Committee are final. You will have to be physically present in Singapore for the Finals held at VivoCity on July 12 2008. You will be asked to present a photo ID at the event as proof of identity.

• When and where will the BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Asia Pacific Open be held?
• BRAND’S® Sudoku Challenge 2008 Asia Pacific Open will be held on July 12 2008. Further details will be released closer to the date of the event.
  
  

BRAND’S® “Put More In, Get More Out” Lucky Draw

• What is the BRAND’S® “Put More In, Get More Out” Lucky Draw?
• BRAND’S® “Put More In, Get More Out” Lucky Draw gives anyone who purchases a BRAND’S® Asia Pacific Sudoku Challenge 2008 promotional pack an added chance to win up to $10,000 in cash and prizes. Simply send in 3 bottle caps of BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken or BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken with Cordyceps, or BRAND’S® peel-off seal of BRAND’S® Iron + Vitamin B Complex with Essence of Chicken or BRAND’S® Gingko Biloba with Essence of Chicken, PLUS a cut out of the special Registration Code found in every promotional pack to take part in the lucky draw. Entries close on June 15, 2008. Details can be found here.
  

Other Questions

• I’m hooked. Where can I find more puzzles?
• There are many sources of Sudoku puzzles on the Internet and at your local bookshop. There are even computer programs that can generate puzzles for you!
• What are the benefits of playing Sudoku?
• Playing Sudoku provides a mental workout that helps to keep the brain processes active. It is thought that such mental stimulation is able to prevent the onset of Alzheimers’ Disease.
• On average, how long would a puzzle take to complete?
• That depends on how sharp you are. We suggest that you set aside at least 30 minutes to complete the puzzles.