Tiit Vunk became the Estonian Sudoku champion for the fifth time

Hello, Yesterday, Tiit Vunk became the Estonian champion for the fifth time at the Estonian Sudoku Championship held in Paide for the tenth time. “Tiit Vunk’s overwhelming victory was expected, as he is still a world-class solver. He has both the World Championship title and the silver medal from last year in his pocket,” said the organizer of the competition, Kuma Crosswords editor-in-chief Jaanus Laidna. Since this was the tenth competition, changes were also made to the competition organization. It usually consisted of three parts – multiple-choice solving, sprint and final. However, this time the ten best solvers from the first two rounds made it to the final. “We solved the final very excitingly this time,” explained Laidna. “The finalists were given four tasks to solve within a time limit. Before starting each next sudoku, the judge checked the solution. If the solution was correct, the contestant moved on to the next task board. The two slowest contestants were eliminated with each new task until the last four solvers remained. Whoever finished first was the winner. This method gives all finalists a new chance, but it can also turn everything upside down. For example, this happened to Margit Ool, who started in second place, but ended the final in tenth place.” According to Laidna, such a final round has often been used in world championships. “It is very exciting for the spectators, because the winner and the entire ranking are revealed in a tense struggle before their eyes.” The second place in the championship was former multiple winner Ain Salula, and third place was Ragnar Kruberg, with Villem Mesila in fourth. The best in the senior classification was Jaan Sepp. A total of 41 solvers from all over Estonia participated in the competitions. Laidna added that the level of competitors in Estonia continues to be good. “It is a pleasure to see quite new players participating, who can also reach the final,” she said. The top four of the competition will be invited to participate in the World Sudoku Championship, which will take place in Sofia, Bulgaria in the fall. Results (Full tables will appear here after they have been published on kuma.ee) 1. Tiit Vunk 2. Ain Salula 3. Ragnar Kruberg 4. Villem Mesila 5. Marek Kolk 6. Regina Vunk 7. Art-Mihkel Tedrema 8. Karin Luiv 9. Jaan Laks 10. Margit Ool Seniors: 1. Jaan Sepp 2. Alar Heinaste 3. Urmas Raude The championship was organized by AS Kuma in cooperation with the Estonian Memory Game Association, Conceptis Puzzles Ltd and the World Puzzle Federation. News on TV3: http://www.seitsmesed.ee/meelelahutus/uudis/2015/03/07/eesti-parim-kulutas-sudoku-lahendamisele-vaid-mone-minuti/ Best, Vint.ee Team

Also a link to the kuma.ee page (there is also a complete ranking): http://www.kuma.ee/sudoku-emv-2015-2/