ORTEC at The Dutch Puzzle and Sudoku Championship 2023
April 15, 2023 - Zoetermeer - Today, the Dutch Puzzle and Sudoku Championship took place at the headquarters of ORTEC in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands. After a challenging qualification round, the event welcomed the best 41 puzzle enthusiasts competing for the title of Dutch 2023 champion in Sudoku and logical puzzles. For both, the championship title was prolonged and renewed by previous winners.
About the championship
The Dutch Puzzle and Sudoku Championship is a popular gathering for (Dutch) puzzle enthusiasts. The event combines two separate championships: one for Sudoku, and one for logical puzzles. With our passion for mathematics, we enjoy solving (complex) puzzles. That’s why we are excited to collaborate closely with the Dutch Puzzle Association (WCPN) to organize the championship every year. Since 2017, the live championship is held annually at ORTEC’s headquarters. Before that, it was a digital championship for years.
The best of the best
The image above shows two of the actual practice puzzles to prepare for the 2023 qualifications
Prior to the championship, online qualifications took place. We were excited to have 173 puzzle enthusiasts from 32 different countries participating. Among some of them were world champions. After qualifying, the best Dutch players were invited to the finals on April 15..
The actual championship took place on the 15th of April at ORTEC’s headquarters in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands. We’ve welcomed 41 qualified players to solve handmade Sudoku’s and logical puzzles, each taking 2.5 hours. In addition to classic Sudoku’s, there were many other versions too, as well as for the logical puzzles. All puzzles are made by hand by the best puzzlers worldwide.
And the winner is…
There were two participant pools: participants from the Dutch Puzzle Association WCPN, and players from ORTEC. Everyone was judged on both speed and accuracy. At the end of the day, the winners from both categories were announced by Gerrit Timmer, co-founder and Chief Science Officer at ORTEC. Congratulations to the overall winners, and winners within the ORTEC pool:
- → Annick Weyzig for winning first place with the puzzles. Winning first place gives the championship title back to Annick after missing the event last year
- → Dennis Keetman for winning first place in Sudoku. By winning again this year, Dennis has prolonged the title
- → Luuk Weerens for winning first place with the puzzles in the ORTEC pool, winning 14th place overall
- → Rianda Jenema for winning first place with Sudoku in the ORTEC pool, winning 10th place overall
See you next year?
Are you into puzzles, too? Everyone can join the online qualifications! Whether you are an experienced puzzle solver or just looking for a fun challenge, we are happy to welcome you next year. Will you be the next Dutch champion?