Czech champ lines up to defend world sudoku title

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2007

PRAGUE (AFP) — You probably don't know Czech accountant Jana Tylova unless you are a dedicated sudoku player, in which case she's no doubt your hero.

The quiet, 32-year-old from a small industrial town in the country's north will line up to defend her sudoku world title starting Thursday, when the second annual global contest to determine who's best at the brain-twisting number game kicks off in the Czech capital.

"The competition is going to be tougher than last year," the self-confessed sudoku addict said with a timid smile. In Italy in March 2006, Tylova beat 87 rivals from 22 countries to take her, and the world's, first sudoku crown.

This year, contestants from 32 countries will be trying over three consecutive days to dethrone Tylova in the game with a...