Sudoku star comes second in national final

10:44am Friday 28th September 2007

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IT ALL added up for Congleton Sudoku specialist Dmitri Whitmore when he finished runner-up in The Times Newspaper's under-12 national championships.

The pint-sized mathematics prodigy, a pupil at the Junior Division at Kings School in Macclesfield, was one of thousands of entries to the intellectual teaser.

He qualified for the final in London as the youngest entrant in the competition.

Dmitri, who is said by Junior Division principal Geoff Shaw to be one of the best young mathematicians he has taught, said he owed his talent to his mum Olga.

"About two years ago my mum showed me how to do a Sudoku puzzle," he said.

"I was very slow at first, but after a few tries I got quicker and quicker.

The third annual Times Sudoku challenge saw the best 18 under-12 children in the country compete to complete three Sudoku puzzles against the clock.

Dmitri said: "I could see out of the corner of my eye another boy finish about a minute before me, so I had a feeling I had not won.

"However, I am delighted to have come second, and won a £100 book token.

"I would like to have another go next year, when I hope to go one better.

"At least the boy who won won't be competing because he will be too old by then, but I'll just be 10."