Intel Code Breaker Challenge coming to IDF 2009

For the past six years, Intel has taken to the task of crowning the Ultimate Geek at the Intel Developer Forum. The Ultimate Geek contests have challenged people to put together computers, square off against professional gamers and compete in trivia games.

Six Ultimate Geeks are out there somewhere with bragging rights to say that they beat the best of the of the smartest people in the Tech Industry to take the Ulitmate Geek crown.

But, honestly, as we started planning for 2009 we wanted something. . . well, to put it mildly, harder. We want to see who has the biggest brain, with the most computational power and the ability to handle the toughest mental exercise. So for 2009 we have an all new challenge for the IDF attendees.

Introducing the Intel(R) Code Breaker Challenge at IDF 2009

Did you see right through National Treasure and The DaVinci Code? Did Angels and Demons seem so obvious that you wanted to cry as the characters “uncracked” the mysteries of Rome. “Ha!” you might have said with a shrug, “give me something that challenges me!”

We’ve got a challenge for you.

The Intel Code Breaker Challenge at IDF 2009 will require you to solve two encrypted puzzles with very little help. You’ll get one clue for each. That’s it. We might give you a couple more in forums like this one later if you’re stuck. Solve the puzzles and then come to the Technology Showcase on IDF Day one or two and you can take the final timed electronic challenge. The winner of the title is the person that cracks the puzzles and has the lowest time on the electronic challenge.

Still think this sounds easy? Well, the first puzzle took about 200 hundred years to solve and the second puzzle was created by guys that work in our security encryption lab and (as far as I know) are not allowed to come out very often.

If you win, we will celebrate your accomplishment by announcing you as the winner on Day three of IDF — oh and there are some cool prizes too like Netbooks and MIDs that you’ll like. (But please note: prizes may only be won by residents of the United States of America.)

These are tough puzzles that will really require some smarts to break. Want to try to crack these codes? We dare you.

The challenge starts at IDF 2009 by coming the Intel Code Breaker Challenge desk in the main lobby of Moscone West on floor 1 to pick up your game sheet.

See you at IDF 2009.

Joe English

IDF Creative Director (& author of puzzle #1) .

* other brands and names are the property of their respective owners.