Chocolate Éclairs,
We’re pleased to announce two contests for May.   In addition to the May Algorithm Challenge (May 1st – May 11th), we will also be holding our first ever CodeChef Gamer’s Challenge (May 15th – June 15th).

May Algorithm Challenge (May 1st – May 11th):

The rules will be the same as the March and April contests except the length of the contest has been reduced to ten days (May 1st 15:00 to May 11th 15:00).  Prizes will include: a Phillips Home Theater system, an 22″ LG LCD monitor and an iPod Touch.

May Gamer’s Challenge (May 15th – June 15th):

We feel there are a lot of good programmers out there who don’t necessarily have the interest to compete in algorithm competitions.  We’ve decided to try and hold a few different types of contests in the coming months.  For the Gamer’s Challenge, teams of up to 3 people will be allowed to submit client-side browser games written in the language of your choice (Javascript, Flash/Flex). The game can be any type you can come up with, the only rule is that it has to involve The Chef as the main character.   Some PSD’s and JPG’s of The Chef can be downloaded here.  Examples of ideas for games you can create:

• Helping The Chef retrieve the Golden Spoon from Spaghetti Monsters
• Helping the Chef squash bugs in the Kitchen

For some nice examples of how you can use javascript to develop browser games check out Mario and Mario Kart.

What are the prizes?

We’re still figuring it out but it’ll be something gamers enjoy (think graphics cards, big monitors, handheld and console games).  We’ll keep you updated.

How will the winners be determined?

Starting May 15th, you will be able to upload your game on the contest landing page.  You can submit as many entries as you want, and update your program as many times as you’d like.  On June 15th the contest will be closed for new submissions.  On June 20th, winners will be announced.  All source code to games submitted as part of this contest will be made available to the public for download.

A CodeChef panel will be reviewing submissions and determining the winner.  We don’t care how pretty your game is (though it can’t hurt to make it look good), we’re just looking for the game that’s most fun to play.

How can I submit my code?

You will upload a zip file containing:

• An HTML page containing the necessary markup to play your game at 600×480 px
• All original and compiled code (JS, SWF, FLA)
• A screenshot of your game at 600×480
• A description of the name of your game as well as any instructions on how to play it (this can be in a text file or part of the HTML page)

Please note that all the resources/files referred to by the game should be relative to your home directory.

Any feedback?  Let us know at feedback@codechef.com.

Cheers,
The Chef

… Oh yeah, in case you were wondering, we will still hold an algorithm contest in June.

Apricot Fritters,

Our April Challenge has officially ended and we are thrilled by the response we’ve received.

We have a 4-way tie for 1st place:

• Harpreet Singh – IIT Guwahati
• Ajay Somani – IIIT Hyderabad
• Anshuman Singh – IIIT Hyderabad
• Prunthaban K – Google, India

And in the 5th place we have

• Varun Jalan – D. J. Sanghvi

Congratulations to all our winners! Your prizes will be delivered shortly.

We hope you all enjoyed participating in this contest. Please send us any feedback by commenting below or sending us an e-mail at feedback@codechef.com

The next contest begins on the 1st of May. Till then, keep practicing : )

Cheers,
The Chef

You can download all the test cases that were used in the problems in the April-09 contest. All problems have input and output cases except BX.

Click here to download the zip file.

Cupcakes,
You’ve asked for it, we’ve done it. A big complaint people have had was the time limits were too strict for programming languages that didn’t start with a C. There are now variable time limits depending on the programming language you have used to submit your solution. The current time limits are as follows (as a multiplier to the time limit listed on the problem page):

• Java – 2X
• Python – 3X
• Ruby – 3X
• PHP – 3X
• Lisp clisp – 3X
• Lisp sbcl – 3X
• Scala – 1X
• C# – 2X
• All other languages – 1X

We will continue to tweak the exact multipliers  and will let you know if there are any other modifications.  Solutions will not be rejudged, you will be required to submit new solutions to see if your program now satisfies the time limit conditions.

Cheers,

The Chef