Google launches Da Vinci Code Quest

18 April 2006 16:25 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Consider yourself a puzzler? Well Google has launched what it is calling the ultimate puzzle with Sony Pictures in conjunction with the film The Da Vinci Code staring Tom Hanks.

Called the Da Vinci Code Quest the search engine has created 12,358 original puzzles for people to solve.

The puzzles, which are accessed via Google's personalised homepage, will be released over the next 24 days, in the form of six different challenges at four difficulty levels.

Columbia Pictures worked with Wei-Hwa Huang, a four-time World Puzzle Champion and Google software engineer.

"As a puzzle enthusiast myself, I wanted to bring a unique 'Da Vinci-esque theme' to some new twists on classic puzzles", said Wei-Hwa Huang. "Players of all ages will have fun tackling these brain teasers as they compete for the grand prize."

The first 10,000 eligible challengers who complete all 24 puzzles correctly by Thursday, May 11th, 2006 will be contacted to participate in the final challenge where one prize winner will win over $128,000 of booty including a trip to Paris for four people and a stanck of Sony products including a computer, TV, Network Walkman, digital camera and satnav system.

Unfortunately the prizes aren't available to clever Britons.