About the Federation
Uniting the global KenKen community through standards, fairness, and a shared love of intellectual sport.
Our Mission
To promote the global love of mathematics, learning and logic
KenKen inspires minds of all ages with puzzles that challenge, educate, entertain, and develop self-confidence and life skills.
The International KenKen Federation (IKKF) is the official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the growth and integrity of KenKen worldwide. We support players, teachers, students, and puzzle creators across the globe, building:
- Personal development and growth
- Math and logic skills
- Problem solving ability
- Creativity and self-confidence
Our Story
From a classroom to a world stage
KenKen was born in a Yokohama classroom in 2004, created by a math teacher who wanted students to build arithmetic fluency through the joy of logic. The puzzle spread quickly, first through schools, then into publications and competitions around the world.
As KenKen grew from a classroom exercise into an international phenomenon, the need for a unified governing body became clear. Independent tournaments were using different rules, rating systems varied from country to country, and there was no central authority to sanction events or maintain official rankings.
The KenKen Federation was established to fill that gap, providing the structure, standards, and legitimacy that a global intellectual sport demands. It is chaired by Robert Fuhrer, who brought KenKen to the United States and launched the International Championship in 2010.
What We Govern
Official rules and competition formats
Championships and results
National chapters and affiliates
Ethics, anti-cheating, and appeals
Governance Structure
The Federation is led by its Chairman, with a council made up of its national chapter partners, who ratify the rulebook.
Brought KenKen from Japan to the United States and founded the International Championship in 2010.
The Yokohama mathematics teacher who drew the first KenKen grid for his students in 2004.
Chapter council