Slightly obscure/hardcore question, but hopefully enough clues here to get the answer.
Once upon a time there was a challenge. (1) was the target. (2) was the first attempt. (3) was the runner up but (4) eventually won.
Details of the challenge, please!



Cracked by username, Rogi, Gurupad, Aditya, Inglourious, shenoyvarun86, googboog, Dibyo, madhur, varuns88, krudebox, shrik, byslexia, AmK, sidsen, udupendra, Thejas V R, Raghuvansh, Bipin Banavalikar, Logik, Aparna, malcaluffin, BASAB, sandesh, Chinmaya U.Holla and Shwetha Maiya