Instructions for events

- The goal of the competition is to assemble a 500-piece puzzle as quickly as possible within the time specified in advance (e.g. 1,5 hours or 2 hours).

- Opening the puzzle box and the bag containing the puzzle is part of the performance, i.e. the puzzle may only be removed from its protective bag after the competition has started. Sharp tools may not be used to open the bag. If the box is sealed with tape, these have been opened beforehand. In remote competitions, scissors may be used to open the wrapping covering the puzzle.

- If the puzzle box is sealed for any reason, the competitor must indicate this by raising their hand or sending a message in the chat. The time taken to open the box will be deducted from the completion time.

- No pictures or diagrams other than those found in the puzzle box may be used as assembly aids. If the puzzle box contains a full-size picture of the puzzle, this may not be used as a base for assembly, only as a model picture.

- The competitor/pair may use two sorting mats, up to A3 size, to help assemble the puzzle.

- The competitor may use a stand to hold the puzzle box in the appropriate position.

- Competitors may not change the height or position of the table during live competitions, or use additional lighting. Magnifying glasses are permitted.

- Competitors must not disturb other competitors. Headphones may be used as long as they do not disturb other competitors.

- The judges will monitor the competitors' performance. If the judge has not noticed that the puzzle is being completed, the competitor must indicate this by raising their hand.

- The performance is complete when the competitor has indicated that they are finished by saying "DONE". In remote competitions, this is done via message in the chat.

- Once the puzzle is completed, the judge verifies the correct assembly and records the competitor's time. After the judge records the time, the competitor returns the time card to the head judge themselves.

- For each missing piece, 5 seconds are added to the assembly time. It should be noted that the clock runs until the competitor has announced that he is ready. Pieces found after this point are not counted.

- If more than one connected piece is missing, this is considered a manufacturing defect and no penalty will be given.

- If the puzzle is not completed within the given time, the connected pieces will be counted, and this will determine the competitor/pair's placement. The calculation takes into account the continuous units of at least 3 pieces. The competitor must collect the loose pieces into stacks of 10 pieces to speed up the calculation.

- Competitors will be judged based on the time taken to complete the puzzle. Timing is accurate to the nearest second.

- Do not open the competition puzzle wrapper until you receive permission in Google Meet – we will open the puzzles together two minutes before the start.

- You will receive more detailed instructions and a registration link by email a few days before the start of the competition.

- If you have ordered mystery puzzles for others or are participating in a pair competition, please forward the instruction email to the other participants as well. Everyone must register separately for each event.

- We use Google Meet for video calling. It works in all web browsers, and you don't need to install or register for the app. All you need to do is allow Google Meet to use your camera and microphone. When joining, use the same name you registered with for the competition. If you can't choose a name, open your browser in incognito mode and then you can choose a name yourself. However, if you can't change the name, join the meeting and let us know by commenting in the chat.

- Our remote competitions are NOT streamed, but they are recorded for results review. Recordings will be deleted after results are posted.

- The start time of the competition is the start time of the event, please join the lines 10-15 minutes before. We will first go over the rules together, and we will unwrap the puzzles before the countdown. We will also announce the end of the competition and finally we will go over the results together. Otherwise, the competition will be kept quiet.

- Point the camera towards the puzzle assembly area so that your hands, all pieces, and the assembly surface are visible at all times. Keep your microphone muted.

- When you have completed the puzzle, type "DONE" in the chat. This will serve as your timestamp. You can type "done" in the chat before the competition, then you only need to press enter when you are done.

- The time limit for remote competitions is 2 hours. If the puzzle is not completed within that time, we will count the remaining pieces to determine the ranking.

- Please note that the results will be closely monitored during the competition. All results will be published on our website within a few days.

You can find answers to frequently asked questions on the FAQ page.