Competition rules

Each competition starts only on the organizer’s cue. Until then, competitors must not handle or open competition materials.

Before the competition starts, plastic wrapping and other outer packaging that would hinder a simultaneous start will be removed from all competition puzzles.

Competitors must follow the instructions of referees and organizers. Disputed situations are decided by the head referee or a person appointed by the organizer.

A competition puzzle is considered finished at the moment the competitor or team raises a hand to call a referee. From that moment they must not touch that puzzle until the referee has checked it.

The referee checks the finished puzzle and records the relevant time or confirmation of completion in the competition system. The competitor confirms the recorded time; later objections to the recorded time will not be considered.

If one or more pieces are missing when a puzzle is finished, a penalty of 10 seconds per missing piece is added to the recorded time.

If nobody finishes the competition puzzle or the whole competition within the time limit, ranking is determined in descending order by the number of correctly assembled pieces. Only correctly connected groups of at least 3 pieces count, unless the rules of the specific competition state otherwise.

In a shared space, competitors must not interfere with another competitor’s work area or another part of a team, unless the rules of the specific competition expressly allow it.

Only competitors in the current competition, referees, organizers and other authorized staff may enter the competition zone.

Spectators may watch only from areas designated by the organizer and must not advise competitors or otherwise influence the competition.

A competitor may leave their seat or the competition area during the competition. The clock does not stop during their absence.

Puzzles received in the competition remain the property of the competitor after the event, or of the team members according to their mutual agreement.

People of all nationalities may take part in the competition.

There is no age limit. Persons under 16 may participate only when accompanied by an adult.

If registration is cancelled, the entry fee is refunded only if cancellation is made no later than 15 days before the competition day.

The organizer may change or supplement the rules. The current rules will always be published before the competition starts.

2.1 Competition format

• Maximum capacity is 80 people.

• Entry fee is CZK 400 per person.

• The competition is in the individuals category.

• Each competitor assembles one 500-piece puzzle.

• Competitors do not know the final puzzle motif before or during the competition.

• At the start, each competitor receives only an opaque bag containing the puzzle pieces. The original box showing the motif is handed over only after that competitor’s run has ended.

• The time limit is 90 minutes.

2.2 Preparation and allowed aids

• The bag with the puzzle must remain closed until the official start. Handling the bag or its contents before the start is not allowed.

• On the start cue, the competitor may open the bag, empty the pieces onto their work area and begin assembling.

• Competitors may use their own piece sorters, at most 4 per person. Maximum size of one sorter is A4.

• Sorters must be empty before the start and must remain within the competitor’s assigned work area at all times.

• Aids that provide a motif template or help identify the motif are not allowed.

2.3 Motif secrecy

• Competitors assemble without a reference image. Searching for the puzzle motif by phone, internet or any other means during the competition is not allowed.

• Competitors must not receive information about the motif or help from another person during the competition.

2.4 Finishing and ranking

• After the referee confirms the result, the competitor may leave the competition area. When leaving, they must proceed quietly and not disturb other competitors.

• Competitors who finish within 90 minutes are ranked by final time including any penalties.

• If a competitor does not finish within the time limit, the number of correctly assembled pieces decides. Only connected groups of at least 3 pieces count.

• If two or more competitors have the same counted piece total, the relevant places are shared.

• The top 5 competitors will be awarded.

3.1 Competition format

• Maximum capacity is 20 teams.

• Entry fee is CZK 3,200 per team (CZK 800 per person).

• The competition is for teams of four.

• Each competitor registers individually. Team composition is determined randomly by the organizer.

• The competition runs without interruption and its parts follow one another immediately.

• The maximum time limit for the whole competition is 5 hours.

• During the competition each team assembles a total of 7×500-piece puzzles and 1×1000-piece puzzle.

• All competition puzzles are wrapped before handover so competitors do not know the motif in advance.

• A team may use its own piece sorters, at most 4 pieces of maximum size A4.

3.2 Part 1: four individuals

• At the start, each of the four team members has their own 500-piece puzzle in front of them. Everyone starts at the same time on the organizer’s cue.

• Every 8 minutes a sound signal is given. After the signal, all actively assembling team members move clockwise to the next unfinished puzzle and continue where the previous competitor left off.

• The competition clock does not stop during the move. After the signal, competitors must stop handling the current puzzle and move to the next station.

• When a competitor finishes a puzzle, they raise a hand and call a referee. After raising their hand they must not touch the puzzle.

• A team member who has finished a puzzle no longer assembles actively in part 1. They may advise other team members verbally but must not touch pieces or puzzles.

• After one or more puzzles are finished, the remaining active members continue rotating at eight-minute intervals only among unfinished puzzles.

• Part 1 ends when all four 500-piece puzzles have been finished and checked.

3.3 Part 2: two pairs

• After part 1, the team of four splits into two pairs. Pair composition is chosen by the team members themselves.

• Each pair receives one 500-piece puzzle and both pairs start assembling at the same time.

• During this part, pair composition must not change and competitors do not move between the two puzzles.

• Members of one pair may advise the other pair verbally but must not touch that pair’s puzzle or pieces.

• When a pair finishes its puzzle, it raises a hand and calls a referee. The pair that finishes earlier must not physically work on the other puzzle, but may advise the other pair verbally.

• Part 2 ends when both 500-piece puzzles have been finished and checked.

3.4 Part 3: whole team

• After both puzzles from part 2 are finished, the whole team receives one new 500-piece puzzle.

• All four members assemble it together.

• When finished, the team raises a hand and calls a referee. After the check they continue immediately to the final part.

3.5 Final part

• The team receives one 1000-piece puzzle.

• All four team members assemble it together.

• When finished, the team raises a hand and calls a referee. The referee checks the puzzle and records the team’s final time.

• Final time is counted from the shared competition start until the last 1000-piece puzzle is finished.

3.6 Time limit and ranking

• Teams that finish all competition puzzles within 5 hours are ranked by final time including any penalties.

• After 5 hours, assembling stops. For teams that do not finish, the total number of correctly assembled pieces from the competition puzzles decides.

• When counting assembled pieces on an unfinished puzzle, only correctly connected groups of at least 3 pieces count.

• If two or more teams have the same counted piece total, the relevant places are shared.

• The top 5 teams will be awarded.

3.7 Handling finished puzzles

• After a finished puzzle is checked by the referee, the team must disassemble it and put it back into the original box before starting the next puzzle.

• The team may open and start the next competition puzzle only after the previous finished puzzle has been fully packed into its box.

• Disassembling and packing a finished puzzle is part of competition time; the clock does not stop during this activity.