SPEED PUZZLING - COMPETITION FORMATS

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One puzzler, one puzzle, one goal: finish as fast as possible. Competitors work alone using only their own strategy, speed, and focus.

• Time – 2hrs heats / 1.5hrs finals
• Piece Count - 500

Two puzzlers work together on a single puzzle. Communication, teamwork, and shared strategy are key as the pair races other duos to complete the same puzzle.

• Time – 1.5hrs
• Piece Count – 500 (unless stated)

A team of four puzzlers competes together to complete one large puzzle. Team members may divide tasks—edges, sorting, colours, sections—to build the puzzle collaboratively and efficiently.

• Time – 2.5hrs
• Piece Count – 1000

A team of four puzzlers divides into two pairs and rotates between two puzzles every five minutes. Once one puzzle is completed, the pairs continue alternating on the remaining puzzle until it is finished.

• Time – 1.5hrs
• Piece Count – 2 x 500 pieces (or less – for example could be 500- and 300-piece puzzle).

The 2 pairs on a table race to complete the first puzzle, which is identical for all teams. The pair that finishes Puzzle #1 first earns the choice of the second puzzle, while the other pair receives the remaining option. 

• Time – 2 hrs
• Piece Count – 2 x 300 pieces

Pairs complete a 100-, 200-, and 500-piece puzzle in any order of their choosing.

• Time – 2 hrs
• Piece Count – typically 100,200,500

Puzzling meets chess-style timing.
Competitors share a common timer (like in chess):

• Your clock runs when you are puzzling.
• Your opponent’s clock runs when they are puzzling.
• Whoever has the most time remaining on their timer once the puzzle is complete, WINS. If your timer runs out before your opponent's timer, you LOSE
• You will need a chess timer app on your phone 

Players initially build the edge together and turn all the pieces face up; this is not timed. Players then alternate turns building the same puzzle, pieces must be attached to a piece already in the puzzle. You can only touch 1 piece at a time, you can try various pieces during your turn but only one at a time, you must not touch pieces during your opponents turn.  Check out this youtube video for a demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOrFOyAbHJM