Speed Puzzle Competition at Y-CON
We're excited to offer a new event at Y-CON 2024 - Individual, Pairs, and Teams speed puzzle competitions, catering to all types of puzzle enthusiasts. The entry fee is $2.50 per competitor paid at the event, and participants get to keep their puzzles at the end of the competition, adding a fun souvenir to their collection. Pairs and Teams will have to work together closely, as they'll be sharing a puzzle, adding a cooperative element to the challenge.
Proudly Sponsored by Gator Byte Computers & Entertainment
Individual Competition
- DATE: Sunday, June 2nd
- TIME: 10:00 AM - Noon
- Maximum 10 Competitors (Minimum age of 13)
- Players must assemble a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle in a time limit of 90 minutes.
- In the case of not finishing before the maximum time, the number of correctly placed pieces will be taken to make up the final results.
- Each participant can use up to 2 trays of cardboard, foam, or another type of material of a maximum size of an A3 sheet (11” X 17”) as an aid during the assembly of the puzzles.
- The tables are 220 cm in length, 75 cm in width, and 74 cm in height. Two(2) participants will be placed at each table, each getting ½ a table.
Pairs Competition
- DATE: Sunday, June 2nd
- TIME: Noon - 2:00 PM
- Maximum 10 Pairs (2 Individuals, any age as long as an Adult is included)
- Players must assemble a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle in a time limit of 90 minutes.
- In the case of not finishing before the maximum time, the number of correctly placed pieces will be taken to make up the final results.
- Each pair can use up to 2 trays of cardboard, foam, or another type of material of a maximum size of an A3 sheet (11” X 17”) as an aid during the assembly of the puzzles.
- Tables are 220 cm in length, 75 cm in width, and 74 cm in height. Two (2) pairs will be placed at each table, each getting ½ a table.
Teams Competition
- DATE: Sunday, June 2nd
- TIME: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Maximum 5 Teams (3 or 4 Individuals, any age as long as an Adult is included)
- Players must assemble a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle in a time limit of 100 minutes
- In the case of not finishing before the maximum time, the number of correctly placed pieces will be taken to make up the final results.
- Each team can provide up to 4 trays of cardboard, foam, or other material of a maximum size of A2 sheet (17” X 24”) as an aid during the puzzle assembly.
- The tables are 220 cm in length, 75 cm in width, and 74 cm in height. Each team will be placed at a full table.
General Competition Rules
- Participants must arrive 15 minutes before the start of each competition.
- Until the judge indicates the start of the test and the timer, the participants cannot manipulate, unseal, or open the jigsaw puzzle boxes on the table.
- To open the plastic that covers the puzzle box, only letter openers, keys, or other non-sharp objects. Nothing sharp like scissors or box cutters as that could be dangerous to handle during a speed competition.
- During the test, the judge(s) will monitor the progress of the assembly, to notice when a participant is close to finishing a puzzle. If no judge has noticed this situation, a competitor will raise their hand so that a judge can record the completion time of the puzzle. The judge, after deeming the setup correct, will note the time and will proceed to deliver it to the main judge’s table.
- Once the maximum time has elapsed and the participant has not managed to finish the puzzle, the judges will count the placed pieces of the unfinished puzzle, adding only the groups of 3 or more pieces correctly joined together.
- If pieces are missing at the end of the puzzle, 10 seconds for each lost piece will be added to the final time. If the final piece appears after 10 seconds of searching, the time of the penultimate piece plus the penalty will be taken into account. If there are 2 or more adjacent and missing pieces, no penalty will be applied as it is considered a manufacturing error.
- Only participants, judges, and authorized personnel are allowed to enter the competition area. As this occurs in a wider convention, no outside help will be allowed. Any outside help could result in a disqualification at the judge's discretion.
- If a judge's decision is to be contested by a competitor, the Head Judge will have the final say.
- Box top holders or supports are allowed to keep the box top upright and easily viewed while puzzling.
- It is not allowed to use risers or any object that changes the height or layout of the tables to provide additional table space.
- In pairs and individuals, it is not allowed to invade the area of the adjacent participant or hinder the construction and may be disqualified if a participant seriously hinders another participant.
- YCON may reassign the place of the participant(s) who have not taken their place or have not appeared after 10 minutes from the start of the test, not deriving any compensation or refund to the participant.
Puzzle Competition FAQs
No, each participant should bring their own ones, taking into account the maximum authorized size and number. Usage of the puzzle boxes is allowed, but not in addition to the allotted amount of trays.
Yes, although we recommend not using them at the beginning and end of the test to be attentive to the starting and ending announcements.
Yes, you can leave at any time, without anyone being able to take your place during your absence.
You can make the changes to the pairs or teams registered up to 20 minutes prior to the competition. No individual can be registered in multiple teams or pairs for each competition.
No. Each Pairs or team needs to declare each member 20 minutes prior to the competition. No member can be a part of multiple pairs or teams. No pairs can have more than 2 members or teams can have more than 4 members.
Yes. The competitions will be taking place on the convention show floor, requiring at least a Day pass to enter the convention for viewing of the competition.
Yes! There is no issue with recording your progress in the competition as long as the equipment is set up in your allotted space and is not a distraction to other competitors. There will be no power outlets available at the tables for this purpose.
If you are taking part in a Y-con event that is preventing you from arriving for the 15-minute call time. We recommend sending a proxy to appear for you and inform the check-in team. If you are unable to have a proxy speak to our volunteers we will help get you taken care of.
