Competition Procedure

• Competitors must arrive at the venue fifteen minutes before the division’s scheduled start time.
• Puzzle bags / boxes are not to be touched or opened by competitors until instructed at the start of the official timer.
• Only competitors and authorised event personnel (Judges, photographers, videographers) are permitted to enter the competition area.
• Participants may use only the following implements; all other belongings must be stored under their competition table (including drinks – liquids and puzzles aren’t friends):
  • Up to two trays of maximum size A3 for divisions using a 500-piece puzzle.
  • A Puzzle Box holder / stand.
  • A tripod or mounting clip attached to a phone or camera for recording the competitor’s puzzling. This must not impede event personnel in carrying out their duties.
  • Headphones.
  • A personal timer.
• If table numbers are used for an event, competitors must sit at the designated table.
• For the UK Nationals 2025, all are welcome to compete, to place first, second or third you must be a resident of the United Kingdom, its Overseas Dependencies and Territories, or a resident of the Republic of Ireland. The achievements of others will be acknowledged.
  • For pairs, one member of the pair must meet the residency requirement.

Competitive Rules

• Any pieces dropped on the ground will be left in the position they fall in. Judges will place a coloured post-it note underneath for visibility.
• Plastic wrappings and bags that are thrown on the floor will be collected by Judges after the competition start. Any pieces left in bags will be placed on the floor where the bag fell with a post-it note underneath.
• A ten second penalty will be applied per missing piece when a competitor declares they are complete.
  • If two or more adjacent pieces are missing, this is treated as a manufacturing defect and no penalties will be applied.
• When the time limit for the division is reached, puzzling stops for all remaining competitors.
  • Judges will count and record the remaining pieces at this time.
  • Any pieces not connected in groups of three or more pieces will be counted as incomplete.
• No time will be recorded for any competitor who receives outside assistance in completing their puzzle.