Rules

Informācija latviski

Rules

  • Registration is considered complete only once the participant receives a confirmation text message after the participation fee has been paid.
  • After submitting the application, the participation fee must be paid within 2 days. Otherwise, the application will be cancelled.
  • If several applications are submitted for the last available spot in a group, the spot will be reserved for the applicant whose payment is received first.
  • In the individual category, participants must be at least 14 years old. In the pairs and team categories, a child under 14 must participate together with an adult pair partner or team member.
  • The organiser helps participants look for a pair partner or team members. If it is still not possible to form a pair or a team, the organiser will refund the participation fee.
  • Once a pair or a team has been formed, the organiser will send the participant the contact details of their puzzle partner(s).
  • The application form must include the participant’s first and last name. Pseudonyms and other invalid entries (e.g., phrases, initials, or symbols) are not allowed.
  • The application form must include an active phone number. This is needed so the organiser can share up-to-date information and to enable communication between participants if they are paired up and/or placed in a team.
  • The organiser has the right to refuse participation if the application contains an invalid first/last name and/or an invalid phone number. In such cases, the participation fee will be refunded.
  • By registering, the participant agrees that their first and last name will be published in the Jigsaw Puzzle Federation of Latvia results on the website and on social media. In separate posts, the participant’s represented country may also be mentioned.
  • Answers to the application form questions about the participant’s age and city are optional; any provided data is used for internal statistics only.
  • By submitting the application form, the participant agrees that they may be photographed and/or filmed during the event and that this content may be published on the Jigsaw Puzzle Federation of Latvia website and social media for the purpose of promoting speed puzzling in Latvia.
  • If a participant cancels their participation at least 6 days before the competition, the participation fee will be refunded in full.
  • If a participant cancels less than 6 days before the competition, no refund will be issued.
    The participation fee cannot be transferred to another competition.
  • Once the group is full and a participant cancels, their spot will be offered to an applicant on the waiting list.
  • When cancelling, a participant may transfer their spot to someone they have arranged themselves (i.e., if they have found a replacement).

 General information for all competitions

  • The organiser will inform participants of their assigned table numbers and other useful information at least 3 days before the competition. A link to the information page will be sent to each participant by text message.
  • Before the start, participants will wait outside the competition hall. Participants will be allowed into the competition hall at least 5 minutes before the start to familiarise themselves with the rules.
  • Seats for supporters will be available in the competition hall.
  • The maximum number of participants may vary depending on the venue and the event format.
  • All participants in a group receive the same puzzle or puzzle set.
  • All puzzles will have the outer wrap removed or the seals cut. Only the inner bag with the puzzle pieces will remain unopened.
  • After the competition, participants keep all puzzles that were placed on their table, unless stated otherwise in the rules.
  • If a participant arrives late after the timer has started, their result will include the missed time, as if they had started on time with the other participants.
  • Brief breaks, such as going to the restroom, are permitted during the puzzle completion.
  • While assembling the puzzle, participants may use a puzzle box stand/holder, sorting trays, and trays.
  • While assembling the puzzle, participants may listen to music using headphones.
  • Any behaviour that disturbs other participants is not allowed.

Speed puzzling competition

  • The goal of the competition is to complete the puzzle as fast as possible.
  • In the individual category, the time limit for a 500-piece puzzle is 1 hour 45 minutes, unless stated otherwise in the rules.
  • In the pairs category, the time limit for a 500-piece puzzle is 1 hour 30 minutes, unless stated otherwise in the rules.
  • In the team category, the time limit for a 1000-piece puzzle is 2 hours, unless stated otherwise in the rules.
  • A team must consist of 4 people.
  • Tables may vary depending on the venue, but the usable table width per participant will be at least 80 cm.
  • Each table will have an opaque bag containing the hidden puzzle.
  • The participant may take the puzzle out of the bag only after the organiser’s signal and/or once the timer has started.
  • If a participant is about to finish but there is no assistant nearby, they must raise a hand in advance so their result can be recorded.
  • The result is determined by the time it took to complete the puzzle if it is finished within the time limit. Otherwise, the result is determined by the number of pieces assembled.
  • If a participant’s puzzle is missing one or more pieces, the participant may finish by telling an assistant “stop” – 5 seconds will be added to their result for each missing piece. Alternatively, the participant may choose to look for the missing piece. The time spent searching will only be excluded if it is confirmed that the piece was missing due to a manufacturing defect. In that case, the result will be the time when the last available piece was placed.
  • If a participant completes the puzzle before the time limit, they must leave the competition hall once their result is recorded and may return only when the round ends.

Team puzzling marathon

  • The puzzle marathon lasts 6 hours, and all teams finish at the same time.
  • The goal of the marathon is to assemble as many puzzle pieces as possible within 6 hours.
  • The result is determined by the number of pieces assembled.
  • Each team will have 4 chairs and a 120×120 cm work surface made by pushing together two tables (120×60 cm each). If needed, the organiser can provide a 100×70 cm plastic sheet.
  • Each team will receive a set of five 1000-piece puzzles.
  • Teams may open the puzzle box only after the organiser’s signal and once the timer has started.
  • The marathon starts with the same puzzle for all teams. Teams choose the order of the remaining puzzles themselves.
  • A team must consist of 4–5 members.
  • A 5th member is allowed, but only 4 members may be at the table at the same time.
  • Each team plans their own breaks or member rotations, if needed.
  • Assistants will not record the time for each individual puzzle. If it matters to the team, they must do so themselves.
  • The finished puzzle must be completely disassembled, and all pieces put back into the box.
  • If all five puzzles are completed in less than 6 hours, the team reassembles any previously completed puzzle. Each puzzle may be reassembled only once.