5th Annual Artifact Puzzles USA Speed-Puzzling Contest

Registration Has Ended.  Puzzles are being shipped out now, don't open them until the zoom call starts! You will get an email with a link to the zoom call by March 7th. 

This is the 5th annual Artifact Puzzles USA National Speed-Puzzling Contest that you can participate in from the comfort of your living room!

Where: Your living room! The contest is on Zoom (video conference).

When: Contest happens Saturday March 8, 2025:

• Pairs Contest: 1pm West Coast = 4pm East Coast time = 3pm CDT
• Individuals Contest: 3pm West Coast = 6pm East Coast time = 5pm CDT

How Many Puzzlers?: We expect around 50 teams for the Pairs contest, and maybe 75-100 for Individuals.

Which Puzzle? Everyone will do the same totally secret, never-before-seen wood jigsaw puzzle at the same time. You keep your contest puzzle after the contest.    

• Individuals puzzle:  230 pieces
• Pairs puzzle: 386 pieces
• Puzzles will be from our Ecru line with a matte image
• There will be a small picture on the box like usual.
• Puzzles will be average hard with irregular piece shapes and whimsies, they may have an irregular or straight edge, the edge will not be show on the box picture (like usual for us)
• The images are chosen for their broad appeal, and are appropriate for all-ages.

Individuals or Pairs or Both?: You pick if you'd like to complete in the solo (Individuals: Adults) or in a team of 2 (Pairs) by purchasing the right variant of this product.  The puzzles will be different, so you can compete in both. 

The puzzle contest puzzle will arrive early March in a box that says Do NOT Open!  Do not open it!

We will email you instructions to get on the Zoom call for the contest.

Everyone opens up their shipping boxes at the same time on the Zoom video-conference, and starts puzzling at the same time.  

Cost: 

• Individuals Contest: $75 (you keep the puzzle) 
• Pairs Contest: $120 (one of you keeps the puzzle)

Prizes: Yes! For both the Solos and Pairs categories:

• First Place: your choice of any puzzle we make under 2,000 pieces, or a 1 year membership to the Hoefnagel Puzzle Club
• Second Place: your choice of any puzzle we make 600 pieces or less, or a 6 month membership to the Hoefnagel Puzzle Club
• Third Place: your choice of any puzzle we make 400 pieces or less, or a 3 month membership to the Hoefnagel Puzzle Club

How Do I Register?:  Purchase this product and make sure to fill in your email, phone number, and shipping address when you check-out.

How Many Contestants Will There Be?: Probably 50-100, no more than 150 entrants per contest.

Can I Just Watch?:  Yep! Purchase the "spectator-only" variant for the contest you want to watch. 

USA only:  Due to uncertain international shipping times we cannot accept international entries.

Tips: check out our blog post on "how the fastest puzzlers do it."

More Details: 

• We'll ship you the puzzle late February by USPS Ground Advantage shipping
• We'll email contestants a link by March 5th  to join the Zoom meeting on March 8th.
• The judges will check each contestant’s camera setup and that they have not opened the shipping box guarding the puzzle.
• There will be brief instructions given, and everyone will open their shipping box and remove the wrapping LIVE, on camera.
• Then we will start the timer, and everyone will puzzle simultaneously.
• While only the fastest puzzlers will get prizes, everyone is encouraged to finish the puzzle and clock-in their fastest time, that is the event will run a full two hours, not just until the first three people finish. 
• After the contest is over, and all entries have been verified, we will the blog the completion times and names of the fastest puzzlers. 
• You CAN participate in both contests if you want.
• Puzzling Tools: Sorting trays and box top holders are allowed. Other tools
  (spatulas, magnifying glasses, cell phone cameras) are NOT.
• Each puzzle is a new Artifact Puzzle that is not listed on our website. 
• Each puzzle is average hard as our puzzles go, but on the trickier side of average hard as they may have irregular edges (no straight edge pieces).
• The picture of the puzzle will be on-the-box.
• Contest will be moderated by Jonathan Cluff of Speed Puzzling (same as past events).