Frequently Asked Questions

Question: We are a media company or newspaper and want to cover the world championship. What should we do?
Answer: Please send an e-mail to David Hedley Jones with your plans.

Question: Are all puzzle brands and sticker brands allowed?
Answer: All puzzles and stickers must comply to the WCA regulations.
All legal puzzle brands are allowed. So for example no illegal copies of Rubik's Cube.
All sticker brands are allowed.

Question: Why am I selected to compete in the qualification round?
Answer: To manage the time schedule we need to set a limit of competitors for all events on Saturday and Sunday.
When registrations came in we found out that we would pass the limit of competitors for some events. Because we wanted everyone to be able to compete, we decided to add qualification rounds on Friday for the main events.
The best competitors in the qualification rounds qualify for the first rounds.
Basically the selection method for the qualification round of an event is: if registered after May 14, 2007 and not in top 50 of WCA world ranking, then a competitor has to qualify first.
For future competitions WCA will come up with a standard selection method.

Question: Why are there time limits? How do they work?
Answer: For each event there is a time limit, to make sure that the time schedule for the championship can be followed.
A competitor must solve the puzzle inside the time limit. If a competitor passes the time limit, then the judge may stop the solve. The main judge for the event decides whether a competitor is allowed to continue with the remaining solves of the round.

Question: Is it possible to have some unofficial events like one-handed 2x2 or blindfolded Magic?
Answer: No, we will not organise unofficial events. The time schedule is already very busy with 17 official events. Of course you are free to show your abilities during the informal meetings.

Question: Do I need to register all my guests?
Answer: Yes, because all registered guests will receive a named badge, which gives free entrance to the congress center and access to the competitors area of the venue.
All non-registered guests will have to pay for entrance and only have access to the public area of the venue.