Questions? Read our FAQ HERE.

Schedule of Events

Volunteer Info

• Sign up & schedule HERE

• Raffle info HERE

Competition & Convention Pass Info

• All national, puzzle chess, and sprint competition information is HERE.

• We are SOLD OUT of competition spots and convention passes!

• Competition Waitlist: We are closing the waitlist in Ticket Tailor on Wednesday, March 20 at 5:00 pm (PT). We have some spots available in various divisions and will now be filling them at the event.
  
  If you are on the waitlist, gather outside of the Kensington convention space on the 2nd floor at 8:30 a.m. Friday (for Individual contests) and Saturday (Pair & Team contests). Volunteers will verify your position on the waitlist (based on when you signed up) and will give you a number that designates your priority for getting a spot. For example, Number 1 will have the first opportunity to fill an empty spot. Once you're given a number at the waitlist meeting, be sure to come back at least 15 minutes before the designated competitions begin because we intend to fill all empty spots.

• Convention Passes: We are no longer offering any passes of any kind.

• Refunds: We are no longer offering refunds of any kind.

Check-In Info

Thursday, March 21st from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting at 8:00 a.m. 

• You only need to check in for Nationals once: Your Ticket Tailor confirmation includes a QR code, so please have that ready to facilitate faster check-in.

• Competitors: MUST check-in (so we don’t giveaway your spot to waitlist) but will not receive a badge. For Teams and Pairs, only one teammate needs to check-in.

• Convention Pass holders will receive:

• T-shirt

• SWAG bag

• Badge

  • Tickets for meals

  • Puzzle piece - This is your raffle entry, don’t lose it! Read for raffle instructions in Convention Activities below.

Note: Switching preliminary round divisions at the competition is NOT ALLOWED. If there are changes to your weekend schedule and you're no longer able to participate in a contest, please let the registration desk know so we can fill your spot with someone on the waitlist. Please don’t ask for an exception, we may start to cry.

Convention Activities

• Attending puzzle artists

• Seminars & panels

• Convention Raffle

  • How it works

  • Winners

• SWAG Bags:

  • Temporary Tattoo Instructions

• Meals:

  • There will be accommodations for vegetarians and gluten-free eaters

  • On Friday night

    • All options are gluten-free

    • Vegetarians should let the wait staff know that they need the vegetarian option and they will deliver a plated option to you

  • All other meals will be To-Go style and will be labeled with restrictions

• Cash Bar: Be sure to check out the custom cocktails and mocktails designed by your top sponsors - Ravensburger & Cobble Hill!

• Swap: Free up some space in your luggage for the things you'll be bringing home by packing a few puzzles to share at our swap table in the convention space. It's a great way to get a few practice puzzles and puzzles to do casually or take home with you.

Competition Details - How it will work!

1. Arrive at least 15 minutes before the announcements for your division begins.

2. Check in at the registration desk before your first competition (unless you've already checked in) so a volunteer can cross you off the list of attendees for the weekend. (See above for more details on check in.)

3. If you're on the waitlist to compete in any division, see the waitlist instructions below.

4. If plans change and you need to cancel your participation in any division, let the registration volunteer know so that we are aware a spot is available to fill.

5. Check here for your table number prior to the competition. Table numbers will also be posted in our welcome area.

6. Everyone will be let into the competition space just prior to the division's announcement time to find your table. Tables will have signs on them with the table number and competitors listed.

7. Once competitions begin this weekend, volunteers will work quickly to reset the space and ensure we stay on schedule. All people in the competition space will be asked to vacate the room between rounds for reset.

8. The puzzles will be in opaque bags on your table. You are NOT ALLOWED to handle the bag or look at the puzzle prior to the start of the timer. If we see you opening the bag or looking into it early, it is grounds for disqualification.

9. Aly Krasny is our emcee and will run through announcements prior to the contest start. See the schedule for exact times.

10. Once Aly is done with announcements, she will lead us in a countdown to the start of the timer.

11. When the timer begins, puzzlers can open the bag and begin. Stickers keeping the boxes closed will be sliced in advance so opening the box should be no problem. The bag of pieces inside the box will be intact.

12. When your team is close to finishing, if there is no volunteer in your area, raise your hand to get their attention so they can be there to write down your official finish time.

Important Note: Be sure you know which division you are in for the individual and pair contests. And make sure you arrive before the announcements for your division begin! Once announcements start, we'll look for any open spots and allow people on the waitlist to fill them.

The people that have qualified for the final Individual and Pair divisions will be noted on our results page as finish times are entered. Table numbers for competitors in Sunday's finals will be posted here on Saturday evening and on our announcement board near the welcome area.

Other Info

• Suggested activities for San Diego

• Competition & Livestream Sponsor: Ravensburger

• Convention Sponsor: Cobble Hill