I agree with you kiwijam. Now it seems, that it´s better to solve easier puzzles than harder one, because this puzzles should be more probably discarded. Your suggestion is fine, but it´s hard to predict number of solvers.

And the other problem is, that players doesn´t solve some puzzles in real time. They only print them and solve "how they can". For example, if I do not like scrabble puzzles, then I only print it and solve for a day (not because, i´m not able o do it faster, but only because I know, that I will solve it longer than 1 hour). So my time is not around two hours (as I solve it), but around 24 hours. And if you want to use formulas, where same number of solver appear, my 2 hour time should change the amount of points, if I should solve in real time. So the trouble is with people, whose do not solve "in real time".

What about faktors for every puzzle, to be used to multiplying the result? For example the hardest puzzle should have factor 2 and easiest puzzle should have factor 1. Or anything similar to that. But faktors should reduce the differences between puzzles at least for some players.

You don't need to predict the number of solvers. For example, after last year we could use n=212 for all ten puzzles. Then the rank bonus is the same amount for each puzzle.

Based on the inputs in this thread, we found that the hardest puzzle indeed gets eliminated for a majority. In effect, it is true that the hardest puzzle has minimal say in the rankings, especially near the top of the standings. So we are coming up with a revised structure for points table as below. Do share your thoughts on this. This uses the easiest puzzle as a reference. We'll review post-marathon if this addresses the problem or not. (Changes are in red)

I am not able to understand the difference between:
1. The top ranked player for the particular puzzle; and
2. The best player for the particular puzzle

No difference. They are the same.

That means 100 is the maximum score a person gets (by the person who solves fastest correctly) : 50+25+25. Am I getting it right?

Absolutely.

It looks much improved, Rakesh, thank you.

Good luck everyone, have fun!

Where is the puzzle? I can't find it

Click on on each puzzle to download the pdf.

I took my printout of Fillomino and there are absolutely no grid lines in between except on the borders....Now I need to draw lines with a scale in between

I would advise the LMIans to prefer the one with the solid lines as my printer had a problem with the former and completely missed printing the dotted lines in between.I would stop myself short here by saying that the Fillomino puzzle by itself is absolutely delightful and perfect!!!Good luck to all!

Fillomino seems to suffer the slightest ambiguity at the very end, and not affecting the key (unless I somehow messed up): R13C2 and R13C3 contain some permutation of 20,1.

R13C2 and R13C3 have no ambiguity.

Why is Hidoku listed with 4 players when it hasn't been uploaded yet?

Is there anyway to give up on a puzzle once started? I am finding the Nurikabe impossible to solve logically (certainly not "easy") and trial and error is not much fun.

Finally got it after a lot of erasing. I guess I'm used to Nikoli nurikabes that never seemed that hard. Need to figure out new theorems or guess better.

Just our internal testing


After 1 hour is over, you click on "Refresh Status" on the submission page or refresh the whole browser. You should be able to start new one.

So far (3 solved, no bonus points ;-) ) very nice experience!!!

It's half-time for me (5 puzzles solved). This contest is always so interesting.
A question about the results : because of the calculation, it is not possible to have the complete score, with bonus, before the competition ends, but we could see the problems solved, the time used... Is this "the results that will be available soon ?"

I can't see the results, do I have a problem or is it the same for all?

Edited by forcolin 2015-03-08 6:52 AM