One-Answer WCA Competition and Regulations Question Thread

During a blind solve can I ask the judge how long the solve had taken so far? I'm guessing not?

On that note, can you ask the judge the time remaining in a MBLD attempt?

according to regulation A5b no.

"While inspecting or solving the puzzle, the competitor must not receive assistance from anyone or any object other than the surface. Penalty: disqualification of the attempt (DNF)"
 
During a blind solve can I ask the judge how long the solve had taken so far? I'm guessing not?

I would say that qualifies as receiving assistance, here's the regulation that biscuit cites:

A5b) While inspecting or solving the puzzle, the competitor must not receive assistance from anyone or any object other than the surface (also see Regulation 2i). Penalty: disqualification of the attempt (DNF).

On that note, can you ask the judge the time remaining in a MBLD attempt?

During the inspection phase, it's okay to look at the stopwatch just like you could look at a stackmat, but you cannot ask the judge for the time.
 
I would say that qualifies as receiving assistance, here's the regulation that biscuit cites:

A5b) While inspecting or solving the puzzle, the competitor must not receive assistance from anyone or any object other than the surface (also see Regulation 2i). Penalty: disqualification of the attempt (DNF).



During the inspection phase, it's okay to look at the stopwatch just like you could look at a stackmat, but you cannot ask the judge for the time.

Yeah I meant during the blindfold stage, but obviously not then. What happens if your blindfold breaks? It's a stretch I know, but mine is on the verge of breaking.
 
Technically, you could ask them for the time but they can't give it to you. ;)

Fair enough. :p

Yeah I meant during the blindfold stage, but obviously not then. What happens if your blindfold breaks? It's a stretch I know, but mine is on the verge of breaking.

I think that this regulation makes it clear:

B4c1) In all cases, the competitor must wear the blindfold such that their view of the puzzle would still clearly be blocked if the opaque object were not in the way.

If the judge agrees that the broken blindfold was clearly not caused by the competitor intentionally, I would likely give an extra for such a situation.
 
I would say that qualifies as receiving assistance, here's the regulation that biscuit cites:

A5b) While inspecting or solving the puzzle, the competitor must not receive assistance from anyone or any object other than the surface (also see Regulation 2i). Penalty: disqualification of the attempt (DNF).
wait we're all given air for breathing, that's assistance

DNF all solves pls
 
I have a stickerless Yuhu Megaminx and I have trouble diferentiating some colors (I'm color blind), if a dye the pieces of one face or two (for example from light green to black), would it still be competition legal?
 
I have a stickerless Yuhu Megaminx and I have trouble diferentiating some colors (I'm color blind), if a dye the pieces of one face or two (for example from light green to black), would it still be competition legal?

This is a very difficult question to answer, and was actually an issue that came up recently, and has yet to be resolved to my satisfaction. The revelant regulation is:

3d1b) Competitors that cannot distinguish between the necessary number of colors may use coloured parts with patterns, if it has been explicitly approved according to Regulation 2s. Patterns may come from stickers or be drawn.

This basically says that you can have patterns on the affected sides (for example, having a dot in the middle of each piece on one face using a marker). But you must get explicit permission before you do it. I suggest you work out exactly how you would like to approach it, then contact your local delegate and the WCA Board to explain your situation and get permission to use the puzzle in competition.
 
That's too much trouble, I would rather just buy a stickered yuhu and new stickers.

Which is the regulation that dyeing the pieces would break? This one?

3d) Puzzles must have coloured parts, which must be one of the following: coloured stickers, coloured tiles, coloured plastic, or painted/printed colours. All coloured parts of a puzzle must be made of a similar material.

The solution would be painting/dyeing all the pieces instead of only the ones of one face?
 
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