The Hungarian Puzzle Association is the member of the World Puzzle Federation. The Association aims to provide an organized framework for those interested in puzzle solving and puzzle competitions, promoting meaningful and engaging ways to spend free time. It provides the structure for the annual puzzle-solving championships and independently organizes certain competitions. To promote puzzle solving, it holds lectures and competitions throughout the country. The Association also hosts international puzzle competitions in Hungary as well as supports the participation of Hungarian puzzle solvers in international events.
Some interesting facts about the World Puzzle Championships held in Hungary so far
In 1999, the competition was opened by Ernő Rubik, whose name is well known around the world among lovers of logic puzzles. Among the puzzle creators were Zoltán Feleki, György István, Károly Kresz, and Ede Markos, as well as Dr. László Mérő, who had previously competed in the World Puzzle Championship himself and developed numerous new types of logic puzzles, many of which have since appeared in puzzle magazines around the world. The puzzles from the championship were later published under the title Szuperrejtvények (Super Puzzles), a book that can still occasionally be found in online antiquarian bookstores.
This book helped uncover the second major generation of Hungarian logic puzzle solvers. Not only did they soon fight their way into the Hungarian national team, but they also enriched local puzzle publications with new types of puzzles. It’s no surprise that by the 2005 World Championship, Zoltán Horváth, Pál Madarassy, and Zoltán Németh had already become some of the most important puzzle authors.
In 2011, the organizers faced a unique challenge. The World Puzzle Federation decided that from that year onward, both the Logic Puzzle World Championship and the Sudoku World Championship (which was held separately for the first time only in 2006) should be organized at the same location. Instead of the usual five-day event, Hungary hosted a massive eight-day competition, welcoming more than 200 puzzle solvers. And for those who still hadn’t had enough of puzzles after eight days, there was a chance to test not only their mental but also their physical endurance in the unique Hungarian 24-Hours Puzzle Marathon.
Each of these world championships held in Hungary was coordinated by the Hungarian Puzzle Association, and it will be no different this year, when at the end of September, Eger will become the “capital”of the world’s logic puzzle solvers.