How do I reach the location?
The H.F. Witte Sporthal in De Bilt is easily accessible by both car and public transport. See the sports hall link for more information: https://hfwitte.nl/route-parkeren/
You can also park on the grass directly next to the parking lot.
Do I have to qualify for the Dutch Jigsaw Nationals?
No, you do not have to qualify. If you have a Dutch passport or have lived in the Netherlands for more than 2 years, you can simply register from March 15th 2025. International participants can register from April 1st 2025 if there is still room.
Who can participate in the Dutch Jigsaw Nationals?
The Dutch Jigsaw Nationals are open to Dutch people, but international participants are also welcome. By Dutch people we mean everyone with a Dutch passport and everyone who has lived in the Netherlands for more than 2 years. Registration for Dutch people will open on March 15th. If there is still room, international participants can register from April 1st. Only Dutch participants are eligible for the main prizes. Pairs and teams with participants of different nationalities are considered international. There is no age limit, but solo participants under 18 years of age must be able to complete a 500-piece puzzle within 2 hours on average.
Are the Dutch Jigsaw Nationals the same as the NKLegpuzzelen?
No, these are two different jigsaw puzzle competitions. For more information about the NK Legpuzzelen, visit: www.nklegpuzzelen.nl
Do I have to qualify for the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship (WJPC) at the Dutch Jigsaw Nationals?
No, these are two different events, for which you can register separately. However, Speedpuzzling The Netherlands, the organizer of the Dutch Jigsaw Nationals, is associated with the World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation, which organizes the WJPC.
I have a (physical) disability, can I participate?
The Dutch Jigsaw Nationals are inclusive, and we would like to facilitate participants with a disability. Would you like to send an email to info@speedpuzzling.nl, so that we can discuss in advance what you need and what we can offer? This is to prevent unnecessary stress on the day of the competition.
Can I keep the puzzle?
Yes, you may keep your puzzle, whether you finished it on time or not. If you make it into the finals als a solo competitor, you may keep both your qualifications puzzle and your finals puzzle. Pairs may keep their puzzle as well and teams may keep both their puzzles.
Why is there only a speed requirement for children?
The Dutch Jigsaw Nationals are intended for adults. However, in international and foreign competitions we see that a few children participate who can keep up well with the adult field of participants. We want to give these children a chance to participate. We advise parent(s)/guardian(s) to make their own assessment of whether their child can mentally handle the competition. Please note: children must be accompanied by an adult on the day.
Why do the preliminary rounds for solo participants last 2 hours?
In international and foreign competitions, we see 1,5 hours as the standard maximum time for completing a puzzle of 500 pieces. However, at the Dutch Jigsaw Nationals we also want to give slower participants a chance to finish their puzzle.
What if you do not finish your puzzle on time?
This is written down in the rules: If a participant does not complete the puzzle within the set time, the remaining pieces are counted by a jury member. In the ranking the number of puzzled pieces will be registered. We hope everybody will have fun during the competitions, whether the puzzles are finished or not.
Why can foreigners only register from April 1st 2025?
The Dutch Jigsaw Nationals are primarily intended for Dutch people. Foreigners can register for competitions in their own country or for international competitions such as the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship (https://www.worldjigsawpuzzle.org/) or the European Jigsaw Championship (https://www.mopepuzzle.hu/). We make an exception for foreigners who live in the Netherlands and who are likely to want to participate in a competition here. That is why a requirement has been set for the duration of residence in the Netherlands.
If there are not enough Dutch people participating in the Dutch Jigsaw Nationals, foreign registrations are very welcome from April 1st 2025.
I do not have a Dutch passport, do I have to be able to prove that I have lived in the Netherlands for more than two years?
We use your address to check whether you live in the Netherlands. If you want to register without a Dutch passport, you must be able to prove upon request that you have lived in the Netherlands since at least June 14th 2023. For example, by showing an extract of the date of registration from the Personal Records Database (BRP). If you receive the request, you are responsible for providing the extract and the costs thereof.
I am unable to come to the location, can I participate online?
No, the Dutch Jigsaw Nationals are live. If you prefer to participate in an online competition, there are other options, such as the Euro Jigsaw Jam https://speedpuzzle.eu/eurojigsawjam/
How can I cancel my participation?
This is possible via info@speedpuzzling.nl. A refund of the registration fee is possible up to two weeks before the start of the competition. After that, we would still like to hear from you if you are unable to participate, so that we can warn people on a possible reserve list.
Someone in my team or my pairs-partner cannot be present after all, what can I do?
You can change the composition of your team or pair via info@speedpuzzling.nl up to 48 hours before the start of the competition. Essentially, it is not permitted to participate with less than two people in the duo competition or three people in the team competition.
How big are the tables?
The tables are 80 cm by 120 cm. Solo participants, pairs and teams have an entire table available.
Can you eat or drink something in the sports hall?
Yes, the hall has its own catering. You can buy coffee, thee and soft drinks and there are sandwiches and snacks for sale.
