REPORT ON THE 5TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE WORLD PUZZLE FEDERATION
Arnhem, the Netherlands, October 16-17, 2003
by Will Shortz, USA
The meeting was called to order by chairman Will Shortz (USA) on October 16
at 14:20. Board members present were Peter Ritmeester, general secretary (Netherlands);
Rob Geensen, treasurer (Netherlands); Erja Gullstén (Finland); and Will
Shortz. Vitezslav Koudelka (Czech Republic) was absent.
The WPF member countries present were: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland,
France, Germany, Hungary*, India, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Romania*, Russia*,
Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom*, and United States (* = nonvoting,
pending payment of dues). A representative from nonmember country Canada was
also present. Member country Argentina was absent. The meeting was held in three
sessions over two days.
Will opened the meeting by welcoming the participants. The delegates introduced
themselves and identified the organizations they represent.
The minutes of the 4th General Assembly of the WPF (Oulu, Finland), as printed
in the World Puzzle Newsletter #8 (pages 16-19), were approved.
Will reminded those present that only WPF members who had paid the 2002-03
dues were permitted to vote at the meeting and to reprint the 2003 World Puzzle
Championship puzzles at home.
Reports
a) Rob reported on the 2003 WPC, including extensive media coverage
of the event.
b) Will reported that two new members, India and Peru, had been approved
by the board for WPF membership -- although Peru had not yet paid the dues.
Hendrik Hardeman (India) spoke about his goal to increase interest in WPC-style
puzzles in India.
c) Rob handed out a report on the WPF finances. For the period from
July 1, 2002, to June 30, 2003, the WPF had receipts of 8,783.20 euros and expenses
of 3,968.37 euros, leaving a balance on June 30 of 10,108.16 euros.
For the period from July 1 to October 10, 2003, the WPF had receipts of 11,463.35
euros and expenses of 5,759.47 euros, leaving a current balance of 15,812.04
euros.
Rob mentioned that the design and printing costs of WPF Newsletter #8 were
not yet shown on the expense report.
Peter said he will talk with Ján Farkas (Slovakia) about printing the
next newsletter in Slovakia in order to reduce its cost.
d) Will asked for puzzle-related articles and other contributions for
the next newsletter. The deadline was set as December 15, although material
at any time would be welcome. Articles do not need to be in polished English;
they will be copyedited by an English speaker and, upon request, returned to
the author for approval.
Promotion and Sponsorship
a) On behalf of the board, Will reported that Google, the Internet search
company, which sponsors the U.S. team at the WPC, had also expressed interest
in sponsoring the WPC itself. The board will pursue discussions with Google
and other potential sponsors. Any sponsorship agreement that is made will be
binding on WPC hosts from 2005 onward.
Will said the board will decide in general terms how any sponsorship money
is to be spent. The primary goal will be to increase WPC participation by subsidizing
the travel and attendance expenses of competitors from less wealthy countries.
Meanwhile, the board will also facilitate discussions for 2004 WPC sponsorship
between Google and organizer Valter Kvalic (Croatia).
b) On behalf of the board, Will reported that the New York Times Syndicate
had expressed interest in syndicating a weekly feature of WPC-style puzzles
to newspapers around the world, with the WPF's endorsement. This could result
in publicity and a modest amount of money for the WPF. Any developments will
be reported on the WPF website.
c) In the absence of Vitezslav Koudelka, it was not known how much progress
he had made during the past year on producing a brochure to promote the WPC/WPF.
Stanley Newman (USA) offered to help him. Peter said he would check with Vitezslav.
Hendrik suggested that the WPF produce a CD-ROM rather than a brochure.
d) Valter said he would make strong efforts to attract countries near
Croatia that are not present at this year's WPC to attend next year's.
Helene Hovanec (USA) offered to help write to other countries. She will work
with Valter to do this.
Puzzlers' Survey
Peter handed out a report on the results of a survey of 2002 WPC competitors
on what they liked and didn't like about the WPC. It is summarized in WPF Newsletter
#8 (pages 22-23). The full report will be posted on the WPF website.
Peter said he would do a new survey on the 2003 WPC. Bettina Rothaermel (Germany)
offered to help him compile the results.
WPC Puzzle Guidelines
Peter handed out a reprint of the "Puzzle Guidelines for the World Puzzle
Championship" and an article on "What Is Fair?," as they appeared
in the WPF Newsletter #2 (1997, pages 14-15).
This sparked a discussion on the guideline that "general knowledge"
puzzles can account for up to 10% of WPC scoring; also that "geographical
questions ... are proper subjects for the competition" and that other "tests
of knowledge" are acceptable, "if ... used with ... caution."
Based on comments from past competitors, the board made a motion that "Puzzles
testing general knowledge are not allowed in the WPC."
Valter said that if a WPC round contains more puzzles than any solver can do,
then having a small percentage of the puzzles test geographical knowledge, for
example, should not be a problem.
Peter said that including such puzzles is still inherently unfair, because
it limits the options of the solvers who lack the relevant knowledge. He said
the WPC should be a test of solving skills, not knowledge.
John Wetmiller (Canada) said he would like the WPC puzzles to be as inclusive
as possible.
Nevzat Erkmen (Turkey) said the WPC's puzzles should embrace as much of life
as possible.
Hendrik said he would like the WPC to include types of puzzles not on the approved
list -- not necessarily for points, but rather for fun and/or experimentation.
After all discussion, the motion passed 8-2.
The board also moved that "Puzzles that reward knowledge of English or
any other language represented at the WPC are not allowed." Thus, crisscross
and word search puzzles used in the WPC would have to be in a neutral language,
and if a logical puzzle has a final answer that spells a word, that word should
not be in English or another non-neutral language. This passed 10-0.
Will pointed out that the rules still allow puzzles to use the Roman alphabet,
with which it is assumed all competitors are familiar. Also, the puzzle instructions
are to be in English, which is the official language of the WPC.
Hendrik said he would like a catalog of all past WPC puzzles in order to help
new competitors. For example, not everyone is necessarily familiar with Battleships
or other puzzles frequently used in the WPC.
Serhiy Grabarchuk (Ukraine) said that in the list of puzzle guidelines, the
category "mechanical puzzles" would be better worded as "manipulative
puzzles." Will agreed. Nick Baxter (USA) suggested that this change in
wording be made in the next printing.
Will mentioned that, following the WPF rules, the board will name a neutral
person or panel of persons to review the 2004 WPC puzzles and rules before the
championship for adherence to the standards of fairness.
Crossword Puzzles
On behalf of the board, Will asked for volunteers to form a committee on ways
to incorporate crossword puzzles in the WPF's activities -- not in the main
competition, but as separate events or in the newsletter. He said the goal would
be to make the WPF more useful and relevant to members.
The volunteers were Hendrik (India), Valter (Croatia), Nevzat (Turkey), György
Istvan (Hungary), and Tim Preston (United Kingdom).
When ready, their proposals will be posted on the WPF website for discussion.
Membership Fee for 2004-05
On behalf of the board, Rob proposed that the WPF membership fee for 2004-05
be 250 euros. As in the past, members from wealthier countries are encouraged
to pay more. However, there will be no exceptions made with a lowered amount.
The motion passed 10-0.
Site Selection for the 2005 WPC
Peter reported he had received two offers to host the 2005 WPC (from Bulgaria
and India) by the deadline for offers before this year's WPC. As Hungary had
subsequently expressed an interest, though, a motion was made to open the discussion
to other offers. This passed 10-0.
Three offers were made. Each presenter was given five minutes to provide details.
György renewed his offer from last year to host the 2005 WPC in Miskolc,
Hungary's third-largest city, located in the northeast of the country, at the
same hotel where a recent World Chess Championship was held. The event would
include a crossword tournament in the evening, open to all WPC participants,
including captains and guests. Hungary's 6th annual 24-Hour Puzzle Championship
would be held immediately before or after the WPC, and would be open to all
WPC participants for a modest extra fee.
Iliana Zvetkova (Bulgaria) offered to host the 2005 WPC in Borovec, Bulgaria,
a mountain resort about 60 kilometers south-southeast of Sofia. It would be
organized by Bulgarian Mensa, with the help of puzzlers at the University of
Sofia.
Hendrik offered to host the 2005 WPC in Kochi, in southern India, on the coast
of the Arabian Sea. The championship would be held at a four-star hotel. The
puzzles would be created by puzzlers from India as well as other countries that
haven't yet hosted a WPC. He would try to get participation from countries throughout
Asia (including China), the Persian Gulf states, and Australia.
After questions and discussion, a vote was conducted by secret ballot. The
results: Hungary -- 5, Bulgaria -- 4, India -- 2.
Election of a Board Member
One person, Hüsnü Sincar (Turkey), had been nominated by the deadline
to fill the board position being vacated by Erja. He spoke about himself and
his goal to make the WPC better known. He was elected 8-1.
Erja was applauded for her service on the board for the past three years.
Will reminded members that two board positions will be electable in 2004. A
person may nominate himself or someone else.
Statement from the 2004 WPC Organizers
Valter Kvalic announced plans for next year's WPC, to be held October 12-17
at the Hotel Ambassador, in Opatija, a resort town in Croatia, on the Adriatic
Sea. It will be sponsored by Feniks magazine. Attendees will be provided round-trip
transportation to the hotel from either the Zagreb airport or the train station
in Rijeka. Other nearby major airports are Trieste and Venice, Italy. The price
will be no higher than in 2003.
News
Nick reported on the recent world Rubik's games championships and suggested
that their organization might be a worthwhile contact for the WPF in the future.
Closing
On behalf of the WPF, Will thanked Rob and his colleagues for an exceptionally
fine WPC -- in its site, puzzles, organization, time provided for socializing
and playing games, and the innovation of providing the instruction booklet a
week before the event. Members enthusiastically concurred.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned on October 17 at
14:45.
