IPP26 logo: IPP2006 that looks the same upside-down
International Puzzle Party 26
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
July 27 to July 30, 2006
(Revised January 25, 2007)
IPP logo: a burr with I-P-P on three faces


Copies of documents:

Edward Hordern Puzzle Exchange

The Edward Hordern Puzzle Exchange is available only to those who have attended at least one IPP in the past. When you pre-register, please let us know if you plan to take part. If so, the final invitation will confirm how many puzzles you need to bring. The exchange lists will be provided at IPP26. You can bring one assistant to the exchange. You should provide the assistant's name in your final invitation form.

For the IPP26 Edward Hordern Puzzle Exchange, the number of exchanges each participant makes will be limited to 100. If there are fewer then 101 Exchangers, then this number will be smaller. However, we expect that there will be more than 101 Exchangers, in which case a computer program will be used to randomly assign the exchanges that each participant will carry out. Jerry Slocum conducted a survey of all the IPP22 Exchange participants, and the vast majority of those who responded favored these rule changes.

Edward Hordern Puzzle Exchange Rules

  1. All serious puzzle collectors invited to Puzzle Parties are eligible to participate in the Edward Hordern Puzzle Exchange during their second and subsequent Puzzle Parties. This allows newcomers to see the types and quality of the exchange puzzles and learn how the exchange works before participating in exchanges. After attending at least one Puzzle Party, serious collectors may apply to participate in the Exchange.
  2. All Puzzlers that sign up to participate in the Exchange must bring an Exchange puzzle for each participant, up to a maximum of 100 puzzles for the Exchange, plus one for display during the IPP. The maximum number of Exchange puzzles required will be 101. This means that if 120 participants sign up, each person will NOT Exchange with 19 of the participants. Announcements will be sent to each participant defining the number of Exchange puzzles required. The puzzle on display should be reclaimed at the close of the Puzzle Party.
  3. Each participant must attend in person and must have the required number of puzzles with him or her.
  4. All participants must exchange with every puzzler on their Exchange "Check-Off" list and must NOT exchange with puzzlers that are not on their Exchange list. An individualized computer-generated list will be provided to each participant at the beginning of the Exchange and it will list the participants that each person must exchange with. If there are more than 100 participants, an additional second list will provide the names of participants that you will NOT exchange with during the Exchange. A handout titled, Puzzle Exchange Algorithm for IPP 23, is available and provides details of the computer algorithm that is used to randomly assign the exchanges.
  5. Only the authorized Exchanges are allowed during the Exchange! All business discussions, including buying, selling and licensing puzzles are not permitted during the hours of the Exchange.
  6. The Exchange puzzle must be a high quality mechanical puzzle. The IPP definition of high quality is very broad, as in "Total Quality," and includes: How innovative the design is; How well the puzzle is made; How well it is presented and; How much fun it is to solve. High quality does NOT mean high cost! The puzzle must be self-contained and not require any tools which are not a part of the puzzle. Impossible object puzzles are included as mechanical puzzles at IPPs and may be exchanged. Photocopies of puzzles, paper puzzles and gadgets are not acceptable. Check with the organizers if you have any doubts or questions.
  7. Exchange puzzles must not be commercially available from normal puzzle sources prior to the IPP where they are exchanged. The goal is that no Puzzlers should already have the puzzle in their collection. If you have any doubt about a puzzle that you are considering for the Exchange, ask Jerry, Marcel or another puzzler with a large and comprehensive collection.
  8. The Exchange puzzle and all related documents must be in a single closable (not shrink-wrapped) container which must be marked so the name of the puzzle and the name of the giver are visible from the outside of the package. The instructions or objective of the puzzle, and if possible the names of the designer and maker of the puzzle as well as background information, should be included in the container. The container should be small enough in all dimensions to easily fit into a standard small shipping box (18x10x7 inches; 46x25x18 cm).
  9. One assistant will be allowed to support each participant at their table, but the assistant is not allowed to make any exchanges. Only Exchange participants, and a maximum of one assistant each, are allowed entry into the Puzzle Exchange. However, due to the large number of participants in the room, please consider your needs carefully before deciding to bring an assistant.
  10. A complete solution, ready for photocopying, must be provided to the organizers before the Exchange. This will be included in a Souvenir booklet to be sent to all participating invitees.

Jerry Slocum, IPP Founder 15 October 2002
Powered by PHP email the IPP26 organizers or the Webmaster Vim Powered!