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Internet Problem Solving Contest

Welcome to IPSC

Internet Problem Solving Contest pushes the boundary of what is possible in programming competitions. The problem set has a wide mix of problems that includes both challenging algorithmic problems and various unusual kinds of problems which will test your outside the box thinking. Every year, thousands of contestants gather to compare their skills, learn something new, and have fun. Will you join us too?

IPSC 2018 is over

IPSC 2018 took place from 6 October 2018, 15:00 UTC to 6 October 2018, 20:00 UTC.

Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone who participated! We hope you had fun, and we're looking forward to seeing you again next year.

Open DivisionSecondary School Division
Team ♪ ♪ ♪
shik, step5, peter50216 from Taiwan, representing Google / UT Austin / 🐰🏠
Team FAILED TSTST Day 3
Benjamin Qi, David Hu, Walden Yan from United States, representing Princeton HS, Lynbrook HS, Avon HS
Open Division (individuals)Secondary School Division (individuals)
Team usagi
Yui Hosaka from Japan, representing The University of Tokyo
Team saba2000
Nikoloz Birkadze (16) from Georgia

If you missed the contest, or if you already want to prepare for the next one, don't worry! IPSC 2018 is available as a virtual contest in the Training Area, together with all past IPSC contests since it began in 1999.

What makes IPSC different?

The IPSC rules might not be what you're used to:

But the secret sauce is in the problem set. Most of the problems are algorithmic in nature, but IPSC is particularly known for its unusual and fun problems. Here are some of our favorites:

If these problems sound interesting, try solving them in the Training Area, browse through the Archive for other problems like them, and join us for the next IPSC!

Postcard Quest

We still don't have enough postcards from all over the world. Therefore the annual special task remains: You are encouraged to send us a nice postcard. If the postcard arrives before IPSC 2018 begins, your team will be awarded -60 penalty minutes. (Don't forget to write the name of your team on the back of the postcard.)

Our address: KSP, KZVI FMFI UK, Mlynska dolina, 842 48 Bratislava, Slovakia.