Certus IQ Cup
One puzzle a day. The fastest ten go live.
A wordless picture-logic puzzle, about 90 seconds a day. Weekly rounds, then a live final on Dec 17 (Thu).
- Free to enter
- Free Certus IQ account
- Live final · Dec 17, 20:00 JST
Entering requires a free Certus IQ account. Registration opens Nov 11, 10:00. The Cup starts on Nov 23 (Mon) or Nov 30 (Mon), depending on sign-ups.
Play
Today's puzzle
How to play
How to play
Certus Proof is a picture-logic puzzle. The numbers tell you which squares to fill; when every number is satisfied, a picture appears.
Watch how to play · 1 min
A full solve, step by step. Captions on screen, so it works with the sound off.
Learn by doing
Step 1 of 4
A 5 in a row of 5 squares means every square is filled. Tap them all.
Watch a solve
Row 1: 7 → fill as the numbers say, mark the rest ×
Schedule
Schedule
All times are Japan Standard Time (UTC+9). Your local time is shown next to the final.
- Registration opensNov 11 (Wed) 10:00 JST
- Start check: 100 players by Nov 19 (Thu) → 3 rounds from Nov 23 (Mon)Nov 19 (Thu) 23:59 JST
- Start check: 75 players by Nov 26 (Thu) → 2 rounds from Nov 30 (Mon)Nov 26 (Thu) 23:59 JST
- Registration closesDec 9 (Wed) 23:59 JST
- Finalists confirmedDec 14 (Mon)Reply by Dec 15 (Tue) 23:59 JST
- Rehearsal (finalists only)Dec 16 (Wed) 20:00 JST
- Live final (online)Dec 17 (Thu) 20:00 JSTBackup: Dec 18 (Fri) 20:00 JST
- Prizes sent byDec 23 (Wed)
- Entry data deletedJan 31 (Sun)
Rules
Rules
- Entry
- Entry requires a free Certus IQ account and registration on this page. Registration opens Nov 11, 10:00 and stays open until Dec 9, 23:59 (JST), also while rounds are under way. One account, one entry. The Cup starts once enough players have registered: if 100 players have registered by Nov 19 (Thu), Round 1 starts on Nov 23 (Mon) and there are three rounds. Otherwise, if at least 75 players have registered by Nov 26 (Thu), Round 1 starts on Nov 30 (Mon) and there are two rounds. If fewer than 75 players have registered by Nov 26 (Thu), the Cup is cancelled and we announce it on this page. The date of the live final does not change.
- 1. Daily puzzle
- One puzzle per day, the same for everyone. It is released at 00:00 JST and can be played until 23:59 JST. Only the orientation of the picture differs from player to player.
- 2. Timing
- The clock starts when you press Start and the clues appear, and stops when the board is correct. Time is measured on our server, not on your device. Closing the page does not stop the clock.
- 3. One attempt
- Only your first attempt at each day's puzzle is recorded. You can replay it afterwards for practice; replays are never recorded.
- 4. Time limit
- Each puzzle has a 10-minute limit. A day on which you exceed the limit, or do not reach the correct board, counts as incomplete and cannot be used for scoring.
- 5. Rounds and scoring
- A round is seven days, Monday to Sunday. The Cup has three or two rounds, depending on when it starts (see Entry). Your round score is the sum of your best 5 daily times in that round; a smaller total ranks higher. You need at least 5 completed days to be ranked in a round. Rounds do not accumulate: each round starts from zero, and a player who joins in the last round competes on equal terms.
- 6. Ties
- Ties within a round are broken by more completed days, then by the smaller single best time, then by the earlier completion time of the last counted puzzle.
- 7. Qualifying for the final
- Ten finalists. With three rounds: the top 3 of each round (9) plus 1 wildcard. With two rounds: the top 5 of each round. If a player has already qualified in an earlier round, the slot passes to the next player in that round. The wildcard is the best remaining player by highest round placement, then by the smallest ratio of their round score to that round's winner. Finalists are notified by email and must confirm attendance by Dec 15 (Tue); otherwise the slot passes to the next player.
- 8. The final
- The final is played live online at the scheduled time. Finalists join a video call with their camera on and solve three new puzzles (7×7, 8×8, 10×10) released simultaneously, with limits of 8, 10 and 12 minutes. The final ranking is the sum of the three times; an unfinished puzzle counts as its full limit. A tie is decided by a 5×5 tiebreak puzzle. Round results do not carry over into the final. Prizes are decided only by the final.
- 9. Fairness
- Everyone gets the same puzzle, shown in a different orientation per player. One entry per person. We review the move logs of top-ranked players and the final is played on camera. Where our own systems fail, we void that day for everyone rather than adjust individual results.
- 10. Not allowed
- Multiple entries or shared accounts; bots, scripts, solvers or screen-reading tools; publishing or sharing the day's picture or solution; outside help during the final; turning the camera off in the final. These lead to removal from the standings and forfeiture of any prize (see the Terms).
- 11. Results and names
- Standings show display names and times only. We never publish email addresses, real names or locations unless you publish them yourself.
- 12. Changes
- If a day has to be voided (outage, a faulty puzzle, a leaked solution), we announce it on this page the same day. The round then uses the remaining days; if two days are voided, the round uses the best 4. The organiser's decisions on results are final, subject to the appeal process in the Terms.
Entry
Entry requires a free Certus IQ account and registration on this page. Registration opens Nov 11, 10:00 and stays open until Dec 9, 23:59 (JST), also while rounds are under way. One account, one entry. The Cup starts once enough players have registered: if 100 players have registered by Nov 19 (Thu), Round 1 starts on Nov 23 (Mon) and there are three rounds. Otherwise, if at least 75 players have registered by Nov 26 (Thu), Round 1 starts on Nov 30 (Mon) and there are two rounds. If fewer than 75 players have registered by Nov 26 (Thu), the Cup is cancelled and we announce it on this page. The date of the live final does not change.
1. Daily puzzle
One puzzle per day, the same for everyone. It is released at 00:00 JST and can be played until 23:59 JST. Only the orientation of the picture differs from player to player.
2. Timing
The clock starts when you press Start and the clues appear, and stops when the board is correct. Time is measured on our server, not on your device. Closing the page does not stop the clock.
3. One attempt
Only your first attempt at each day's puzzle is recorded. You can replay it afterwards for practice; replays are never recorded.
4. Time limit
Each puzzle has a 10-minute limit. A day on which you exceed the limit, or do not reach the correct board, counts as incomplete and cannot be used for scoring.
5. Rounds and scoring
A round is seven days, Monday to Sunday. The Cup has three or two rounds, depending on when it starts (see Entry). Your round score is the sum of your best 5 daily times in that round; a smaller total ranks higher. You need at least 5 completed days to be ranked in a round. Rounds do not accumulate: each round starts from zero, and a player who joins in the last round competes on equal terms.
6. Ties
Ties within a round are broken by more completed days, then by the smaller single best time, then by the earlier completion time of the last counted puzzle.
7. Qualifying for the final
Ten finalists. With three rounds: the top 3 of each round (9) plus 1 wildcard. With two rounds: the top 5 of each round. If a player has already qualified in an earlier round, the slot passes to the next player in that round. The wildcard is the best remaining player by highest round placement, then by the smallest ratio of their round score to that round's winner. Finalists are notified by email and must confirm attendance by Dec 15 (Tue); otherwise the slot passes to the next player.
8. The final
The final is played live online at the scheduled time. Finalists join a video call with their camera on and solve three new puzzles (7×7, 8×8, 10×10) released simultaneously, with limits of 8, 10 and 12 minutes. The final ranking is the sum of the three times; an unfinished puzzle counts as its full limit. A tie is decided by a 5×5 tiebreak puzzle. Round results do not carry over into the final. Prizes are decided only by the final.
9. Fairness
Everyone gets the same puzzle, shown in a different orientation per player. One entry per person. We review the move logs of top-ranked players and the final is played on camera. Where our own systems fail, we void that day for everyone rather than adjust individual results.
10. Not allowed
Multiple entries or shared accounts; bots, scripts, solvers or screen-reading tools; publishing or sharing the day's picture or solution; outside help during the final; turning the camera off in the final. These lead to removal from the standings and forfeiture of any prize (see the Terms).
11. Results and names
Standings show display names and times only. We never publish email addresses, real names or locations unless you publish them yourself.
12. Changes
If a day has to be voided (outage, a faulty puzzle, a leaked solution), we announce it on this page the same day. The round then uses the remaining days; if two days are voided, the round uses the best 4. The organiser's decisions on results are final, subject to the appeal process in the Terms.
Eligibility
Eligibility
- You have a free Certus IQ account with a confirmed email address. One account, one entry.
- You are 18 or older.
- You agree to the Certus IQ Cup Terms.
- One entry per person. Entries with multiple accounts are all voided.
- Officers and employees of enish, inc., people involved in promoting the Cup, and members of their households may play but are not ranked and cannot win prizes.
- Residents of countries or regions where the prizes cannot lawfully be provided may play but cannot receive prizes.
Prizes
Prizes
1st place
¥250,000
Amazon gift card, ¥250,000
2nd place
¥100,000
Amazon gift card, ¥100,000
3rd place
¥50,000
Amazon gift card, ¥50,000
This campaign is provided by enish, inc. Amazon is not a sponsor of this campaign. Amazon, Amazon.co.jp and their logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
- Digital codes are sent to your registered email address within 5 business days after the final results are confirmed, by December 23, 2026 at the latest.
- If you live outside Japan and cannot use Amazon.co.jp, we will provide an equivalent gift card for your region.
- Any tax on prizes is the responsibility of the recipient. Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash or transferred.
Standings
Standings
No ranked players yet. You need 5 completed days in this round to appear here.
Announcements
Announcements
Nov 9 (Mon)
Schedule updated
Registration opens November 11 (Wed) at 10:00 and stays open until December 9 (Wed). If 100 players have registered by November 19 (Thu), Round 1 starts November 23 (Mon) with three rounds; otherwise, with at least 75 players by November 26 (Thu), it starts November 30 (Mon) with two rounds. The live final is on December 17 (Thu) at 20:00 JST. A free Certus IQ account is required.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Joining
Is there a fee?
No. There is no fee, purchase or subscription of any kind.
Do I need a Certus IQ account?
Yes. A free Certus IQ account is required; sign-up takes about a minute. The account is free for candidates and has no effect on your ranking.
Why do you need my email address?
Your account email is used for Cup notices (finalists, prizes) and, with your consent at registration, for Certus IQ announcements. You can unsubscribe from announcements at any time.
Can I join after the Cup has started?
Yes. Registration stays open until Dec 9, 23:59 (JST), also while rounds are under way. Each round starts from zero, and you need 5 completed days in a round to be ranked, so join by Wednesday to count that week.
When does the Cup start?
It depends on sign-ups. 100 players by Nov 19 (Thu): Round 1 starts Nov 23 (Mon), three rounds. Otherwise, at least 75 players by Nov 26 (Thu): Round 1 starts Nov 30 (Mon), two rounds. Fewer than 75: the Cup is cancelled. The final stays on Dec 17 (Thu).
Can I play from outside Japan?
Yes. The puzzle changes at 00:00 Japan time and is available for 24 hours.
Is there an age limit?
You must be 18 or older.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes, in the browser. No app to install.
Is it available in English and Japanese?
Yes. The puzzle itself uses no words; the page is available in both languages.
Playing
What kind of puzzle is it?
A picture-logic puzzle: fill squares according to the numbers until a picture appears. Most people solve a day's puzzle in around 90 seconds once they know the rules.
When does a new puzzle come out?
Every day at 00:00 JST. You can play until 23:59 JST.
How many times can I play each day?
Only your first attempt is recorded. You can replay afterwards for practice.
When does the timer start and stop?
It starts when you press Start and the clues appear, and stops when the board is correct. Our server measures it, so your device's clock does not matter.
What if I close the page halfway?
The clock keeps running. Come back and continue; the time away is included.
What if I make a mistake?
Just fix it. The puzzle is complete when every number is satisfied; mistakes only cost you time.
Is there a time limit?
10 minutes per puzzle. After that the day counts as incomplete.
Are there hints?
No hints during the Cup.
Can I solve it together with a friend?
Not during the Cup. Sharing solutions is grounds for removal.
My board looks different from my friend's.
That is by design. Everyone gets the same puzzle, rotated or flipped per player.
Standings and final
How are standings calculated?
Each round, your best 5 daily times out of 7 are added together. Smaller is better.
Am I at a disadvantage if I miss two days?
No. Only your best 5 days count. If you miss 3 or more days you are not ranked that round, but it has no effect on the next round.
Do early players have an advantage?
No. Scores do not accumulate across rounds. The top players of every round go to the final, so a player who joins in the last round has the same chance.
What happens on a tie?
More completed days wins, then the smaller single best time, then the earlier completion of the last counted puzzle.
Who goes to the final?
Ten players: with three rounds, the top 3 of each round plus 1 wildcard; with two rounds, the top 5 of each round. A player who already qualified passes the slot to the next player.
When and where is the final?
Dec 17 (Thu) 20:00 JST, online. Finalists join a video call with their camera on and solve three new puzzles at the same time. It takes about 45 minutes.
What if I cannot attend the final?
The slot passes to the next-ranked player. Finalists cannot send a substitute.
Why is a camera required in the final?
Because prizes are at stake, we confirm that each finalist is solving the puzzles themselves. The video is not published; it is kept only as a record of the judging.
Do round results count in the final?
No. The final is decided by the three final puzzles only.
Can I watch the final?
Yes. The standings on this page update live during the final.
Prizes
What are the prizes?
Amazon gift cards: ¥250,000 for 1st, ¥100,000 for 2nd and ¥50,000 for 3rd place in the final.
Can I get cash instead?
No. Prizes are digital gift card codes only.
When and how do I receive a prize?
By email to your registered address, after the results are confirmed, by December 23, 2026 at the latest.
I live outside Japan. Can I receive a prize?
Yes. If Amazon.co.jp is not usable where you live, we provide an equivalent gift card for your region.
Are prizes taxable?
Any tax on prizes is the responsibility of the recipient. We cannot give individual tax advice.
Does anything I do on Certus IQ affect my prize?
No. Prizes depend only on your puzzle results.
Data and Certus IQ
What happens to my email address?
Your Certus IQ account is governed by the Certus IQ Privacy Policy. Cup play data (times, boards, move logs) is deleted on January 31, 2027.
What is Certus IQ?
A career platform for Web3 and cybersecurity talent, operated by enish, inc. It is free for candidates.
Does my Cup result affect hiring?
No. The puzzle is not an assessment of professional ability.
How do I contact the organiser?
cup@certus-iq.io. We reply within 2 business days. For personal-data questions: certus-iq-privacy@enish.com.
Terms
Certus IQ Cup — Terms of Entry
Read the full terms
Certus IQ Cup — Terms of Entry
Last updated: November 9, 2026
The Japanese version prevails if the two versions differ.
1. Organiser
The Certus IQ Cup (the "Cup") is organised by enish, inc. ("we", "us"), 6-1-20 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
2. What the Cup is
The Cup is an online contest in which entrants solve the Certus Proof picture-logic puzzle and are ranked by the time taken to reach the correct solution, under the Rules published on the Cup page (the "Rules"). The Rules form part of these Terms.
3. Schedule
The schedule (practice period, registration period, start checks, up to three weekly rounds, confirmation of finalists, live final, prize delivery) is published on the Cup page. We may change the schedule for operational reasons and will announce any change on the Cup page.
4. Eligibility
(a) You must be 18 years of age or older. (b) One entry per person; entries using more than one account are all void. (c) Officers and employees of enish, inc., persons engaged in promoting the Cup, and members of their households may play but are excluded from rankings and prizes. (d) Residents of countries or regions where the provision of the prizes is prohibited or restricted by law are excluded from prizes. (e) A free Certus IQ account with a confirmed email address is required. One account, one entry.
5. Entry
Entry is free. Entry requires a free Certus IQ account and registration on this page. Registration opens Nov 11, 10:00 and stays open until Dec 9, 23:59 (JST), also while rounds are under way. One account, one entry. The Cup starts once enough players have registered: if 100 players have registered by Nov 19 (Thu), Round 1 starts on Nov 23 (Mon) and there are three rounds. Otherwise, if at least 75 players have registered by Nov 26 (Thu), Round 1 starts on Nov 30 (Mon) and there are two rounds. If fewer than 75 players have registered by Nov 26 (Thu), the Cup is cancelled and we announce it on this page. The date of the live final does not change. Notices to finalists and prizes are sent to the account's email address.
6. Play, timing and scoring
Play, timing, round scoring, qualification for the final and the conduct of the final are governed by the Rules. Timing is measured by our servers and our records are the authoritative record of play.
7. Prohibited conduct
The following are prohibited: multiple entries; using another person's entry or lending yours; use of bots, scripts, automated solvers, image-recognition tools or any software that solves or assists in solving the puzzle; publishing, sharing or obtaining the picture or solution of a current puzzle; receiving assistance from any other person during the final; turning off the camera or failing to respond to identity checks during the final; interfering with the service; and abusive conduct toward other entrants or the organiser.
8. Removal and forfeiture
We may remove results, void an entry or exclude an entrant from rankings and prizes where we reasonably determine that these Terms or the Rules have been breached, and may require the return of any prize already provided. We will notify the entrant by email with the reason. An entrant may object within 3 days of the notice; we will review the server record and respond.
9. Prizes
Prizes are Amazon gift cards (digital codes): 1st place ¥250,000, 2nd place ¥100,000, 3rd place ¥50,000, awarded to the top three of the final. Prizes are sent to the registered email address after final confirmation of the results, by December 23, 2026. Where an entrant residing outside Japan cannot use Amazon.co.jp, we will provide an equivalent gift card usable in their region. Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash, transferred or substituted at the entrant's request. Any tax on prizes is the responsibility of the recipient. This campaign is provided by enish, inc. Amazon is not a sponsor of this campaign.
10. Personal data
Cup entry uses your Certus IQ account; the account and its data are governed by the Certus IQ Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. For the Cup we additionally record your display name, country (optional), acceptance of these Terms, play records (times, submitted boards and move logs), hashed IP addresses and browser information, used to operate the Cup, keep entries to one per person, detect misuse, contact finalists and deliver prizes. By registering you consent to receive Certus IQ announcements by email; you may withdraw this consent at any time via the link in each email or your account settings, without affecting your entry. Cup play records are deleted on January 31, 2027, except where retention is required by law. Data-protection enquiries: certus-iq-privacy@enish.com.
11. Publication of results
Standings and results show display names and times. We may publish the display names and times of finalists and winners on the Cup page and our official channels. We do not publish email addresses, real names or locations unless you publish them yourself.
12. Service availability
We may suspend or void a day's puzzle in the event of a service failure, a defective puzzle or a leaked solution, and will announce this on the Cup page. We are not responsible for an entrant's inability to play owing to their own device, network or circumstances, except where caused by our wilful misconduct or gross negligence.
13. Changes and cancellation
We may amend these Terms, the Rules or the schedule, or cancel or suspend the Cup, where necessary for legal, operational or security reasons. Amendments are announced on the Cup page and apply from the time of publication; material amendments do not reduce prizes already won.
14. Intellectual property
The puzzles, pictures, names, software and all other content of the Cup are owned by enish, inc. or its licensors. You may share the result card produced by the service; you may not reproduce or distribute puzzles or solutions.
15. Governing law and jurisdiction
These Terms are governed by the laws of Japan. The Tokyo District Court has exclusive jurisdiction in the first instance over any dispute arising from the Cup.
16. Contact
Certus IQ Cup, enish, inc.: cup@certus-iq.io.
Contact
Contact
Questions about the Cup: cup@certus-iq.io (reply within 2 business days). Personal data: certus-iq-privacy@enish.com. Disputes about times or rankings are answered from the server record.
This campaign is provided by enish, inc. Amazon is not a sponsor of this campaign.