The International Solving Contest (ISC) is an annual event that normally occurs in January. It started in 2005. Simultaneously at venues in all competing countries, solvers sit down to solve the same set of chess problems and endgame studies. Spread between two rounds of two hours each, it consists of 2 mates in two (#2), 2 mates in three (#3), 2 moremovers (#n), 2 endgame studies, 2 helpmates (h#) and 2 selfmates (s#). There is a break of an hour between rounds. The event is rated. In Great Britain there are usually two venues – normally Kingston-upon-Thames and Sheffield. I am the local organiser of the Sheffield venue.