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Protmušis (which means Mindfight in Lithuanian) is a team quiz-type game (where the teams play against each other) that takes place in Vilnius, Lithuania. The organisers and participants of Protmušis are mainly students of various universities and colleges of Vilnius. As of now, all major universities and colleges of Vilnius are represented in Protmušis (including all the faculties of Vilnius University, some faculties of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius Pedagogical University and the Vilnius College); in addition, some people who had already graduated and those who are not yet studying in universities takes part in the competition as well. Protmušis was organized for the first time in 1997. Over 170 people (26 teams) chosen to participate in the seventh season of Protmušis, which started in February of 2006.
Rules
In every match of Protmušis two teams play against each other. At any given moment no less than three and not more than five people could play for a single team (although it is permitted to register up to eight team members in which case different team members could play at different matches). During the match ten pre-prepared questions are shown on the large screen in the front of the hall (the questions are of such a style that in order to answer them one needs both general knowledge and the ability to think logically). After the host reads each question, the timer of one minute starts - during that one minute players are permitted to discuss the possible answers with the fellow members of their team and to think. Once one of the teams believes that they already know the correct answer, the team presses a button to stop the timer and says the answer loudly. If the host and/or the referee accepts the answer as correct, the full answer is shown on the screen and the team is awarded a point. If not, the timer of one minute is restarted and the other team is permitted to continue searching for the answer and to tell their attempt to answer the question. The team that has more points after all the ten questions were read is declared winner. If both teams have an equal ammount of points at that time, the match ends in a draw. The draw is only possible in the regular season; if such a situation happens during the playoffs, an overtime is played: additional questions are given to the teams until the first correct answer - at that point the team which answered correctly is declared to be a winner.
In the semi-finals 12 questions are presented in each game rather than 10. In the finals there are 15 questions.
System of the tournament
Every year two tournaments (seasons) are held, each one lasting for approximately four months (one in the winter and spring and one in the autumn and winter; the seasons are separated by the winter and summer holidays and the student exams).
Each season consists of the regular season and the playoffs. In the regular season all the participating teams are divided into groups. All teams in the same group has to play against each other. During these games, the winning team is given two points, and both teams are given one point each for a draw. The number of groups and the ammount of teams in each group depends on how many teams participates in Protmušis that particular season, therefore, the system varies somewhat from season to season. In the rules of the seventh season, two best teams of each group are permitted to participate in the playoffs, which consists of the quarterfinals, semi-finals and the final game in which the champion is being decided. There is no match for the third place.
In addition to the main tournament, various smaller games are being held: when neither of the playing teams answer the question correctly the spectators of Protmušis are permitted to give a try (after the season, the spectators who answered the most questions are being named), the best questions are voted for and the spectators and players who had created the most questions are named (anybody is permitted to send in the questions), all the players and spectators are asked additional questions where it is possible to win special prizes.
As of now, Protmušis is being held each Wednesday at 18:30 (Vilnius time) in the great hall of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Vilnius University. Anybody (including non-players and non-students) is permitted to come and watch the games, try their luck in answering the questions that teams are unable to answer or to support the teams of their faculty or institute. Each Wednesday four matches are played and it overally takes about two hours. All the questions and answers are presented in the Lithuanian language.
History
Protmušis was organised for the first time in 1997. It is organized regularly, two seasons a year, since 2003. Over the time Protmušis have expanded and improved greatly. The number of participating teams increased and so did the number of universities and faculties represented. The technology have improved (for example, special buttons that are available for teams changed simple hand-raising that used to be the only way of telling one's wish to answer), the number of organizers and the question authors have increased. Protmušis found many sponsors (such as Vaga, one of the biggest publishing houses in Lithuania) and therefore prizes are given now. The official internet website and forums were established and had improved, Protmušis was featured many times in the student press.
In the second season (autumn of 2003) 10 teams participated, all players were students of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Vilnius University.
In the third season (spring of 2004) 16 teams participated, representing various faculties,
In the fourth season (autumn of 2004) 15 teams participated.
In the fifth season (spring of 2005) 21 teams participated.
In the sixth season (autumn of 2005) 22 teams participated.
In the seventh season (spring of 2006) 26 teams (representing all the faculties of Vilnius University and the other universities of Vilnius) expressed their will to participate. Due to such a large number of teams preliminaries had to be organised. After the preliminary games, 20 teams won the right to participate in the main tournament.
As of now, each team may consist of five to eight players (no more than five players could play for the team in a match at any given time however). Protmušis is organised by the Scientific Community of the Students of Natural Sciences and other organizers.