10 Years of Competitive Programming: Brutal Truths, Tips & How Effort Beats Talent

Summary

This candid talk emphasizes effort, practice, and implementation over innate intelligence. The speaker argues that competitive programming success comes from building knowledge through repeated problem-solving and refining code, not memorizing theory. Using personal anecdotes—from solving thousands of Codeforces problems to Iranian olympiad experiences—they show how familiarity with patterns turns ‘intelligence’ tasks into learned skills. Practical advice includes learning minimal, reusable tools, standardizing implementations (e.g., DFS or sack), studying others’ solutions, and iterating submissions for cleaner code. Ultimately, persistence and careful practice outweigh raw talent: try hard, focus on implementation, and steadily expand useful knowledge.

Takeaways

• 😀 Intelligence alone is not enough for success in competitive programming; knowledge and efficient implementation matter more.
• 😀 Solving a large number of problems helps build valuable knowledge and boosts problem-solving speed, even if the problems aren't inherently difficult.
• 😀 Consistency and repetition in solving problems strengthen your understanding and lead to better results over time.
• 😀 Learn from others' solutions to improve your own coding efficiency and discover new techniques.
• 😀 It’s important to master implementation techniques and tools that work for your level before moving on to more complex methods.
• 😀 Focus on practical problem-solving rather than just memorizing algorithms and tools. Applying what you've learned is key.
• 😀 Try to solve problems with simpler methods and tools first, before jumping to more advanced techniques, to avoid overcomplicating the problem.
• 😀 Hard work and effort over time can surpass innate intelligence. The more you practice and learn, the more you'll improve.
• 😀 Avoid the trap of memorizing tools and algorithms without understanding their practical application. Stick to the basics and build knowledge through experience.
• 😀 Competitive programming success isn't just about intelligence—it’s about dedication, implementation skills, and the ability to learn and adapt from experience.

Q & A

What is the main message about intelligence versus knowledge in competitive programming?

The speaker emphasizes that competitive programming is more about knowledge and implementation rather than innate intelligence. By solving many problems, you accumulate knowledge that can be applied to future problems, making you faster and more efficient, even without extraordinary intelligence.

How did the speaker describe their approach to solving problems in competitive programming?

The speaker mentions using knowledge from solving thousands of problems, rather than relying on intelligence alone. They advocate for repeating problem types to internalize solutions and improve speed and accuracy, rather than reinventing the wheel each time.

Why is implementation so important according to the speaker?

Implementation is crucial because it directly affects how efficiently and quickly you can solve problems. The speaker highlights that even if two competitors are equally knowledgeable, if one is slower in implementation, they will lose the contest.

What role does creativity play at higher competitive programming levels?

At higher levels, such as ratings above 2500, creativity becomes a major factor. By then, competitors are expected to be perfect in both knowledge and implementation, and the remaining challenge is to improve one's intelligence and creativity to solve more complex problems.

What did the speaker suggest about learning new techniques and tools?

The speaker advises not to overcomplicate things by learning too many new tools or techniques at once. Instead, they recommend mastering basic tools and techniques first, then slowly and carefully expanding one's toolkit as needed.

How does the speaker view memorization in competitive programming?

The speaker defends memorization, arguing that it is not a sign of a lack of intelligence. Memorization of certain patterns, algorithms, and solutions allows a programmer to quickly apply known solutions and improve efficiency, which is a key aspect of competitive programming.

What is the significance of reviewing other people's solutions?

The speaker stresses the importance of learning from others. By reviewing other people's solutions, one can discover more efficient or creative ways to solve problems, thereby enhancing their own implementation skills.

How did the speaker explain their approach to learning and improving over time?

The speaker emphasizes continuous improvement through consistent practice. By solving problems, analyzing solutions, and reflecting on personal performance, one can build both speed and accuracy over time, eventually becoming proficient at competitive programming.

What does the speaker mean by 'intelligence factor gets lower over time'?

The speaker believes that as time passes, raw intelligence becomes less important in determining success, while effort and perseverance (the 'try factor') become more crucial. This shift means that hard work and dedication eventually outweigh natural intelligence in the long run.

Why did the speaker mention the example of segment trees and sparse tables?

The speaker uses segment trees and sparse tables as examples to illustrate the concept of overestimating the complexity of a problem. They suggest trying to solve problems using simpler tools, even if more complex ones are available, to develop a stronger problem-solving mindset and avoid relying on over-engineered solutions.