diff --git a/finbot/apps/ctf/routes/challenges.py b/finbot/apps/ctf/routes/challenges.py
index e421f220..86577c41 100644
--- a/finbot/apps/ctf/routes/challenges.py
+++ b/finbot/apps/ctf/routes/challenges.py
@@ -218,10 +218,10 @@ def check_challenge(
     Returns current progress status from the database. Detection happens
     in real-time through the event pipeline — this endpoint just reflects
     what has already been detected.
-    """
-    if not session_context:
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=401, detail="Authentication required")
 
+    Open to temporary sessions too, since the CTF can be played without
+    signing up.
+    """
     challenge_repo = ChallengeRepository(db)
     challenge = challenge_repo.get_challenge(challenge_id)
 
@@ -264,10 +264,10 @@ def use_hint(
     session_context: SessionContext = Depends(get_session_context),
     db: Session = Depends(get_db),
 ):
-    """Use the next available hint"""
-    if not session_context:
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=401, detail="Authentication required")
+    """Use the next available hint.
 
+    Open to temporary sessions too, since hints are meant for all players.
+    """
     challenge_repo = ChallengeRepository(db)
     challenge = challenge_repo.get_challenge(challenge_id)
 
diff --git a/tests/unit/apps/ctf/test_challenge_auth.py b/tests/unit/apps/ctf/test_challenge_auth.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d6c4d565
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/apps/ctf/test_challenge_auth.py
@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+"""Tests for the challenge check/hint endpoints (#514).
+
+Both endpoints had an `if not session_context` check that could never be
+true, because get_session_context always returns a session (temporary or
+not). The check has been removed. Temporary sessions are allowed on purpose,
+since the CTF can be played without signing up.
+"""
+
+import inspect
+import json
+from types import SimpleNamespace
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
+import pytest
+from fastapi import FastAPI
+from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
+
+from finbot.apps.ctf.routes import challenges
+from finbot.core.auth.middleware import get_session_context
+from finbot.core.data.database import get_db
+
+
+def _session_deps(func):
+    sig = inspect.signature(func)
+    return [
+        p.default.dependency for p in sig.parameters.values() if hasattr(p.default, "dependency")
+    ]
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def anon_client(monkeypatch):
+    """Client with a temporary session and mocked repositories."""
+    challenge = SimpleNamespace(
+        id="test-challenge",
+        hints=json.dumps([{"text": "Look at the invoice notes", "cost": 10}]),
+    )
+    challenge_repo = MagicMock()
+    challenge_repo.get_challenge.return_value = challenge
+
+    progress_repo = MagicMock()
+    progress_repo.get_progress.return_value = None
+    progress_repo.use_hint.return_value = SimpleNamespace(hints_cost=10)
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(challenges, "ChallengeRepository", lambda db: challenge_repo)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        challenges, "UserChallengeProgressRepository", lambda db, ctx: progress_repo
+    )
+
+    app = FastAPI()
+    app.include_router(challenges.router)
+    app.dependency_overrides[get_session_context] = lambda: SimpleNamespace(is_temporary=True)
+    app.dependency_overrides[get_db] = lambda: None
+
+    return TestClient(app), progress_repo
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_check_works_for_temporary_session(anon_client):
+    client, progress_repo = anon_client
+
+    response = client.post("/api/v1/challenges/test-challenge/check")
+
+    assert response.status_code == 200
+    assert response.json()["status"] == "available"
+    progress_repo.record_attempt.assert_called_once_with("test-challenge")
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_hint_works_for_temporary_session(anon_client):
+    client, _ = anon_client
+
+    response = client.post("/api/v1/challenges/test-challenge/hint")
+
+    assert response.status_code == 200
+    assert response.json()["hint_text"] == "Look at the invoice notes"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("endpoint", [challenges.check_challenge, challenges.use_hint])
+def test_endpoints_use_regular_session_dependency(endpoint):
+    assert get_session_context in _session_deps(endpoint)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("endpoint", [challenges.check_challenge, challenges.use_hint])
+def test_dead_session_check_removed(endpoint):
+    assert "if not session_context" not in inspect.getsource(endpoint)