Solving Strategies - jigsawdust

Sorting the Pieces

Edge Pieces First: The edge-first strategy is common because it creates a defined border, making the puzzle more manageable. For example, if you have a 1,000-piece puzzle, start by separating all the pieces with straight edges. Once you complete the border, you’ll have a clear visual boundary to fill in. This strategy is especially useful when the puzzle has distinct edge colors, such as a black or white frame.
Color Sorting: Sorting pieces by color can help you focus on specific sections. For instance, in a landscape puzzle with a blue sky and green grass, group all the blue pieces together for the sky and all the green pieces for the grass. This reduces the need to constantly search through a pile of mixed pieces and helps you see patterns.
Shape Sorting: Sometimes color alone isn’t enough to differentiate pieces, especially in puzzles with a lot of repetitive colors or patterns (like a large field of flowers). In this case, sort pieces by shape—such as pieces with two tabs and two blanks, or pieces with one tab and three blanks. This makes it easier to find the piece that fits when you’re stuck on a particular section.

Begin with parts of the puzzle that stand out due to their uniqueness. For example, in a puzzle featuring a city skyline, focus on the easily recognizable buildings, such as a bright red bridge or a yellow skyscraper. These distinctive areas are usually easier to assemble because their pieces are more unique in color and design compared to other areas like a uniform sky or sea.

Working in sections can be highly effective, especially for large puzzles. For example, in a nature puzzle depicting a forest with a lake, start with the distinct areas like the lake first, then move on to the trees, and finally work on the background. By concentrating on these smaller sections, you avoid feeling overwhelmed by the whole puzzle and can piece together small victories as you go.

Frequently referring to the puzzle box image helps guide your progress. For example, if you’re assembling a puzzle of the Eiffel Tower, reference the image to identify where the tower meets the sky and the ground. Matching the pieces in these transitional areas can be easier when you have a visual guide. Additionally, the image can help you locate tricky patterns, like finding out exactly where a patch of green trees starts blending into the sky.

If you’re working on a difficult section where colors blend (like a large area of water), focus on the shapes of the pieces. For example, look for pieces with a very distinct tab or blank (the in and out shapes of the pieces). You may notice that the puzzle includes particularly long tabs or blanks that only fit certain spots. This can help you advance in areas where color isn’t much help.

This strategy involves focusing on distinct layers in the puzzle. For instance, in a puzzle of a mountain landscape, start by assembling the base layer of the mountain, such as the rocks, before moving on to the midsection with trees and snow. Finally, work your way up to the top of the mountain, which may consist of lighter colors or cloud formations. By solving in layers, you keep the puzzle process manageable and methodical.

When you’re stuck on a section where pieces don’t seem to fit, try rotating them. For example, in a puzzle of a sunflower, you might find that the yellow petal pieces don’t immediately seem to fit. By rotating the pieces, you can align the subtle edges with the correct places on the flower. This strategy is especially helpful in areas with repetitive colors or shapes, like tree leaves, waves, or sand dunes.

Advanced puzzlers often challenge themselves by solving the puzzle without relying on the box image. For example, in a mystery-themed puzzle, you could try solving it purely based on color and shape, without peeking at the final image. This makes the puzzle-solving process more about pattern recognition and spatial awareness, turning the puzzle into an even greater challenge.

Keeping your workspace organized is key to staying focused. For example, if you’re solving a 1,500-piece puzzle, it helps to have trays or bowls to sort your pieces by color or section (e.g., sky pieces in one tray, building pieces in another). Keeping pieces neatly sorted helps reduce frustration and makes it easier to focus on solving small chunks of the puzzle at a time.

Patience is essential, especially when working on difficult sections like an expansive blue sky or a monochrome puzzle. For example, while solving a 2,000-piece puzzle with a lot of repetitive elements, you might spend hours on a single section. The key is to take breaks when needed, come back with fresh eyes, and chip away at the challenging sections bit by bit. Staying persistent will eventually lead to success!