All About the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship & Where to Get The Puzzles!
These days, there are a variety of different puzzle competitions happening nationally and internationally. The first US national competition was hosted last October (2022) by the USA Jigsaw Puzzle Association and their next puzzle competition is happening in March of 2024.
Watch the documentary, Wicker Kittens, to learn all about jigsaw puzzle competitions and how they got started! Now let’s talk about the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship for 2023!
What is the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship?
The World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship is an annual event organized by the World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation. This international puzzle championship was started in 2019 in Valladolid, Spain, and has since hosted the competition in 2022 and 2023. It’s like the Olympics, but for puzzling! You can catch up on the live streams here!
What are the events?
There are 3 events that take place: individual, pairs, and teams. Placement is determined by the fastest puzzle completion within the time limit (normally 90 minutes). For the puzzle competitors that don’t finish within the time limit, the remaining pieces are counted to determine their placement.
- Teams event: 4 people complete multiple puzzles (1000 or 1500 pieces) within the time limit
- Pairs event: 2 people complete a single puzzle (500 or 1000 pieces) within the time limit
- Individual event: Each individual completes a 500-piece puzzle within the time limit
In the first championships in 2019, only one final round was played in each event. There was a pause from 2020–2021 due to COVID. In the 2022 championships, semifinals were introduced in all events. This year, 2023, there was an increase in participants so another round has been added prior to the semifinals to determine qualification for the individual event.
Are there prizes?
Once the team finals are completed, an awards ceremony takes place. The first three winners in each category receive a trophy and a cash prize.
- Individual: 1st place: € 1,000 ($1066.08 US), 2nd place: € 500 ($533.04 US), and 3rd place: € 250 ($266.52 US). 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th place: Ravensburger puzzle.
- Pairs: 1st place: € 1,000 ($1066.08 US), 2nd place: € 500 ($533.04 US), and 3rd place: € 250 ($266.52 US). 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th place: Ravensburger puzzles.
- Teams: 1st place: € 1,000 ($1066.08 US), 2nd place: € 500 ($533.04 US), and 3rd place: € 250 ($266.52 US). 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th place: pack of Ravensburger puzzles.
What are the puzzles?
Since 2019, Ravenburger has been the puzzle sponsor for the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships. Each of the qualifying and semifinal rounds features a Ravensburger puzzle that has already been released. For the final round, the puzzles featured by Ravenburger are unreleased. They use a variety of different puzzle image types from landscapes/nature, colorful/rainbow, graphic illustrations, collages, pets/animals, and many other types of images.
World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship 2023 Puzzles
If you’ve never speed-puzzled before and want to go to competitions in the future, check out the puzzles below and see how you match up with the competitors! It would be cool to see how you stack up against other puzzler participants. I’ll share the top 3 winners, but you can see the full ranks at the links below. Results and puzzles will be updated as they are made available.
All of the puzzles will be linked below from Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. These purchases help me produce more content and giveaways for my followers! #CommissionsEarned
Individual
This year, there are 993 individuals and 56 countries represented at the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship. The majority of puzzlers are from Spain, the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Norway, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Sweden, and Australia.
Classification Individual First Round A | Results
Lupin, Ravensburger (Nature Edition), 500-pieces
- Mercédesz Arthofer, Hungary, 44:59
- Kristin Thuv, Norway, 47:50
- Delia Keetman-Verhoef, Netherlands, 49:20
Classification Individual First Round B | Results
New York City Postcard, Ravensburger, 500-pieces
- Tereza Koptíková, Czech Republic, 30:38
- Kelly Walter, United States, 38:18
- Andrea Peng, United States, 38:40
Classification Individual First Round C | Results
The Archaeologist’s Desk, Aimee Stewart, Ravensburger, 500-pieces
- Ana Gil Luciano, Spain, 40:46
- Chiara Dellantonio, Germany, 42:22
- Tiffany Medeiros, United States, 45:35
Classification Individual First Round D | Results
Evening in Pisa, Ravensburger, 500-pieces
- Alejandro Clemente León, Spain, 33:35
- Katharina Reiner, Germany, 33:51
- Tammy McLeod, United States, 45:12
Classification Individual First Round E | Results
Spring in Paris, Ravensburger, 500-pieces
- Laura Aizpurua de Arteche, Spain, 47:25
- Brigitta Vinkler, Hungary, 47:45
- Markéta Freislerová, Czech Republic, 48:32
Classification Individual First Round F | Results
Summer Thunderstorms, Ravensburger (Nature Edition), 500-pieces, Panorama
- Soraya Pérez Carayol, Spain, 49:58
- Jaxeline Blanco Ruiz, Spain, 52:49
- Vanda Varga, Hungary, 56:19
Classification Individual Semifinal 1 S1 | Results
Circle of Colors: Poke Bowl, Ravensburger, 500-pieces
- Kristin Thuv, Norway, 45:22
- Mercédesz Arthofer, Hungary, 46:42
- Tereza Koptíková, Czech Republic, 47:58
Classification Individual Semifinal 2 S2 | Results
Circle of Colors: Ocean, Ravensburger, 500-pieces
- Alejandro Clemente León, Spain, 36:46
- Sarah Schuler, United States, 39:15
- Gisela Arranz Toro, Spain, 43:39
Classification Individual Final | Results
Marzamemi, Sicily, Ravensburger, 500-pieces
- Alejandro Clemente León, Spain, 37:59
- Kristin Thuv, Norway, 38:32
- Markéta Freislerová, Czech Republic, 42:34
Pairs
This year, there are 349 pairs (698 participants) and 50 countries represented at the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship. The majority of the pairs puzzlers are from Spain, the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Norway.
Classification Pairs Qualifying Round A | Results
Student Days, Ravensburger, 500-pieces
- Tereza Koptíková & Markéta Freislerová, Czech Republic, 32:20
- Sarah Schuler & Michaela Keener, United States, 33:01
- Ednéia Silveira & Daniela De Oliveira Dinato, Brazil, 33:16
Classification Pairs Qualifying Round B | Results
The Ludicrous Library, Colin Thompson, Ravensburger, 500-pieces
- Sara Kristersson & Tobias Priemer, Sweden, 37:38
- Kristin Thuv & Siv Bremnes, Norway, 41:16
- Ana Isabel Jimeno Jordá & Ana Gil Luciano, Spain, 43:41
Classification Pairs Qualifying Round C | Results
Colourful Underwater Species, Ravensburger, 500-pieces
- Gisela Arranz Toro & Alejandro Clemente León, Spain, 33:15
- Clara Peng & Andrea Peng, United States, 36:32
- Soraya Pérez Carayol & Gabriel Moreno Turcu, Spain, 37:38
Classification Pairs Final | Results
Boston 2189, Jack Ottanio, Ravensburger, 1000-pieces
- Gisela Arranz Toro & Alejandro Clemente León, Spain, 01:32:18
- Sarah Schuler & Michaela Keener, United States, 01:46:37
- Tereza Koptíková & Markéta Freislerová, Czech Republic, 01:47:24
Teams
This year, there are 160 groups (640 participants) and 37 countries represented at the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship. The majority of the teams are from Spain, the United States, France, Germany, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. In the qualifying rounds, there are 4 puzzle options, and teams chose 2 1000-piece puzzles to complete.
Classification Teams Qualifying Round A | Results
The Shell Collector, Ravensburger, 1000-pieces
Ladies’ Brunch, Ravensburger, 1000-pieces
Riverside Town, Ravensburger, 1000-pieces
Nights in Berlin, Ravensburger, 1000-pieces
- Las Chicas Checas: Tereza Koptíková, Markéta Freislerová, Eva Žemličková, Helen Karmínová Kellner, Czech Republic, 1:20:08
- Puzzle Hustle: Dawne Rasmusson, Andrea Kyle, Kyle Kossin, Kelly Walter, United States, 1:20:16
- Non Stop: Ana Gil Luciano, Ana Isabel Jimeno Jordá, Alejandro Clemente León, David Caballero Calzado, Spain, 1:27:32
Classification Teams Qualifying Round B | Results
A Day in Paris, Ravensburger, 1000-pieces
West Coast Tranquillity, Ravensburger Canadian Collection, 1000-pieces
The 50s, Ravensburger, 1000-pieces
L’iosa di Burano, Ravensburger, 1000-pieces
- The Misfits: Sarah Schuler, Michaela Keener, Elizabeth Caron
Karen Kavett, United States, 1:15:46 - Eckteile: Chiara Dellantonio, Nicola Giordani, Isabelle Gall, Michael Smit, Germany, 1:24:49
- Sin Limites: Rafael Amieva Gómez, Laura Aizpurua de Arteche, Eduardo Moreno Turcu,
Gabriel Moreno Turcu, Spain, 1:27:02
Classification Teams Final | Results
Puzzle People, Marie Boiseau, Ravensburger, 1000-pieces
Arearea (The Red Dog), Paul Gauguin, Art Collection, Ravensburger, 1000-pieces
- Las Chicas Checas: Tereza Koptíková, Markéta Freislerová, Eva Žemličková, Helen Karmínová Kellner, Czech Republic, 1:30:25
- The Misfits: Sarah Schuler, Michaela Keener, Elizabeth Caron, Karen Kavett, United States, 1:33:25
- Non Stop: Ana Gil Luciano, Ana Isabel Jimeno Jordá, Alejandro Clemente León, David Caballero Calzado, Spain, 1:37:16
A Bonus Puzzle: Guinness World Records Puzzle
Guinness World Records, Ravensburger, 1000-pieces
During the qualifying rounds for teams, there was a team of 8 puzzlers racing to complete the Guinness World Record panorama 2000-piece puzzle! The final record time was 1:24:04. This puzzle was completed by: Katharina Reiner (Germany), Tereza Koptíková and Markéta Freislerová (Czeck Republic), Kelly Walter (United States), Melissa Townsend (Australia), Sophie De Goncourt (France), and Ana Gil Luciano and Soraya Pérez (Spain).
Upcoming Jigsaw Puzzle Competitions
- October 14th, 2023 | USA Southeast Regional Speed Puzzling Championship, Atlanta, GA | Individuals, Pairs & Teams $36–70
- November 4th, 2023 | California State Speed Puzzling Championship, Redwood City, CA | Individuals, Pairs & Teams $36–70
- January 27th, 2024 | Saint Paul Winter Carnival, Saint Paul, MN | Pairs & Teams $40–60 | PuzzleTwist® Puzzles
- March 22–24, 2024 | USA Jigsaw Nationals, San Diego, CA | Individuals, Pairs & Teams | Ravensburger Puzzles
- Learn more at www.usajigsaw.org/usajpa-events, www.worldjigsawpuzzle.org, and www.speedpuzzling.com/in_person
Resources & Videos
- Wicker Kittens Documentary
- 10 Secrets to help you win the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships, Karen Puzzles
- I went to a puzzle competition. It was way harder than I thought., Karen Puzzles
- He won the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship. Here’s how he did it., Karen Puzzles
- The World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships are surprisingly intense., Karen Puzzles
- How to Host a Jigsaw Puzzle Competition, Springbok
- Welcome to the largest jigsaw puzzle championship EVER, Guinness World Records
