Trying the puzzles from the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships

What we’ve learned from this video is that Kristin would destroy me, but I can hold my own against her mom 😅 If you want to support me continuing to make videos like this, head over to Patreon for all kinds of bonus puzzle videos! This week, I recorded a commentary track to the full solve of the final puzzle: patreon.com/karenpuzzles

Leave it to humans to take a calming, relaxing activity and make it as stressful as possible, lolll. Loved this

As an specialist in times analysing (I cover personally a lot of spanish speedpuzzling championships), I tell you Karen that if you participated in the Spanish Championship, you'd be top 10 without a doubt! You are comparing yourself with Alejandro, Kristin, Katerina and other stars from the top-top, but I think that if you work on some training, you'll be even better at this kind of competition, with a lot of skill to gain. If you haven't tried speedpuzzling before, besides the exhibition with Tammy, I tell you the results are EXCELLENT and I'm sure you would make a great career out of this. The strategies are correct, you don't have to look at the box, the building is really natural and most of us are faster at real championships that at home. Putting all pieces up nearly costs 3-4 minutes, for example, and you do this also well. I was during 3 years top 10 in Spain in speedpuzzling (2016-2018) and compare to my times in those puzzles, you are definitely better! (0:52-1:00-1:08-1:07) I encourage you to go on on this!! In San Diego you'll make it big, like the Beach Boys sing.

LMAO that little clip comparing the alejandro and kristin energy was so funny! I did not expect it at all, but it was such an accurate (and funny) way to show each one’s strategy

For training, I would have a friend pick up several new puzzles for you and put each in a bag, so you're going into practice blind. Maybe have them peruse your Ravensburger collection first so they don't pick out ones you've completed before, or set up a shared Amazon wishlist of puzzles you've never worked before that they can select from. You'll improve with each one, I'm sure!

I’m 46 years old and don’t think I’ve done a jigsaw puzzle since I was a teen, but because of your channel I just ordered the Floral Reflections puzzle (using your link!). I will time myself and then edit this comment with my embarrassing time. I figure if nothing else it should be a nice ego boost for you :) Edit (several days later): Okay, so I just finished, and it took me 4 hours, 3 minutes, and 32 seconds. My strategy was to separate the pieces into colors (that part alone took me 33 minutes!). Like you, I started with red and did each color separately from left to right, water first. The blue was the easiest and the purple was the hardest. My back hurts. Haha

i discovered Karen about a month ago, and since have watched pretty much every single one of her videos for the past two years, so I’m so happy there is finally a new video!!

Lol that edit at 22:30 between Alejandro & Kristin was so unexpectedly hilarious🤣

It would have been so funny had Kristin raced the Try Guys. Alejandro would have beat them by even more but the energy contrast between Kristin and them would have been hilarious.

YouTube randomly suggested this channel about....3 weeks ago. I've now watched nearly every video from the last 3 years, renewed my love of puzzles, gotten a puzzle rental subscription, joined JPAUSA, and started thinking about how I can puzzle faster. Its all your fault, Karen. Thank you ☺

Alejandro looks like one of the 2% of humans who can actually multitask. It’s a very good example of a mind working on 2 things at once successfully.

You forgot the two puzzle trays that you're allowed in the competition. It makes a big difference. Use the Clear Acrylic Tray so you can see through as you move it around and over the puzzle.

I have now tried the three puzzles. These are my times: - London Postcard: 1:35:28 (450 pieces at 1,5 hours = 71st of 85 contestants) - Floral Reflections: 2:08:40 (347 pieces at 1,5 hours = 65th of 80 contestants) - My Loyal Friends: 2:05:17 (360 pieces at 1,5 hours = 68th of 78 contestants) That was fun. Thanks for inspiring me. Just like you I also did Floral Reflections after London Postcard which was a mistake - especially since it starting getting dark outside and that made it a bit harder without bright daylight. My Loyal Friends was done the day after :)

I kind of want to do this! I honestly have no idea how fast I’d be since I rarely do 500 piece puzzles. 45-55 minutes seems so fast! But I’m usually doing 1,000 to 2,000 pieces.

Speed puzzling is soo different than just doing puzzles. I don't think I have it in me to do speed puzzling at all!! I'm super impressed with how you did. I was going to ask if your back and neck hurt from puzzling all of the time. I know I definitely get more stiff when I'm doing puzzles several days in a row.

I am loving this series - who knew there was such a thing as a puzzling competition? Karen, I blame you for my serious problem with puzzle hoarding that I started! I tend to work on puzzles for an hour or two after work, so the last puzzle I did (Piecework Omsomnia 1000 pieces) took me four days! My strategy for the competition would be to not sign up in the first place lol… good luck and I can’t wait to see that video!!!

Karen! I went to a thrift store yesterday and found 4 old springbok/Eaton/Ravensburger puzzles for 2 dollars!!! They look so pretty!! Especially the Eaton Temptation puzzle i got. It's a Strawberry cheesecake. I'm going to start it now! I'm so excited thank you for introducing me to these cool puzzles!!!! Edit: Strategy

For not having practiced speed puzzling, I thought you did an amazing job. If you practiced speed puzzling and developed an effective strategy, which I know you could, I am confident you could do well in the championship. Best of luck in San Diego!

I think Speed Puzzling is really funny because Puzzling itself is like a calm and relaxing activity and then Speed Puzzlers are like "Yeah but what if puzzling was stressful instead??" :D

Don't feel embarrassed when comparing yourself with Kristen, use "humbled" instead. Your performance is impressive in its own right.