A couple of months ago I learned about puzzle chess when I was doing some online window shopping for puzzles; I saw that Cobble Hill has a line of 100 piece jigsaw puzzles specifically designed to be perfect for the game of puzzle chess. Being intrigued, and loving to read and see and know as much about my beloved jigsaw puzzles as I can, of course I had to check it out.

I learned it’s a very simple game, the rules are few and easy to learn and anyone can have a game up and running in no time at all. So of course I wanted to play it, because it sounded to me like lots of fun – and I finally got the chance to play it last Friday with my bestest puzzle pal Penny when we met together for the first time. Wanna know something? I had a really good time and loved playing it with her, so I’m excited to tell all my tens of readers about it!

How long has puzzle chess been around? I have no idea. Like I said I only heard about it for the first time a few months ago. If you’re someone who participates in competitions you’ve probably seen it played, or at least know about it as there are competitions for it right alongside the regular puzzle competitions. The USA Jigsaw Puzzle Association has it’s rules and game play instructions on it’s website, so anyone can learn and play. Interested?

Want to learn puzzle chess? Here’s what you’ll need – a jigsaw puzzle, 200 pieces or less works best, a chess timer (or a chess timer app on your phone), and paper or something to cover up the pieces. Penny and I didn’t cover the pieces, but I’m telling you that’s part of the rules according to the JPA. Apparently the game can be one on one, or two versus two. Whatever you like.

To get ready turn all the pieces face up, separate the border pieces and cover the rest. Assemble the border together. Now you’re ready to begin. Place the chess clock where all players can reach it and set it for 30 minutes for each player or team. Whoever has the most time remaining when the puzzle is finished wins; or if your timer runs out before your opponent, you lose.

The rules (according to the JPA) are as follows:

• Uncover the pieces, the first person to find a piece that connects to the border places it and hits their timer to start the clock
• Players alternate placing pieces, all pieces must connect to an already placed piece or the border
• You may only touch one loose piece at a time
• Once a piece has been placed, stop your timer which starts your opponent’s timer
• You may touch or try as many pieces as you want on your turn

So that’s it basically, five rules, a puzzle and a timer are all you need to play. Does it sound like fun? I thought so, so when Penny and I were making plans to meet for the first time ever I told her I’d love to try it with her. She agreed, and then I found an adorable 100 piece Halloween themed puzzle that was perfect for it.

Here we are, playing Puzzle Chess for the first time. It didn’t matter who won, we had a good time playing and that’s what was important to us. Neither of us are built for speed puzzling, that’s for sure. Being under the gun or the timer – it’s too much stress! Just a little bit of fun and a different way to puzzle, and happily we both enjoyed ourselves.

So that’s the game of Puzzle Chess. I think it would be a great game to play with anyone – a child, a senior, your partner, anyone who enjoys jigsaw puzzles basically. I’m definitely going to try and get hubby and my son interested, I think they’d enjoy it too. I’d better watch out though, they’re both WAAAAYYY more competitive than I am.

Still, it should be fun, and having fun spending time with my loved ones is what it’s all about. 💖