Why Are Some Jigsaw Puzzles Difficult to Solve?

People from all ages experience satisfaction during jigsaw puzzle assembly. Undoubtedly, every piece placed correctly in its proper place brings a smile to your face. Some jigsaw puzzles offer cognitive challenges that make some variety of puzzles difficult to solve. This article shows why and how to solve difficult puzzles.

What Makes Jigsaw Puzzles Difficult?

Difficult jigsaw puzzles have certain characteristics that make them challenging. Let’s take a glance at some of these which are explained below.

Large Number of Pieces

The piece count of your puzzle is often regarded as the basic way to measure the difficulty level. It is easy to solve fewer pieces of puzzles. This is why they are recommended for beginners, those who are starting their journey.

Piece counts above 500 are difficult. These objects feature numerous possible setups because of their various configurations. For example, you may find it hard to solve difficult jigsaw puzzles of 1000 pieces.

Uniform Color

The sorting process of puzzles becomes virtually impossible when all pieces have identical colors. Achieving the desired outcome requires multiple attempts before success is reached. These factors determine the completion time along with the difficulty level. 

For instance, the task of adding puzzle pieces from an ocean or sky becomes especially challenging to assemble. Even if you have a small piece count, you may conduct trials many times till you get it done.

Repeating Patterns

Some puzzle pieces have patterns within patterns, also known as repeating patterns. For instance, a square-shaped puzzle may contain a circular shape embedded within its framework. The assembly process might need extended periods of effort until completion. Furthermore, abstract puzzle designs demand extra effort for proper solving.

Irregular Shapes

Some jigsaw puzzles do not have the shape of a standard and traditional design. This could make it difficult to fit them into their proper place. 

Complex Imagery 

Some puzzles do not consist of simple images (whether you’re familiar with them or not). These puzzles show complex images which cause difficulties during the assembly process. Working with pieces from busy or complex artwork might become very challenging.

Lack of Distinct Edges

Difficult jigsaw puzzles do not have distinct edges or discernible borders. Instead of cutting the edge with a straight side, they’re cut randomly. You will remain clueless about your next move and direction until you reach the deep end of the task. 

Thus, puzzles lacking clear borders or edges are difficult to sort because finding a starting point can be hard.

Puzzle Quality 

Some puzzles are poorly made. They are either thin or roughly cut, making them difficult. Items made from resistant materials that maintain high quality make solving the puzzles straightforward. The same goes for pieces with straight edges.

Additionally, some puzzles are manufactured in a way that they can comfortably sit in their place. This is especially hard to solve if they’re similar in shape.

Damaged or Missing Pieces

In certain situations, puzzles could be missing or suffer damage. This is not indicated in the package, so you will not be notified on time. Beginning a puzzle project without all required pieces presents a major inconvenience.

We understand the feeling it brings. That is why at Robotime, we ensure packages are carefully checked and packed to give our customers the quality they deserve. 

Difficult Themes

Few detailed themes make puzzles harder to solve. For example, the effort required to piece together abstract artwork components such as a texture collage will become exponentially harder. No clues or limited clues will lead to longer completion times for puzzles. 

Two-Sided Puzzle 

You have possibly encountered patterned puzzles featuring content on both sides of their pieces. These are two-sided or double-sided puzzles. The assembly requires more work and attention because different parts have multiple possible positions.

Some brands manufacture pieces with a matte finish on one side and a glossy finish on the other. Other brands do not manufacture pieces with that option. The process of analyzing various puzzle options puts pressure on your cognitive abilities thus complicating the puzzle-solving process.

Limited Visual Reference 

Some puzzles come with a picture of the completed image. This lets you refer when you’re lost. Others come with just a tiny reference image or none at all. The difficulty of solving the puzzle increases when you cannot derive visual references especially when the images have intricate themes.

How To Solve Difficult Jigsaw Puzzles 

Create a Workspace 

The first step should be creating a dedicated working space for your activity. All objects that create mental interruptions must be absent from the area. The workspace must offer enough room for your puzzle board along with pieces and any tool that assists your assembly work.

A good workspace also has sufficient lighting. This will help you avoid eye strain, making the work visible and easing the assembly process.

Sort and Organize

Organize puzzle pieces by their color preferences or on the basis of themes or shapes or patterns or other comparable elements. Next, you should sort out the borders and focus on the edges. Using this approach enables you to finish tough sections in jigsaw puzzles more efficiently. 

Use a Reference Material 

Refer to visual materials for complete knowledge of how the puzzle pieces should fit together. If your package doesn’t come with a reference guide, you can check online to see if the image has been published. Using a reference material can help solve even a difficult jigsaw puzzle for adults.

Don't Waste Time

When you encounter difficulty with one section of your board, just leave it behind you for now. Organize other sections, change the view or angle of the board, and move on. 

Conclusion 

The difficulty of solving jigsaw puzzles depends on a combination of factors, which this article has explained. But challenging as it is, you should make the most of it. Take your time while recognizing every step of progress that you accomplish.

Robotime provides high-quality puzzles available at budget-friendly prices. Our newest items are available for your viewing today. Shop now!