Puzzle Chess

Equipment needed

  • A jigsaw puzzle, 200 pieces or less work best

  • A chess clock (or a free chess clock app)

  • A piece of paper to cover the pieces

Setup

  • This is a head to head game, it can be 1v1 or 2v2.

  • Turn all pieces face up and complete the border.

  • Make sure the remaining pieces are not overlapping and cover them with a piece of paper

  • Place your chess clock in a neutral spot. Set it for 30 minutes (per player)

Goal

Whoever has the most time remaining on their timer once the puzzle is complete, WINS. If your timer runs out before your opponent's timer, you LOSE. 

Rules

  • Lift the board, the first person to place a piece hits their timer to start it for their opponent.

  • Players alternate placing 1 puzzle piece at a time. It can connect anywhere, but it must connect to an already placed piece in the puzzle.

  • Your hands can only touch 1 loose piece at a time.

  • All loose pieces are available to either team.

  • Once a puzzle piece is placed, stop your timer, which starts your opponent’s timer.

  • You can touch and move as many pieces as you want during your turn but you must return any piece you do not place to its starting position.