Have you played Puzzle Chess yet? If not, here's your excuse to do so! If so, here's your excuse to play lots more of it! The USAJPA is making August official Puzzle Chess Month (PCM) and a wonderful sponsor, Bandai Namco, is offer Ensky Art Crystal puzzle giveaways for those members who play and post about it on social media!

Here are the rules:

• Follow Instagram accounts @usajigsawpuzzle and @bandainamcous.

• Post a photo or reel of you playing puzzle chess.

• Tag the photo with #usajpapcm & #puzzlechess.

• Each unique post during the month of August earns you a submission towards the giveaway. Entries are unlimited but must be unique (not more than one of the same image).

• At the end of August, we will draw 5 lucky entrants who will each receive 3 Ensky Art Crystal puzzles!!!

This giveaway starts on 8/1/23 and ends on 8/31/23. Five winners will be chosen randomly and notified via email or DM. Must be in the U.S. to win. This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Instagram.

Join us at the Origins Game Fair for team, pair, and individual contests, while also participating in the annual tabletop gaming convention in Columbus, Ohio. Get our special Tournament of Pieces Badges to participate!

The badge costs $90 and includes the following:

• Entry into the Origins Game Fair Exhibit Hall during the entire 5-day event

• Access to the jigsaw puzzle area on Friday, June 23 for sprint contests, casual puzzling, puzzle chess, and socializing

• Team contest entry - Saturday, June 24, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

• Pair contest entry - Saturday, June 24, 1:30 - 4:00 p.m.

• Individual contest entry - Sunday, June 25, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• Entry into USAJPA jigsaw puzzle related workshops and activities

Click here now to get the badge as supplies are limited. For Pairs and Teams, each teammate must purchase their own badge to guarantee entry. Pairs and Teams can self-assemble at the event.

Create an account with the Tabletop Events site to track and manage your purchase. Each contest and the Friday activities are for sale as separate events, but if you’re planning to do all events, the badge is the cheapest option. Otherwise, without the Tournament of Pieces badge, you must purchase separate event tickets for each that you want to attend, in addition to an Origins Day, Limited Access, or Full Show badge to gain access to the space. For more details, check out this Origins Info sheet we've created.

Rules for participating in the 2023 speed run contest: (*Note- contest is currently closed)

• Enter as an individual and/or a team of 2, 3 or 4

• The puzzle assembly should be recorded and uploaded as a time-lapse video

  • For multiple attempts, demonstrate that pieces have been completely disassembled and shaken in the box for 5 seconds to ensure ‘like new’ puzzling conditions.

• Enter as many times as you like before October 31, 2023!

• Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers from each category

Submit your entries via this form: Speed Run Time Submission Form

View the leaderboard results here: Speed Run Results

About the Puzzle…

The artwork for this puzzle was designed by USAJPA member Robin Decaire, the winner of our 2022 Puzzle Design contest. Thanks to PuzzleTwist®, this puzzle is for sale on their website. *Note, these are special puzzles with a twist; the image on the box cover art is slightly different than the actual puzzle image.

Congrats to our winners:

Category Participant(s) Times

Overall Kelly, Wendy & Allison 14:18

Individual Liz Nelson 24:58

Team of 2 Liz Nelson & Josh Nelson 16:20

Team of 3 Kelly, Wendy, & Allison 14:18

Team of 4 Puzzling Past our Bedtimes 16:48