Kelly’s Puzzle Story: 

Kelly (she/her) lives in Arizona, where she is a Medical Student. She has been puzzling for as long as she can remember, and her first speed puzzling competition was in February of 2021.

Kelly had the highest JPAR going into the 2024 Jigsaw Nationals, where she placed 5th in Individuals, 1st in Pairs with Andrea P., and 1st in Teams as a member of “The Piece Corps”! She took that momentum with her to Spain for the 2024 World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships, where she placed 4th in Individuals, 3rd in Pairs with Andrea P., and 3rd in Teams as a member of “Some Assembly Required”!

She finds herself staring at computer screens for a majority of the day while studying, so she enjoys the meditative aspect of puzzling, finding that it helps her decompress at the end of the day.

Kelly will be at the Arizona State competition in November 2024, the St. Paul Winter Carnival in January 2025, and the Orange County Speed Puzzler’s 24-Hour Puzzle Marathon in February 2025.

Q&A Time:

What is your best advice for someone who wants to improve their speed puzzling abilities?

“There isn’t just one ‘right’ way to speed puzzle. In the last year, I have watched many competitions and tried things that I have seen others do. Some of it worked and some didn’t, but I think trying different methods helped me evolve how I puzzle and how I think about puzzling.

Additionally, don’t underestimate yourself! My first 500-piece competition took me over two hours to complete, and I never believed that sub 1-hour, let alone sub 40-minute times were possible for me. However, with practice and a more thoughtful approach to my puzzling, I’ve seen a lot of improvement over the last three years.  It’s all about finding what works for you and being patient with your progress!”

What is the puzzle community like in your area?

“I am rather new to Arizona, but there is a very active swap community here. I am looking forward to meeting more local puzzlers at the Arizona state competition in November!

What do you enjoy most about the puzzle community?

“The people that I have met and the friendships that I have made are the best part. I remember my first USA Jigsaw Nationals in 2022, where I didn’t know anyone and only competed in the individual competition. At Worlds this year, I realized just how many connections I have made in a relatively short period of time. It is so amazing to be able to connect with people from all over the world over a common interest.”

Do you have a favorite brand, type, or style of puzzle?

“Nature scenes and well-defined illustrations are my favorite types of puzzles. I like trying as many brands as I can and can’t really pick a favorite, but recently I have redone the puzzles I have from Heye and Cloudberries.”

Tell us about your puzzle teammates. 

“I’ve had the opportunity to compete with so many amazing teammates over the past few years, but I have to spotlight Andrea! Competing with her this year has been such a privilege. I’ve learned so much from her—not just about puzzling, but about life in general.”

Do you have a cherished or unforgettable puzzle-related memory?

“The 2024 World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship was an unforgettable experience. We started off the week with a new Guinness World Record for Team USA. It was great getting to puzzle with so many amazing US puzzlers. In pairs, Andrea and I knew that we had a shot at the podium. We were so excited about the puzzle image in the final round, and flew through it. It was a close finish, but we were happy to reach our goal!

The most shocking part of the week for me was placing fourth in individuals. My only goals for the individual competition were to not let my anxiety get the best of me, and to have fun. These are both things that I never felt like I had achieved in a major competition. I turned my music on and told myself that nothing could rattle me in that moment. Somehow this worked, and I placed much better than I could have ever imagined!

The last event of the weekend was the Teams competition. I knew we were competitive, but I think we all surprised ourselves by placing third! I think that finding a way to play to everyone’s strengths and effectively communicate throughout the competition was essential. We also had so much fun, and it was an honor getting to compete with Karen Puzzles, Kat D., and Tiffany M.”

Connect:

Kelly can be found on Instagram @kw.puzzles