Speed puzzling grows into an international competition

Speed puzzling, once a quiet hobby, has become a growing competitive activity in Canada and abroad. Competitors now race to finish 500piece jigsaw puzzles as quickly as possible, with some finishing in under an hour. The article follows Canadian puzzlers Adam Gray and Abby Conklin, who took up the activity during the pandemic and later entered organized events. Gray is ranked among Canada’s top speed puzzlers, while Conklin says the competitions have become a social and mentally demanding challenge. The Canadian Jigsaw Puzzle Association says interest has expanded quickly, with national events growing large enough to move into a hockey rink this year. Internationally, the sport also continues to expand, and Toronto is set to host a major world event in 2027.