as a person who loves puzzles
since i learned
team puzzle competitions were a thing
i’ve wanted to compete in one
finally the opportunity arose
the night of the event arrived
people in teams of four
would compete to finish the same unknown puzzle
in the shortest period of time
my team’s name was
‘the last piece is under the table’
there were 12 competing teams
beverages and snacks and rules
a little friendly trash-talking
giant timer on a screen counting the seconds, minutes, hours
each team had their own strategies, methods, plans
part of the challenge is working in a team itself
each person has their own way of solving puzzles
with different levels of competitive spirit and ingenuity
but i consider that part of the puzzle too
trying to solve how to work together as one
to complete the puzzle on the table
the judge started the clock
the buzzer went off
when we opened the wrapping
it was a circular, colorful, 500 piece
we threw everything on the floor
dumped the pieces on the table
and were off
as expected, we all had different strengths and strategies
adapting as we went, changing spots, some stood, some sat
communication was key
‘who has the pink dots, is that a bird’s beak, what does that word say, look for purple…’
personalities were revealed
in an ebb and flow of emotions
we worked as fast as we could
suddenly
the team behind us
who all stayed seated and worked silently
announced they were finished just 40 minutes in
mind blown
only motivated us more
i was literally sweating
quite a workout
we kept working as fast as we could
while one team after another
completed their puzzles
we did not stop
at one point it was clear we would be the last team
we had a good laugh
exhausted
but refused to give up
i asked how late they would be open
finally
at 1 hour and 50 minutes
we did it!
and it was fun!
i was just happy to finish
i’ll be back to try again
when talking to the judge after
he said the silent sitting team that won so quickly
go to the world championships each year
(what?! world championships?!)
they have not yet won at that level
but enter these competitions
to stay sharp and practice
makes good sense
now i feel
it’s may be only a matter of time
i’ll be writing about a puzzle competition from italy one day
but in the meantime
i had a blast
we had no pieces under the table
and that’s something.
—
-bonnie edelstein, parade magazine
I didn't have my glasses on.... 