The first European challenge
The first day of the conference was electric, and participants, both amateurs and professionals, had to demonstrate their ability to speed, concentration and strategyThe tests were divided into three formats:
- Individual Each player had to put together a 500-piece puzzle in a limited time.
- Duo The two participants collaborated on a 1000 piece puzzle, testing their coordination and communication.
- Team The team was working together on even more complex puzzles, testing the collective organisation and strategy.
Each format measured the speed and effectiveness of participants, but also their creativity in the way they approach the puzzle. Some have applied chess techniques: spot patterns, sort by color or first assemble contours to save valuable time.
The puzzles of the 2025 EJPC
The puzzles used came from existing collections of Ravensburger and Trefl, chosen for their quality and the variety of their patterns. From the urban landscape to abstract artistic works, each puzzle brought its own challenge, and some participants were bluffed by the complexity of the patterns or the number of similar pieces to assemble.
For more information on the puzzles, see our article The puzzles of the 2025 CET.
Highlights and records
The EJPC 2025 was marked by several impressive performances:
- In the TwoThe couple Katharina Reiner and Chiara Dellantonio He put together a 1000 piece puzzle in 50 minutes and 21 seconds, setting a record for this first edition.
- The Finals individual The participants were incredibly focused, with some able to put together complex puzzles in less than an hour.
- The competition also highlighted creativity in methods: sorting by forms, tracing patterns, working in zones, or even elimination strategies to identify missing pieces.
An event for the community
The EJPC 2025 was not just a competition: it was also a celebration of the European puzzle communityWorkshops allowed visitors to test giant puzzles, discover innovative techniques and meet illustrators and manufacturers. The user-friendliness was at the meeting, and exchanges between participants strengthened the links within this passionate community.
Prospects for the future
The success of this first edition has confirmed the interest in an annual European Championship. The next edition of the EPCJ in 2026 in Turkey, with even more complex puzzles and renewed challenges. Amateurs can expect to see beat records, new strategies and an ever more immersive experience.
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