As a first-time spectator at a speed puzzle competition, Cody Busic did not have high expectations.
But when the contest started at Clarendon Fieldhouse in Uptown on Saturday morning, he was on the edge of his seat, breathlessly recounting the event like a seasoned announcer.
“No, this was actually thrilling,” said Busic, 33, of Lincoln Park, who was there to support one of the competitors. “The clock starts, everyone’s silent. They’re all racing fast as hell, moving their little hands trying to flip over the pieces. There’s focus, there’s strategy and there’s a lot of movement, oddly enough, for people who look like they’re standing still.”
It was an accurate description of the two-hour USA Jigsaw Puzzle Association solo competition, hosted by the Chicago Puzzle Club. Fifty participants opened their drawstring bags to reveal identical 500-piece puzzles depicting a San Francisco cable car traversing a sunlit California Street. Some sat and some stood, hovering over white tables littered with drinks, puzzle trays and plush animal toys for good luck. The “edge-first” contingent started by constructing borders, while others built large sections based on color. Many donned headphones that played everything from Broadway tunes to classical music.
The first-place winner earned a trophy, puzzle, $50 gift card to a game store, and a spot in the 2027 USA Jigsaw Nationals competition. Later in the day, two more people were qualified for nationals at a second competition featuring duos. It was an intense few hours, but many puzzlers described it as a period of self-improvement, fun and community-building.
Ultimately, Rae Paul, of Forest Park, was victorious in the solo contest, completing her puzzle in 53 minutes and 15 seconds. Anna Pogharian, of Edgewater, trailed by a hair, finishing at 53 minutes and 22 seconds. Third place went to Melissa Germait, of Burlington, Wisconsin, who placed her last piece at 56 minutes and 20 seconds.
“This is still kind of a new world for me,” said Paul, 34, who has only competed in a few other contests, but never took the top spot. “It’s exciting.”
Paul began her puzzle by tackling huge blocks of color, such as the sky, while listening to the soundtrack to “Hamilton.”
“I usually start with the rap battles and then I’m keyed up,” she said.
A director of operations at a nonprofit by day, Paul said she has loved puzzles since she was a kid, and enjoys sharing her interest with others.
“It is really delightful to be around people who just love what they love without reservation,” she said.
That social component is a highlight for participants in the Chicago Puzzle Club, which was formed in 2024 by Frank Lieu, his brother, Eric Lieu, and his wife, Shirley Jiang.
Jiang said she and her husband were especially inspired to form the group after participating in the USA Jigsaw Nationals competition.
“We wanted to bring a little bit of that to Chicago because we didn’t really see that kind of caliber of competition,” said Jiang, 39, of Lake View. “We’re excited to build the community and see the growth.”
The group regularly hosts speed competitions, puzzle swaps and workshops to help people improve their skills. Their events typically draw well over 100 attendees, Jiang said.
“It’s a great group of people that come together to do a singular goal, and you don’t need screens or a lot of equipment,” said Eric Lieu, 39, of Lake View.
“You just focus for about one or two hours and it doesn’t matter how fast you are. I always tell people it’s like doing a 5K. You don’t sign up to do a 5k thinking you’re going to be the first one, but you do it to try to beat your best time, to improve and just see how well you do.”
For 16-year-old competitor Chloe Athanasiou, puzzling is a welcome escape.
“It’s a great departure from everyday homework and school stuff,” said the Lake View sophomore, who wants to start a puzzle club at her school, Walter Payton College Preparatory High School. “It’s relaxing in a weird way.”
Athanasiou made a respectable showing during the solo contest, placing 10th with a time of one hour and six seconds. She said she not only enjoyed competing, but watching others.
“It’s a visual of the different ways in which people’s brains work,” she said. “It’s really interesting to see how different people approach the same puzzle.”