News We Love: How puzzle night turned into a competitive community
3, 2, 1, go — inside the world of the “need-for-speed” puzzling community
Every week, Sabrina Monserate-Lindsay, Samantha Saake and Toni MacReynolds gather around a wide white table tucked into the corner of an upstairs room at Saake’s home in North Carolina.
One grabs a box on the shelf, another hits a timer, and the third counts down, “3, 2, 1 … go!”
Monserate-Lindsay flips the box upside down, jigsaw pieces pouring out.
“Speed-puzzling is the first time I ever felt really competitive,” Monserate-Lindsay said. “This was the first hobby where I was like, ‘Wait, I’m really good at this.”
The trio met during monthly competitions back in 2024, where they competed against hundreds of speed-puzzlers from across the country.
“On the table is a puzzle, usually in a bag wrapped up, hidden somehow. They count down ‘3, 2, 1, go,'” Saake said. “As I’m flipping the pieces, I’m simultaneously looking for similar pieces. I have all the pieces that I need.”
Now, they are gearing up for the North Carolina Speed-Puzzling Championship on Aug. 15.
“They have fun shirts and fun pants, and they have custom dresses made and accessories. The energy is so lively and positive,” Saake said.
“Even though we’re competing for top places, a lot of people are just really proud of themselves for making improvements and PRs,” Monserate-Lindsay said.
Ultimately, the three say they want people to know it’s OK to take a risk and try out something new or maybe unconventional.
“If there is something you are hoping to try, whether that’s speed-puzzling or something else, get the courage to just do it, and it will turn out great,” Monserate-Lindsay said.
Expanding speed-puzzling
Samantha Saake is even working to get her neighborhood involved in the growing sport.
She and her husband built a puzzle library outside their home, where people can take or leave puzzles to try out.
All three women are also board members of the North Carolina Jigsaw Puzzle Association.
