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Where to solve the puzzles

published by LeonerdCdL on Tue, 06/09/2026 - 02:44
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General discussion

I participated in WPC's last round and before solving every puzzle I copied it to my notebook so I could solve it there and it took a significant amount of time. So, I was wondering how do you normally solve the puzzles, is it copying every puzzle, using an online software, printing the PDF or other method?

Submitted by jigsaw300puzzles on Tue, 06/09/2026 - 05:57.

Most people just solve them directly on screen and calculate variations mentally or with a board in front of them if they want extra depth.

Copying every position into a notebook sounds thorough, but it’s definitely time-consuming for most formats—better suited for a few critical positions rather than a full set.

In a way, it’s like turning word jigsaw puzzles 300 pieces into something you manually redraw each time instead of just working from the original image—you gain control, but lose a lot of efficiency.

Submitted by easonrevant on Wed, 06/10/2026 - 05:47.

IMHO it's more efficient and adaptable strategy to write subscripts or notation on the printed puzzle grid, rather than attempting to copy everything.

I have seen some very clever, very expressive notations developed by John H. Conway in his approach to solving games/puzzles; check out his "Winning Ways For Your Mathematical Plays" series of books to witness this in action).

Also, watching puzzle solving videos by world champions & grandmasters (such as Dr. Snyder's solving videos, linked from his blog at gmpuzzles.com) to be very enlightening in terms of how to mark grids in a minimal-but-expressive way.

YoshTheN00b's picture

Submitted by YoshTheN00b on Wed, 06/10/2026 - 07:39.

Generally, speed is probably one of the main requirements - the quicker you get from "oh hey i have the pdf" to solving the puzzles the more time you get to solve the puzzles!

Most people just print it out - freeform markings are great and this is good prep for in-person competitions.
I've had to go the "copy into paint" route once - don't think it was a bad experience but didn't like it much either.

Copying the grids entirely on paper is cool and kinda meditative, but it's so glacial in comparason that it's relegated to postsolves for me.