That’s how you puzzle like a pro

Between rounds of Christmas food and Christmas presents, it can be nice to unwind – and what better way to do that than to solve a puzzle. Everyone can join in, adults and children alike, making it a perfect family activity. At least if you ask the sisters Terese Scherman and Susanna Meder, who have been doing puzzles together since childhood.

– We have always done puzzles together, but especially at Christmas, and then there have been bigger puzzles. When you put things together, I think it’s great if it can lie in front for a while, so you can put a piece here and there, says Terese Scherman.

One day, in the spring of 2022, Terese called Susanna one day, when Susanna was on maternity leave, and suggested that they should compete in the World Puzzle Championship. A suggestion she pounced on.

500 pieces in 33 minutes

– Then we competed in pairs, which was great fun, but very nerve-wracking. And when we were done there, we said “shouldn’t we be in the WC too?”, and that’s how it happened, says Susanna Meder.

Although the sisters had never done a puzzle in time before the SM, they felt quite confident, because they had done the puzzle with friends and acquaintances.

– And you know you’re quite fast, says Terese.

And fast they are – with a record of 33 minutes on a 500-piece puzzle. According to Terese, there are a number of things that distinguish fast puzzlers from slow ones.

You should avoid this

– Most people who are a little slower usually start by sorting out the edges and corners. It takes quite a long time! It’s easier to look at the subject of the puzzle and start focusing on color and shape, I think.

The sisters’ next tip is to help each other and puzzle as a team.

– During the times we’ve competed together, it’s always someone who has had a bit of a mental breakdown or a bit of panic and then the other has been able to say “harden up, do this”, says Susanna.

Then you puzzle as a team

When you have to work together in a family, with many different ages, it is smart to choose a puzzle that is fun for everyone, do the work of turning the puzzle pieces together, and also give the younger children their own task.

– Then we think it is very important that you talk to each other – not only about the puzzle itself, but other things as well. But just talking about the puzzle can be good, so you know where in the puzzle others are, so you don’t sit and focus on the same thing, says Terese.

– And then letting go of the prestige – it’s not a competition. At least not when you’re sitting at home doing Christmas puzzles, Susanna concludes with a laugh.