I RACED ALEJANDRO (the fastest puzzler in the world) 😳

[@KarenPuzzles]

The first Worlds recap video is up now! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zny1haJ5haZ0eas

[@lethe.archive]

kristin saying she essentially just never speed puzzled before she’s just naturally fast to the point she got number 2 in worlds without realizing you can use two hands is so funny.

[@sos_jess]

we stan Kristin

[@Quantris]

we haven't even seen her final form

[@Kumagoro42]

So she literally competed with a hand tied behind her back last year! And indeed this year SPOILER ALERT she got much closer to Alejandro. She's getting there. They're definitely the top two in the world right now.

[@pvic6959]

the thing is that shes so used to one handed, i wonder if it will take time to getused to doing two handed

[@The_Great_One]

@@pvic6959She has said she is better with one hand and has tried two hands.

[@KarenPuzzles]

I hope you enjoy this little preview of what I'm in for at the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships! A huge thank you to Alejandro and Kristin for agreeing to film this with me, and make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss my full recap videos.

[@Ummmmmmmmtoast]

I love your videos and can’t wait to see your recap video and seeing the time breakdowns 💕

[@ObsessiveGeek]

I’ve been anticipating these videos ever since I watched Worlds, this was fun and really excited to see all the nerdy facts!

[@susancampanelli4245]

You are so brave to race Alejandro and Kirstin live, in front of a camera. And you had a smile on your face the WHOLE time

[@steve_weinrich]

Karen, One of the largest differences I see between you and your two opponents is focus. They were considerably more focused on their puzzles than you. Watching the video, neither of them ever lifted their head up or looked over at your puzzle.

[@graylagran7443]

Awesome Karen! And so much fun!

[@vaughn53]

It's like an All Stars season. All my faves competing in one room! So exciting 😃

[@beethovennine]

Hi, Karen! Just writing to let you know that you have inspired me to introduce my 75 years old father to jigsaw puzzles, so I bought a couple for him 2 months ago. He's been diagnosed with early stages Parkinson's disease, but puzzling is proving to be an AMAZING intelectual challenge for him, and now he's passionate about this. From the bottom of my heart, THANKS! Cheers from Argentina, and please keep these awesome videos coming!

[@melimsah]

"Why is everything the same color?" Says the collector of one color puzzles xD

[@ITM95]

Can we talk about Karen’s video production quality?! Multiple people recording on SEVERAL cameras… the microphones… not to mention the editing with voiceovers, graphics/timers/etc. wow. You are really top notch, Karen. I watch A LOT of KZbin and I must say, your attention to detail and video quality is striking.

[@KarenPuzzles]

I brought a dedicated cameraperson Valentina Vee to Worlds with me and she got some amazing shots!

[@Brocolli_Pizza]

Her effort is not in vain. Been watching her videos a while and recently can see that the production quality + video ideas has shot up. 🧩

[@MALIA74897]

Yessss. im seriously impressed. This girl needs her own tv show.

[@pieceful_puzzling]

"I almost don't even want to puzzle. I just want to sit here and watch you go" is oddly reminiscent of every time I've puzzled with *you* (or anyone else who was on your team!) 🤣

[@Lisa_Flowers]

oh my god, Karen racing BOTH Alejandro _and_ Kristin???? The puzzle gods have smiled upon us today

[@andreapatacchiola1184]

Kristin using TWO HANDS? Unbeatable

[@nicoletechiclete]

She was soooo close to beating Alejandro 😭😭 i was cheering so hard on the livestream hahahaha

[@jcortese3300]

You know, the footage does make it more obvious, at least in part, how Alejandro is so fast. Looking at the sped-up footage between you, he clearly just gave up on the edge when he wasn't making fast enough progress and immediately went to the interior of the puzzle. This not only gave him more forward progress but also made the edge got a lot easier for him because he was matching to the interior side of the edge pieces where most of the pattern distinction was to be found. I think there's almost a false belief in the puzzling world that you always start with the edge pieces and putting them together where it's really just a matter of fitting ANY two pieces together as quickly as possible no matter where they are. Lesson: Always go where the most progress is to be found first.

[@KarenPuzzles]

Yes, looking at it back, I really should have worked from the inside out like he did.

[@TheRodentMastermind]

I think the real thing with Alejandro was he was duel processing, while one hand was finishing placing a piece, the next hand was already getting the next piece and moving it to the right place.

[@bobbyfischerman4811]

Sticazzi

[@Delerat]

Agree with this. One advantage of doing the edge first is that edge pieces are easy to identify and thus completing the edge shrinks the pool of other pieces you can select when working on the puzzle, hence why sorting is so important. But I wonder if simply putting all the edge pieces in a pile first and then mostly ignoring them as you work on the inside could be a strategy, since you immediately shrink your initial pool that way. There's definitely something to identifying the easiest part of the puzzle and doing it first so that the harder parts are easier, but that may really depend on the puzzle.

[@jcortese3300]

@@Delerat I think my recommendation is to start putting together whatever pieces jump out at you first, sorting edge pieces as you go? Often, the edge pieces need to be peered at a bit more closely to get them all than say, all the pieces in a yellow or bright purple section of the puzzle, which can be identified much more quickly. As you go, toss the edge pieces you run into in a pile, and get to them as you get to them ...

[@Annonymous5411]

Kristin and Alejandro seem like really lovely people

[@L2Sentinel]

They really do. Couldn't ask for a better top two.

[@missnewvillage]

“Alright I have finished the edge” as Alejandro basically has the whole puzzle done 😂 I love how chill Kristin is when she puzzles. This was a fun video! Can’t wait to see your worlds video

[@Botruc]

These Australian jiggsaw puzzlers really brought their A-game when it comes to team T-shirts!

[@KarenPuzzles]

I love their team uniforms!

[@aartadventure]

We Aussies go hard or go home

[@feuilletoniste]

Yeah, shout out to team Australia if they’re watching - it’s great to see so many of you there repping the green and gold, and I hope you had an amazing time!

[@LemonBarchie]

Go team Australia! 🎉

[@RadioactiveSheep]

They are both so sweet! And so nice they are being supported by their moms, feels so wholesome

[@BaronBytes]

I love how Karen is a fan first and is just so happy to be there.

[@laurab8547]

A year ago would you have ever dreamed this moment would be happening?? Pretty cool to be competing against the Michael Phelps of the puzzling world!

[@Yoruake89]

It was so wholesome to watch the live streams for hours! :) I loved how supportive everyone was. Sarahs Mum was in the chat like always... I loved it so much!

[@TrullaDerBergzwerg]

We have these small 99 piece puzzles in switzerland 🤗 Alejandro and kristin are so nice and humble. It was very nice to watch you interact 🥰

[@matthewhall5571]

The country is so tiny and mountainous that a 10,000 piece puzzle wouldn't fit! 😉

[@thingsilike638]

Okay, but no joke: the Spain puzzle is always going to be easier for a Spaniard than anybody else. Of course we've looked at maps of our country all the time for lots of reasons (school, looking something up on google maps) and pieces like a paella or a flamenco dancer will be easy for us because we more or less know where it should go on the map. So that was an unfair advantage coupled with his fair advantage of being the best. ;)

[@Skittl1321]

For real. Do a map of the US and non Americans will have a harder time knowing where Idaho or Alabama goes. Doing a map of Spain against an incredibly fast Spaniard is a huge disadvantage.

[@danimartinezmunoz460]

They have the picture in front of them...

[@dado__]

​​@@danimartinezmunoz460Even with the picture, there's a slight disadvantage. Suppose that instead of a puzzle, the goal was to order mixed up words so that they matched what was on a sign. If the words on the sign were from the US national anthem, an American would have an advantage because they know the word order without having to check the sign. That's a more extreme example (map illustrations vary far more than word order) but it's the same idea.

[@Chaotic_Pixie]

Y'all are just so precious. I love that the key is supportive parents. 💜💜💜💜💜 This was exactly the kind of international good feels kinda thing we all needed today.

[@JanneBU]

I love that Karen gets nervous having an audience but regularly has hundreds of thousands of views😅 Okey I know that she doesn't see them normally but iIl still find that ironic.

[@oddball1336]

​@@kevinpatrickcarey3741why?

[@kray3883]

If you're filming you can always have the thought that you can just not post the video, or edit things out, or whatever.

[@fjaramillo1133]

@@kevinpatrickcarey3741clown

[@Geminish15]

Online socializing = not the same as real life socializing

[@icturner23]

Love both of these two. I highly recommend that everyone watch the entire livestream videos (as well as Karen’s of course, not instead). I was expecting to just play them in the background whilst doing other things but I was totally gripped. I feel like I know all the competitors, the federation, the Millennium Dome and even Valladolid in general so well now.

[@katie.elizabeth]

I love that they said that the secret to doing so well at puzzling was having such supportive moms!

[@aartadventure]

LOVE this video. So funny to see poor Karen still struggling with her true arch nemesis - the shrink wrap!

[@ZombieBacon13]

I've haven't done a puzzle since I was about 7, but i've been watching these videos non stop. I'm probably gonna be getting a puzzle soon

[@LLS-cf1iz]

Same here. I just bought a puzzle a few weeks back. I hadn’t done a puzzle in years. I chose a 1000 piece with an image I really liked. Unfortunately for me there was so much brown and same texture all throughout different areas of the puzzle. It was really hard 😂 and I kept saying to myself, how would Karen tackle this…but I got thru it and felt very accomplished after seeing the finished puzzle. I even rubbed my hands over the finished picture the way Karen does when she is done with the puzzle.

[@jungersrules]

I'm a newbie and have done around a dozen puzzles so far. I bought my very first puzzle, then some from Goodwill and Craigslist. However, I just went to first local puzzle exchange. I was so surprised by how many people were there/showed up. I'll never have to buy puzzles again!

[@patrickhanft]

Same with me! But when Karen showed a puzzle of a major landmark in the city that I live in during her videos about world championships preparation I got this 1000 piece puzzle, did it in 6 hours over the course of four days (when I certainly should have done something more important 😂) and now I have it on the wall behind my desk. Thanks to Karen for the inspiration!

[@SkihaseHH]

I've seen the "Puzzle Moments" line a lot over here in Germany. There are these little ones with 99pcs and there are slightly larger ones with 200 or 300 pcs. They seem to be aimed at adults who would like to do a small puzzle. They have a "selfcare" or meditative vibe to them, like "take half an hour for yourself and do a relaxing puzzle". Almost always calm images or sophisticated art pieces.

[@mirian03060]

Watching you struggle with the wrap made me so anxious hahahah I loved the little box from the Safari puzzle ❤ I watched every livestream and I enjoyed so much. Can't wait for the videos and to hear how did you feel about every puzzle.

[@nadializette2681]

I looove iiitt, thank you for showing us your perspective, I watched the World's Championship and was so surprised for the big community out there. And what an amazing puzzlers are Alejandro and Kristin ❤

[@ХеллианаВел]

I was just thinking "I haven't seen any videos from Karen for a while. Let me check, if I missed anything". And here it is - uploaded 2 minutes ago Looking forward to the next video 🎉🎉

[@KarenPuzzles]

I've been editing my Worlds videos nonstop! I'll have the recap out soon 🙂

[@50sRockChick]

Looking forward to the recaps. It was such fun to watch live.

[@badgerrambler]

Okay, holy crap, the camera style on these videos is just so beautiful! You’re all such genuine and lovely people sharing a love for puzzles! I CANNOT WAIT for your video this weekend, even after watching the livestreams!

[@srrfounder1]

Congrats on 250K subs, Karen! 🥳

[@KarenPuzzles]

Thank you!

[@grahamgreene779]

Karen you might not be the most natural as an interviewer etc, but you were really good and def props for using your platform in a really cool and positive way to continue promoting puzzling. To see you with a microphone talking to these to 2 champs just seems like a natural outgrowth of your channel (is what i think i'm trying to say).

[@KarenPuzzles]

Is this negging? lol

[@grahamgreene779]

@@KarenPuzzles i had to look up negging! No, not at all. You just looked a little reticent as a, i dunno, media personality, which is kind of how you functioned in parts of video. Perhaps I misread that, very possible. Nevertheless, you were really good, as i mentioned:) And i could be projecting too, because I don't think I could be on camera, nevermind talk to people coherently at the same time.

[@PaulaJaey]

Kristin…is probably the chillest person I have ever seen in my life. And Alejandro seems like a very sweet person. It’s so cool that you got to meet these people we only got to see on screen last year! Kinda surreal to think about it: THEY’RE REAL PEOPLE lol

[@georgewang2947]

What I appreciate about Karen is that she is always having fun, even when the puzzle is stressful

[@candidulce0714]

I love that you all have so much joy in this space that you just enjoy being together. I think it's so fun that you got to hang out with them a bit.

[@ChaiLatte13]

I think they should add some of these smaller puzzle categories to the competition. It would help bring in more participants IMO. The 500 piece puzzles are intimidating.

[@lady_olenka5274]

To be honest when I started doing puzzles in 2020 500 piece puzzles WERE intimidating. Like that's soo many pieces, right? But when you start puzzling more 'professionally' 500 pieces are not intimidating at all 😅 its quick and takes not that much time to finish as i originally thought

[@sebascherny4553]

Very nice video! Thanks for introducing Alejandro and Kristin to us and for all the puzzle content

[@danielleshanti]

You're so brave to race the fastest puzzlers with a live audience! It's fun that the bigger-piece puzzle was harder. =)

[@shellyt556]

Omg good job Karen!! Getting both Kristin and Alejandro to do this 😂😊

[@jungersrules]

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!! I'm a newbie who have done just over 10 puzzles, and so glad I found Karen and the world championship!

[@catalina9844]

Karen this was so fun! Great puzzling and an excellent interview!

[@sarahsosa]

I absolutely adored this video!! ❤ I cannot get over how humble and down-to-earth they both are.

[@michaelgreenwood5387]

I watched alot of the world jigsaw puzzle championship in Spain. It was great seeing you. You did awesome. Very happy for you

[@mhxistenz]

Finally! It was so fun to watch it all live. Alejandro and Kristin are unbelievable.

[@jiucki]

Super excited to see your competition videos! In this one I was able to see how much appreciation you have for Alejandro and Christen ❤

[@joeyjojo5986]

wholesome content. and by that I mean something everyone can enjoy, full stop. No excuse not to root for this lady at all times.

[@TheMrKristens]

This was so sweet! I adore these two puzzlers. Thank you Alejandro and Kristin! You two are a joy to watch.

[@vaughn53]

Eagerly awaiting the next video. Your Jigsaw puzzle competition videos are so exciting and interesting. It's the Super Bowl of puzzling!!!

[@rebeccawicks5111]

This whole video is so delightful!! They're both so sweet and I am glad you got to meet them in person!!

[@tracybowling1156]

You guys are SO loved! You had quite the audience for your before the race race. It looks like you had fun there! Im glad! P.S. Those 2 are so sweet that you're not sad that they always win!

[@Janna-vdP]

So FUN to see Kristin and Allejandro! 🧩

[@butzichen]

Amazing video! I love this puzzling community so much, so wholesome🥰 Also yay you! You got really close to Alejandro's time, amazing!

[@sonicchica]

Gotta love that perfectly time audience spin when you mention it during Alejandro’s race. That official helping you out during Kristen’s ace was really sweet.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

I remember being so invested in the tournament last year! Hope this year is dramatic too 🔥

[@urszulaskierniewska2762]

Omg, this was exactly what I needed today. This video is so much fun and I just can’t wait for your other videos from the competition. I was watching the streams and I am very excited to go there next year. Puzzle community is the best!

[@butzichen]

The day the puzzles will come unwrapped and you don't have to fight the plastic, you will win! :D

[@KarenPuzzles]

Just wait until the actual competition 👀

[@butzichen]

I did watch lots on the live stream, still can't wait for the recap @@KarenPuzzles

[@amydixon9982]

Love the nerd huddle at the end! Can’t wait for the full video. 🧩

[@ITM95]

YAY!!! I’m so excited for all the upcoming content from Worlds! This is such a fun video!

[@libbylambert5631]

Karen, you are so distracted! You could easily go faster if you tuned out your competitors. I really love ALL of your videos.

[@insomnia705]

i just love this so much. both alejandro and kristin are so nonchalant about the fact that they're just crazy fast xD

[@taylorharvey3980]

omg goals!!!1 i cant believe you got this chance this is so cool

[@KarenPuzzles]

I know, right? I'm so happy they agreed!

[@EmmaRomme-nt9im]

I love this bonus content with Alejandro and Kristin! ❤ I would love to see more with them!

[@NatasaVass]

Can't wait for the full competition video! Love the speed puzzling ❤

[@MrLauraq12]

So wholesome 😊 I really like the puzzle community. Thank you for the video Karen!

[@missjoshemmett]

Oh, thank goodness you're okay! I know it is silly, but I thought you would be back sooner. I know you needed a rest but it seemed longer and longer. I looked up the World's Championships and all I could find was the sign for 2023. I hope you got to see some sites while you were there. I think that was so sweet that Alejandro and Kristin agreed to do that sweet little bit with you. Shows that puzzlers are really nice people. Can't wait for the rest!

[@jayelizaa]

The speed is just shocking . They are both so humble!!

[@JSanime]

Aww. They're both so sweet. It was so cool of them to agree to let you challenge them 1 on 1❤❤❤

[@jwolfe01234]

I was happy to see a video from Karen's trip to Spain, and one featuring the rock stars of the WJPC, to boot. Seems kind of weird to me, since I don't even do jigsaw puzzles. I already looked up the results, but I'm looking forward to seeing an inside view of the competition. Hope to see an appearance by Katie Puzzles. I was rooting for her.

[@alikigeorgiou8499]

Loved watching you and your fellow contestants and what lovely camaraderie you have - only jigsaw puzzlers could be so friendly with each other. Especially enjoyed the nerdy bit a tthe end! Can't wait to see your upcoming videos of the competition. 🥰

[@SilverFlame819]

I think what's really interesting is how he always has two pieces in his hands, and he's flipping them both around, analyzing what's on both of them at the same time as he's placing them. Most people only do one piece at a time.

[@jason_man]

Aah I never knew I got addicted to your channel until today! Can't wait!

[@mariarivasss]

I loved the way you got more and more audience 😂😂✨️✨️ kisses from spain❤🇪🇸

[@imccrae]

That was so cool ! Loved every minute of it, thankyou for sharing these special times.

[@MaliyahMartinezz]

I’m always looking forward to a new puzzle video❤❤

[@Cristo2893]

I'm waiting the videos from the Championship sooooo much. Thanks for bringing us this experience, Karen. It's pretty awesome watch someone conquer their goals. :') Huge hug from Ecuador. :D

[@lizb5298]

I’m so excited for your videos on the competition! That’s so fun you got to nerd out about puzzles with other champions!

[@CashAndCoinsYT]

You did amazing!!!!!! Congrats on everything. Keep on doing it!

[@hayleyleiberman8491]

1) this was such a fun video to watch! It was cool to watch the comparison so closely. 2)Thank you for putting in the time to blur the children's faces! Shows a lot about your character.

[@FloofyCat]

Yay! A video! Congrats Karen and can't wait for the recaps!!

[@mikekeenanphd]

This video makes me smile and just feel better about being a human. Thanks Karen!

[@mariakristinahawl1640]

Talking and looking over at your opponent's status definitely slowed you down

[@brandonhall9959]

His focus was what made him go so quickly. Complete flow state

[@Puzzlerfromsweden]

So fun to watch! Thank you 🧩😊

[@stormhealer3443]

well, I am pretty sure if you had been in full racing mode instead of the adorable half-fangirl-half-racing mode this might have had a closer outcome :D at least I did not catch the other two permanently glimpsing over but I can't blame you it is so impressive also the preview-shots look so good, I have seen most of the competition live due to a cold and too much free time but I can't wait for your montage ❤

[@williamisnumberone9900]

Wow what an exciting video! I can't wait for more content in the coming weeks! I watched the live streams as much as I could from home! I have been patiently waiting for new videos!❤😊

[@Pshady]

Loving the light you are shining on puzzling, I enjoy watching all sports so found your channel a while back in a previous world championships.

[@itopakfrppgng9764]

watching people enjoying puzzle so much gives very good quality vibes

[@TheTechAdmin]

10:52 What's a "false fit"? Is it what it sounds like, I piece put in the wrong spot?

[@PokhrajRoy.]

This video was not a question of if but when. So excited to see this 👏🏽

[@CoachMeMLD]

Just love watching you. Thank you for all the hard work you put into your videos.

[@ianii]

I love this so much. Your editing, personality is amazing and cute :).

[@Laura_Stanford]

Karen I love your sunny personality. Too sweet!

[@kat-napzzz]

Aw they both see so cool and sweet. It’s so neat to see how puzzlers of the world come together.

[@kristin87425]

Why does this seem like the healthiest of communities? They were so nice and so cool!

[@IzebellePuzzleDiaries]

You must have had so much fun in Spain! Can't wait for the next videos.

[@LogicMasterSteve]

What a fun video! I think next year I have to arrive one day earlier to Worlds in order not to miss all those unofficial side events! 🙂 Being 29% over Alejandros time and 17% over Kristins time is a huge accomplishment of you, Karen. It just shows how incredibly fast Alejandro and Kristin are - on ANY puzzle. And everybody that has met both of them can confirm that they are just 2 very sympathetic, humble persons! 🥰

[@ablair24]

what a fun video! I'm so excited to see your breakdowns of this year's competition :D

[@bialk0]

AAAAH YOU MET THE TWO ICONS!!