by Berkeley, CA – This September, the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship will bring together the best puzzlers from around the globe in Valladolid, Spain. Among the fierce competitors is Hannah Doyle, a dedicated graduate student from UC Berkeley, who aims to showcase her skills and bring home the trophy.
Doyle has rapidly risen through the ranks in the field of speed puzzling, blending her passion for puzzles with her rigorous academic pursuits. With a daily routine of assembling multiple 500-piece puzzles, her dedication and practice have made her a formidable competitor leading up to this international event.
The Journey from Hobby to Championship Contender
Hannah Doyle’s fascination with puzzles began about a year ago after watching speed puzzling competitions online. Inspired, she bought her own puzzle and timed her efforts, quickly making rapid progress. Her personal best on a 500-piece puzzle stands impressively at just over 30 minutes.
- Completes approximately three 500-piece puzzles daily.
- Engages in marathon puzzle sessions with friends on weekends.
- Member of the team “Girls in STEMP,” combining STEM and puzzles.
- Placed second in the nationals last year.
“I usually do three puzzles every evening after work, three 500-piece puzzles. I try to get as many as I can on the weekends. I meet up with my puzzle friends on the weekends and we have days-long puzzle sessions,” said Doyle in an interview with CBS News Bay Area.
Balancing STEM Research with Puzzle Passion
Beyond her puzzling prowess, Doyle is deeply committed to her academic career as a fifth-year PhD student at UC Berkeley, specializing in visual sciences within the STEM field. Her research focuses on innovative ways to stimulate human retinas using highly specialized laser systems that could revolutionize vision science.
She is on track to graduate this academic year while continuing to refine her puzzling skills.
“My project is like human vision, so we’re looking into ways that we can stimulate people’s retinas with highly specialized laser systems,” Doyle explained.
Strong Bay Area Presence in the Puzzle Community
The Bay Area has become a powerhouse in the world of competitive puzzling. Becca Taylor, vice president of the USA Jigsaw Puzzle Association and last year’s world champion, highlighted the local community’s remarkable representation.
- Last year’s World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship saw two gold medalists from the Bay Area.
- The Bay Area secured trophies across all three competition divisions.
- Strong local puzzle networks foster continual growth and enthusiasm.
“The puzzling community in this area is bursting at the seams,” said Taylor. “Of all of the top 10 in each of the three divisions, the Bay Area had the highest representation of trophies geographically within the U.S.”
Although Taylor will not compete this year, she remains enthusiastic about supporting fellow Bay Area puzzlers like Doyle.
Preparing for the Global Stage
In preparation for the championship, Doyle meticulously recreates competition conditions at home, practicing within the strict regulation area that mirrors the upcoming event in Valladolid.
The 2025 World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship will feature participants from 72 countries, continuing a trend of breaking participation records and growing global enthusiasm for competitive puzzling.
“We’re very excited about this edition, which continues to break participation records,” said Alfonso Alvarez-Ossorio of the World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation. “But there are still millions of people around the world assembling jigsaw puzzles who are unaware of this wonderful event.”
Inspiring Others Through Passion and Persistence
Doyle hopes her journey motivates others to discover hobbies that ignite their passion, no matter how unexpected the area may be.
“It’s always possible to find something that you’re passionate about as long as you just keep trying new things and keep experimenting,” Doyle shared.
Key Facts About the 2025 World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship
- Dates: September 15–21, 2025
- Location: Valladolid, Spain
- Participants: Competitors from 72 countries
- Competition Format: Various divisions, including individual and team events
- Notable Local Support: Bay Area leads U.S. in trophies and representation
For more background and detailed insights on the competition and Hannah Doyle’s remarkable story, visit CBS News Bay Area.
What do you think about this inspiring story of passion and perseverance? Have you ever tried speed puzzling or competed in a puzzle championship? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
