‘Impossible’ clear puzzle is the ultimate self-isolation challenge

This “impossibly difficult” clear puzzle is perfect for people who want a real challenge while practising social distancing.

Hey, puzzlers — looking for a real challenge? We have a clear-cut winner here.

As many people approach two, even three weeks or more of their coronavirus lockdown period, they may already be bored with those tired, conventional puzzles featuring puppy dogs, hot air balloons or scenic landscapes. But now there’s an “impossibly difficult” transparent jigsaw puzzle that may just be the challenge you crave, the New York Post reported.

Now available for pre-order, the Little Flower Pot Shop on Etsy describes their clear, acrylic puzzle as “insanity,” with four tiers of difficulty: “easy, okay, hard and crazy.”

Pricing starts at $A29.18 with nine 2-inch (5cm) pieces, which should take less than five minutes for most. The OK and hard levels contain 25 and 49 pieces, respectively.

There are different levels of difficulty buyers can choose from. Picture: Etsy

But all that is kid stuff. Pro-puzzlers will opt for their most intense option, “crazy” — a total of 144 half-inch (1.2cm) pieces for $42.92.

“We really didn’t think anyone would rise to the challenge,” the seller writes of their “crazy” puzzle.

“No hints here, just days of fun assembling them.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, puzzles have once again emerged as the most sought-after time-killer since their popularity peaked during the Great Depression, according to the American Jigsaw Puzzle Society.

To illustrate the trend, contemporary puzzle retailer Ravensburger announced this week that demand for puzzles has spiked 370 per cent during the past two weeks.

And those numbers would have us believe that those who love jigsaw puzzles — or are merely using them to pass the time — may have already reached the bottom of their board game bin.

The hardest level has pieces that are just over 1cm long. Picture: Etsy

But the Little Flower Pot Shop is still doing its best to properly challenge puzzle fiends: It promises no repeated pieces and only one correct solution for each puzzle, with no indication of which side of the piece goes up.

Unfortunately, those who dare rise to the challenge will likely wait a minimum of four weeks as the item has soared in popularity. But the product has pleased many a puzzler, according to buyer reviews.

“I only have 2 pieces together so far, but I’m loving this!” wrote one happy customer.

“Great product that is very ingenious in its design,” said another.

“There are some very clever tricks in the design that will definitely surprise and delight anyone who likes puzzles.”

This article originally appeared on the NY Post and is republished with permission.