For those who stifle a yawn when perusing the usual catalog of 1000-piece puzzles, and for those who want not just a little challenge — but a big one — look no further. We’ve taken the care to compile a list of ideas for your perusal.

We hope to get you to think a little more about how to make your life (or the life of someone you love dearly) just a little bit more difficult. Remember: puzzle headaches are tons of fun, especially when they happen because of love.

The Myths

Puzzles don’t necessarily become more challenging as the piece count increases. Actually, there are some out there that are plenty challenging, and they have 100 pieces or less. And just because a puzzle is monochromatic (one color) doesn’t mean it’s mission impossible. Sometimes, the more colors, the more challenging a puzzle is.

So what makes a puzzle really challenging? Let’s dig in. And let the pain begin.

2000 Piece Puzzles — or Even More

If you’re a seasoned vet of the puzzling scene, perhaps a 2000-piece puzzle — or even a 3000-piece puzzle — is what the doctor ordered. Just be careful. Consider the details carefully as you’re browsing through the options at the puzzle store.

Increasing the piece count by 50% could raise the bar exponentially. You may find you’ve bitten off more than you can chew, and puzzles don’t have cheat codes (which is one reason they’re so cool).

The more challenging puzzles are going to mess with your head a little at this level. You may need to invest in a few accessories, such as a puzzling mat or sorting drawers.

Amping up the piece count is going to amp up the colors, shapes, border pieces, and more, and if the colors are either highly variegated or the puzzle’s image is mostly monochromatic, it will definitely be a challenge.

This is a case of being careful what you ask for.

The Challenge Is in the Cuts

One of the sneakiest ways to make a puzzle challenging is to step outside the box of usual puzzle shapes. If you really want a challenge, pay a little less attention to the descriptor “x-piece puzzle” and look for puzzles with weirdly-shaped pieces. And then, of course, best of luck to you. It’ll be oh so fun.

Two-Sided Puzzles?

This is a thing. And it’s challenging for sure. But this challenge may also push some over the edge from “This is fun!” into “WHY?!”

To communicate what we mean, we must ask a rhetorical question: Is it like getting two for one? Or is it instead designed to trigger OCD tendencies (however latent) that exist somewhere deep inside every one of us? Either you’re okay with destroying all of your work on one side to solve the other side, or you’re not.

Depending on how you feel about it, things could be stressful with a two-sided puzzle.

Since every piece has one of two possible solutions, you’re not even sure which version you’re solving until you’re almost finished. Sure, some allow you to cheat a little because one side is gloss finished and the other is matte, but some don’t have this feature. Let the buyer beware.

3D Puzzles

These might be categorized more as games by some (and torture devices by others), but they can be plenty challenging, even with fewer than 100 pieces. Some even have fewer than 50.

Some are spherical, some are shaped like common objects, and some will drive you batty.

These are a great way to stimulate creative thinking and challenge yourself — and your family. Or even your guests. Whatever the case, it’s going to generate more conversation than watching TV.

Monochromatic Puzzles

Of all of the jigsaw puzzles for adults that are out there, these are some of the most challenging. There’s little to gauge by as you attempt to place pieces into the assembly, so these puzzles are not for the faint of heart.

If everything's the same color, it’s extremely difficult to judge the differences between the pieces and get them where they need to go. Better buckle up for this kind.

Puzzles with Lots of Colors

Buffalo Games offers the Color Challenge puzzle, and it’s a huge challenge even though it’s only 1000 pieces. The reason for this is because of the color gradients, which really stretch visual and spatial recognition and strategic thinking skills.

Puzzles with lots of tiny details and color pops are a huge challenge too. Whether the entire image is just candy bar wrappers, road signs, or even — get this — random puzzle pieces, sometimes the high contrast of the image is what’s challenging.

Other Puzzle Types

There are puzzles out there made of random black lines on a monochrome white background that are a huge challenge. Others feature geometric outlines in every color of the rainbow that twist in trippy-looking designs reminiscent of the rules at play in work by M.C. Escher.

Still others feature images taken by the Hubble telescope, which are very difficult to navigate your way around as you solve them.

And at least one puzzle that we found out there doesn’t have just one solution but endless possibilities because its pieces interlock in multiple combinations. Making puzzles like this one extra challenging is the fact that, in effect, there are no border pieces.

Another super challenging puzzle type is any that offers nothing but a simple gradient, like one that shifts from gray to black. A good example of one of the few really challenging 100-piece puzzles, this type will challenge you.

We remember one from back in the day, too, that was kind of a gag gift you’d give to Granddad to provoke him (lovingly). It was called “Spilled Milk,” and it was simply an image of a puddle of chocolate milk.

As an added bonus, it was also shaped like a puddle of spilled milk, which made it even more hilarious. Every piece was the exact same color, but of course, Granddad could finish it.

Eventually.