They don't need AI, just call my Wife!

[Uncle Gizmo]

Over Christmas, I joined in with my wife in completing Jigsaw puzzles.

Unexpectedly, I discovered it was very interesting and challenging, on a par with programming!

I realized that the secret to "Puzzling" was finding the "Edge Cases". In trying to find a link between edge cases in science, and edge cases in puzzles, this, the first article I found that broadly fits...

Using Artificial Intelligence To See the Plasma Edge of Fusion Experiments in New Ways

MIT researchers are testing a simplified turbulence theory’s ability to model complex plasma phenomena using a novel machine-learning technique. Understanding plasma turbulence is key to developing viable fusion energy. Abhilash Mathews at MIT uses machine learning and simplified models to enhanc

scitechdaily.com

If you have ever "Puzzled" you will know that the first thing you do is pull out all of the edges. This is a physical edge case, in that there is no real decision to make on what constitutes the edge, it is physically there, in the box.

The next stage is to find other edges within the confines of the puzzle. These can be the joins between different coloured sections, like the ground and the sky, clouds against the blue sky. You might find faces, animal shapes, vehicles, houses. In a kitchen scene there might be an AGA cooker, a table, a dish cloth.

And that's the skill, to choose the edge case that returns the most bang for your buck.

 

[jdraw]

Good stuff Tony. My wife (and I) do some puzzles. Here's one that edges proved not to be the strategy.
With this one you start in middle and work out, because all edge pieces are jagged, it was different.
.

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

Here's one that edges proved not to be the strategy.

That's a beauty!!!

 

[kevlray]

I couple of the puzzles I have are in an odd shape (not rectangular or square). The first few times solving the puzzles were a bit challenging.