Puzzle Design Competition HOME

Nob Yoshigahara Puzzle Design Competition

Announcing the 2026 Competition

The Nob Yoshigahara Puzzle Design Competition was established in 2001 to promote and recognize innovative new designs of mechanical puzzles. The twenty-sixth annual competition begins this year, with judging and announcement of results in June 2026. See the full details using the following links.

Summary Information

Rules: Eligibility and Form of Entry

Rules: Judging and Awards

Schedule

The 2025 Competition Results

65 puzzles entered; the 2025 Competition Entries page includes designers, images, and descriptions.

Judging was at IPP42. The Puzzlers' Award is selected by IPP attendees; all other prizes selected by Judging Committee.

Puzzlers' Award
Jury Honorable Mention

Diagonal Twins
Yasuhiro Hashimoto

Jury Grand Prize

Fafnir's Fortress
Luke Waier

Jury Grand Prize

Arch Nemesis
Rio Chilson

Jury First Prize

Gordian Knot
Lewis Evans, Robert Yarger

Jury Honorable Mention

Chained Frames
Koichi Miura

Tetromino Island
Koichi Miura

Top 10 Vote Getters

The following designs were in the top-10 (+1 due to tie for 10th place)
in voting for the Puzzlers' Award, but were not otherwise recognized
with a formal Jury prize.

Tortoise Protocol - Junichi Yananose
Fudge - Takuro Kawasaki
Cold Duck Time - Stephan Baumegger
Tetromino+1 - Yasunari Makino
Toaster - Koichi Miura
Rombox - Yavuz Demirhan
Star Puzzle - Akira Nishihara

Full Competition History Search

2025 Competition Results and Entry List
2024 Competition Results and Entry List
2023 Competition Results and Entry List
2022 Competition Results and Entry List
2021 Competition Results and Entry List
2020 Competition Results and Entry List
2019 Competition Results and Entry List
2018 Competition Results and Entry List
2017 Competition Results and Entry List
2016 Competition Results and Entry List
2015 Competition Results and Entry List
2014 Competition Results and Entry List
2013 Competition Results and Entry List

2012 Competition Results and Entry List
2011 Competition Results and Entry List
2010 Competition Results and Entry List
2009 Competition Results and Entry List
2008 Competition Results and Entry List
2007 Competition Results and Entry List
2006 Competition Results and Entry List
2005 Competition Results and Entry List
2004 Competition Results and Entry List
2003 Competition Results and Entry List
2002 Competition Results and Entry List
2001 Competition Results and Entry List

Design Competition Trophies

Three Twins by Yavuz Demirhan

made by Tom Lensch

Award Pins

Puzzlers' Award and
Grand Prize

First Prize and
Honorable Mention

Certificates

Top-10 Voting