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World Mechanical Puzzle Competition (WMPC)
USA Pilot Edition 2026
Where learning meets creativity, logic, and play.
Launched in Italy in 2020, the World Mechanical Puzzle Competition is now growing from a national phenomenon into a global challenge that inspires curiosity and sharpens the mind.
In 2026, the Competition will make its debut in the United States with a Pilot Edition held across selected educational and community venues, offering a unique, ready-to-host educational experience.
Discover one of the previous editions of the competition in Italy through our video - don’t forget to enable English subtitles to follow along!
COMPETITION OVERVIEW
The competition can be hosted in a school, library, or cultural center and welcomes participants of all ages at the venue's discretion. All participants are placed into the appropriate categories for rankings and prizes, and no prior experience or preparation is required.
All participants will receive the same set of seven original mechanical puzzles, designed with different difficulty levels and materials. Each puzzle reveals a word or number when solved. Participants record their answers on the provided sheet and keep the puzzles after the event.
The competition lasts about two hours, and top performers in each category earn certificates and prizes. During the pilot phase, rankings and awards will be managed locally, while future editions will align with the world competition featuring unified rankings and prizes.
EDUCATIONAL VALUE
Logical reasoning is rarely taught as a dedicated subject, yet it remains a fundamental life skill. Through their rich variety, mechanical puzzles stimulate distinct cognitive processes, fostering reasoning, problem-solving, and out-of-the-box thinking. Because each puzzle operates differently, the act of solving them trains the mind to become more independent, inventive, and resourceful. When combined with play, learning transforms into an experience that is both engaging and accessible to all.
The World Mechanical Puzzle Competition embodies core STEAM principles, blending logic, engineering, and design into a hands-on experience that turns abstract thinking into playful discovery.
The competition stands out among educational events by combining:
• Fairness - Success depends on observation, strategy, perseverance, dexterity, and 3D reasoning - not just mathematical skill. Anyone can excel, regardless of previous training or background.
• Curiosity - Mechanical puzzles are physical and tactile, sparking natural curiosity through texture, design, movement, and sound.
• Craftsmanship - Each puzzle is handmade, reminding participants of the beauty of tangible, artisanal objects in a digital age. Every participant keeps their puzzles as a lasting, shareable learning experience.
OUR MISSION
Our goal is to promote mechanical puzzles as meaningful brain-boost games that nurture creativity, focus, and perseverance, both in and outside the classroom.
We aim to show that puzzles are not just niche hobbies, but powerful educational tools that bring people together, making learning fun, social, and deeply rewarding for all ages. By partnering with schools, libraries, and cultural venues, we turn every event into a shared celebration of curiosity, problem-solving, and hands-on discovery.
MECHANICAL PUZZLES
Mechanical puzzles are crafted from quality materials such as wood, acrylic or metal and come in many forms - assembly, disentanglement, interlocking, mazes, hidden mechanisms, and more.
Their power lies in their tactile nature: physical, collectible objects that invite direct interaction and spark curiosity. Each puzzle challenges the solver to persist until every secret is uncovered - whether by assembling shapes, unlocking a mechanism, or separating interlocked pieces.
Though rooted in ancient traditions, mechanical puzzles are experiencing a modern revival through online communities and live events. They can be cherished as gifts, collectibles, or shared moments of playful discovery.
MEET THE BOARD
Cristian Poliziani, PhD
Co-Founder
Scientist and founder of NoWayPuzzle, featuring original mechanical puzzles recognized by leading international distributors, social channels, and design competitions.
Hyde
Co-Founder
A lifelong creator of puzzles and magic effects, founder of PlayBrain, one of Italy’s leading puzzle shops and brands, and followed by hundreds of thousands enthusiasts across social media.
FROM ITALY TO THE WORLD
Map of the current competition venues in Italy
The World Mechanical Puzzle Competition WMPC was founded in Italy in 2020 by Cristian and Hyde, two mechanical puzzle designers passionate about education and creative problem-solving.
Since then, it has grown into a nationwide initiative supported by schools, educators, and cultural partners - engaging over 4,000 participants across more than 60 venues and featuring a total of 35 original puzzles designed exclusively for the events.
With five successful editions and the support of sponsors such as Rubik’s Official, the competition continues to expand internationally, bringing the joy of learning through play to new communities around the world.
With this strong foundation in place, we are pleased to invite venues throughout the United States to become part of this expanding international initiative.
Discover the full story of the Italian editions at mechanicalpuzzlecompetitions.com.
COLLECT PAST EDITIONS
3rd Edition (2023)
4th Edition (2024)
