# A Generalized Genetic Algorithm-Based Solver for Very Large Jigsaw Puzzles of Complex Types

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1711.06768 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/1711.06768/

## Key facts

- Cited by 6 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 17 Nov 2017.

## Built on by (most cited first, 6 of 6)

- [Re-assembling the past: The RePAIR dataset and benchmark for real world 2D and 3D puzzle solving](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2410.24010/) (2024)
- [Multi-Phase Relaxation Labeling for Square Jigsaw Puzzle Solving](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2303.14793/) (2023)
- [Semi-Supervised Domain Adaptation via Adaptive and Progressive Feature Alignment](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2106.02845/) (2021)
- [Relaxation Labeling Meets GANs: Solving Jigsaw Puzzles with Missing Borders](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2203.14428/) (2022)
- [ReassembleNet: Learnable Keypoints and Diffusion for 2D Fresco Reconstruction](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2505.21117/) (2025)
- [Solving Convex Partition Visual Jigsaw Puzzles](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2511.04450/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

In this paper we introduce new types of square-piece jigsaw puzzles, where in addition to the unknown location and orientation of each piece, a piece might also need to be flipped. These puzzles, which are associated with a number of real world problems, are considerably harder, from a computational standpoint. Specifically, we present a novel generalized genetic algorithm (GA)-based solver that can handle puzzle pieces of unknown location and orientation (Type 2 puzzles) and (two-sided) puzzle pieces of unknown location, orientation, and face (Type 4 puzzles). To the best of our knowledge, our solver provides a new state-of-the-art, solving previously attempted puzzles faster and far more accurately, handling puzzle sizes that have never been attempted before, and assembling the newly introduced two-sided puzzles automatically and effectively. This paper also presents, among other results, the most extensive set of experimental results, compiled as of yet, on Type 2 puzzles.