# A Genetic Algorithm-Based Solver for Very Large Jigsaw Puzzles

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1711.06769 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/1711.06769/

## Key facts

- Cited by 13 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 17 Nov 2017.

## Built on by (most cited first, 13 of 13)

- [Re-assembling the past: The RePAIR dataset and benchmark for real world 2D and 3D puzzle solving](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2410.24010/) (2024)
- [GANzzle: Reframing jigsaw puzzle solving as a retrieval task using a generative mental image](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2207.05634/) (2022)
- [Multi-Phase Relaxation Labeling for Square Jigsaw Puzzle Solving](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2303.14793/) (2023)
- [ERL-MPP: Evolutionary Reinforcement Learning with Multi-head Puzzle Perception for Solving Large-scale Jigsaw Puzzles of Eroded Gaps](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.09608/) (2025)
- [PuzLM: Solving Jigsaw Puzzles with Sequence-to-Sequence Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2511.06315/) (2025)
- [The Missing GAP: From Solving Square Jigsaw Puzzles to Handling Real World Archaeological Fragments](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.12077/) (2026)
- [Human-imperceptible, Machine-recognizable Images](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.03679/) (2023)
- [Solving Convex Partition Visual Jigsaw Puzzles](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2511.04450/) (2025)
- [JigShape: Evaluating Visual-Geometric Reasoning in VLMs through Jigsaw Puzzles](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.27670/) (2026)
- [Automated Graph Genetic Algorithm based Puzzle Validation for Faster Game Design](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2302.09040/) (2023)
- [CFE-PPAR: Compression-friendly encryption for privacy-preserving action recognition leveraging video transformers](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.05692/) (2026)
- [JigSync: Gauge-Resolved Synchronization for Jigsaw Reassembly under Unknown Piece Orientation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2609.18379/) (2026)
- [Fix the Match, Not the Solver: STITCH -- a Self-Supervised Compatibility Measure for Eroded Visual Puzzles](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2610.13176/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

In this paper we propose the first effective automated, genetic algorithm (GA)-based jigsaw puzzle solver. We introduce a novel procedure of merging two "parent" solutions to an improved "child" solution by detecting, extracting, and combining correctly assembled puzzle segments. The solver proposed exhibits state-of-the-art performance solving previously attempted puzzles faster and far more accurately, and also puzzles of size never before attempted. Other contributions include the creation of a benchmark of large images, previously unavailable. We share the data sets and all of our results for future testing and comparative evaluation of jigsaw puzzle solvers.