The present disclosure relates to computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and computer systems for gameplay operations related to a puzzle-based game. In one example, a method can include identifying a puzzle for use in a jigsaw puzzle application, the puzzle comprising a set of puzzle pieces forming a puzzle image. The puzzle is divided into a subset of chunks including mutually exclusive sets of interconnected pieces. The puzzle is presented to a player, where the presented puzzle illustrates the set of puzzle pieces and includes prompting the player to select a particular piece as a starting piece. In response, the chunk associated with the particular piece is identified. An area for solving the identified chunk associated with the particular piece is presented, where the area includes a solution area for solving the identified chunk and a player hand area for providing potential pieces for solving the identified chunk.