SMUGGLER - an extraordinary packing puzzle

SMUGGLER by Pelikan Puzzle is an exceptional packing puzzle by designer Lucie Pauwels, captivating with its elegant design and clever construction. At first glance, this attractive puzzle seems quite simple – after all, it's "only" about packing the attractive ovangkol wood pieces into a square maple tray. But a closer look reveals that this logic puzzle holds a tricky secret.

The puzzle measures 11.5 cm in diameter and is constructed in three layers. The challenge begins when you discover that some pieces have notches – precise recesses designed to hold four special maple "gold bars." Eight main pieces are each reduced by exactly one voxel, supplemented by four bars of two, which must be integrated seemingly effortlessly – but require masterful planning.

In total, there are two packaging scenarios to solve: one without and one with hidden gold bars. While the first scenario, with its 168 possible solutions, is relatively easy to find, the true ingenuity of the design is revealed when trying to hide all four bars in such a way that the top is still flush with the edge of the tray. There is only one solution for this final step – a challenge for all fans of puzzle boxes and patience games.

SMUGGLER is more than just a simple wooden puzzle. It's an artfully crafted challenge game that demands not only dexterity but also strategic thinking. For puzzle enthusiasts, collectors, and anyone who loves ingenious box puzzles, SMUGGLER is a true discovery – or rather, a well-hidden treasure.