Kaggle puts up $50K to pack squares into squares — only 59 of 1,000 puzzles have proven optima

MeganRisdal · x · 2026-10-22

Kaggle launches the Squares in Squares competition: pack 1 to 1,000 unit squares into the smallest square container possible. Grids waste space — tilting a few squares at the right angle can shrink the box. Only 59 of the 1,000 puzzles have proven best answers; the rest are open. Prize pool: $50,000, entry deadline July 11, 2027, with prize milestones at 3, 6, and 9 months. Megan Risdal says she lobbied for the title "how many hats can you fit on a hat" and is curious what progress humans + AI will make.

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