Chinese puzzle

1. A puzzle game consisting of intricate and complex pieces that fit together in a specific manner, especially of multiple boxes that fit inside one another. My uncle gave me this Chinese puzzle for Christmas, and I still haven't been able to solve it! Here, get the kids going on this Chinese puzzle—it'll keep them quiet and occupied for hours. Chinese puzzles like that just frustrate me—I don't have enough patience to figure out the very specific way all the pieces are supposed to fit together.

2. Any problem, question, or situation that is especially complex or difficult to understand. Dealing with growing income inequality is truly a Chinese puzzle for lawmakers today. I can't understand a thing about how this engine works, it's like a dang Chinese puzzle! The tech department can't solve this Chinese puzzle, we're gonna have to push back the app launch date.