Calvins Puzzle TomZ Constrained Cube 90

Calvins Puzzle TomZ Constrained Cube 90

At first glance, it looks like an ordinary 3x3 cube. The difference shows up on the very first turn. On the TomZ Constrained Cube 90 from Calvin's Puzzle, each face can only turn within a 90-degree range. The movement is limited by a lock hidden in the centers. The cube was designed by Tom van der Zanden (TomZ) and created in cooperation with Mr. Bao (Dayan) and HK Now Store. This version has a black body.

How the restriction works

Each face has only two positions and moves between them by a quarter turn. You can't do moves like R2. A face you've just turned clockwise can only go counterclockwise next time. Because of this, most familiar algorithms don't work in their usual form. You have to plan the solution while keeping track of the current position of every face. It feels more like a logic puzzle than solving against the clock.

Construction

The cube is made of three main parts:

• the body of the Dayan Bermuda Cube,
• the locking mechanism in the core, taken from the mf8 Crazy 3x3,
• centers with stoppers designed by TomZ.

The centers are noticeably larger than on a regular 3x3 cube, so it's clear right away that this is an unusual model. The cube has no magnets and isn't meant for speedcubing. What matters here is thinking, not TPS.

Versions 90, 180, 270 and Ultimate

The Constrained Cube series includes several versions that differ in how far the faces can turn:

• 90: all faces turn by 90 degrees,
• 180: all faces turn by 180 degrees,
• 270: all faces turn by 270 degrees,
• Ultimate: the faces have different restrictions, including one locked face and one face that turns without restriction.

Version 90 is a good place to start with the series. The rule is easy to understand, yet the challenge is still considerable.

Who is it for?

For someone who can solve a regular 3x3 cube and understands how the basic moves work. Without that, it will be hard to reach a solution on the Constrained Cube 90. It's also a great fit for collectors of unusual puzzles and for cubers who have grown bored of solving a standard cube. It's not a good choice as a child's first cube.

Specifications

• Type: 3x3 cube modification with restricted face turning (constrained)
• Manufacturer: Calvin's Puzzle
• Designer: Tom van der Zanden (TomZ)
• Restriction: all faces turn by 90 degrees
• Magnets: none
• Body color: black