QiYi 1x3x3

QiYi 1x3x3

QiYi 1x3x3 is a floppy cube, a flat puzzle with a single 3x3 layer. It looks like a slice cut from a classic 3x3 cube. The colours are not stickers. The faces have coloured tiles that don't peel off or wear down the way stickers do. This version is also shape-shifting: a half turn, which is 90°, pushes a piece outside the square and the puzzle changes shape.

How it turns

For a floppy, the mechanism works very well. Turning is light, and corner cutting is decent for this type of design. Some users describe the feel as sandy and controllable straight out of the box. However, lockups can happen if your moves aren't precise. Once the puzzle is out of its square shape, the layers no longer line up, so you need to watch how you turn individual pieces. Solving then also means restoring the correct shape.

You can change the tension with the adjustment screws. A looser setting makes turning faster, while a tighter puzzle is more stable and locks up less often. The construction is light and delicate, so a piece may pop out if you drop it. It is usually easy to put back in.

Who is it for?

The QiYi 1x3x3 is a great choice for beginners. In its square shape, the floppy cube can be solved after a few minutes of play, and it clearly shows how corners and edges swap places. It makes a good gift for a child or for someone just starting out with cubes. More experienced cubers buy it for their collection, as something to fiddle with during a break, or for the shape-shifting mode, which takes a bit of thinking. The floppy cube is not a WCA event, so this puzzle is not allowed in official competitions.

Specifications

• Type: 1x3x3 cuboid (floppy cube), shape-shifting
• Manufacturer: QiYi
• Dimensions: 59.5 x 59.5 x 21.1 mm
• Weight: approx. 39 g
• Finish: coloured tiles instead of stickers
• Adjustment: tension adjustment screws
• Colour variants: Black, Primary, Transparent
• Release year: 2020
• Official WCA competitions: no
• In the box: puzzle, solving instructions