QiYi 2x3x3 Cube

QiYi 2x3x3 Cube

QiYi 2x3x3 is a cuboid, a rectangular version of the cube: it is two layers high and three layers wide. In shops you will often find it listed as 3x3x2 or 233. At first glance it looks easier than the classic 3x3, but in practice it works differently and you have to learn it from scratch. You can solve it just for fun, and it also makes a great addition to your puzzle collection.

How it differs from a 3x3 cube

Only the two square 3x3 faces, the top and the bottom, turn by 90 degrees. The side faces are 2x3 and can only be turned by 180 degrees. A quarter turn of such a face would lock up the puzzle. Because of this, the top and bottom colors always stay in place, and regular 3x3 algorithms have to be adapted into versions that use only half turns of the side faces. In practice, you first solve one 3x3 layer and then the other. Near the end you may run into cases that never occur on a regular cube, such as two swapped corners. That is why solving instructions are included in the set.

How it turns

Cuboids, especially older ones, were known for heavy mechanisms prone to catching. The QiYi 2x3x3, on the other hand, turns smoothly and quietly. Users praise its smooth turning and decent corner cutting for a puzzle of this type. The stickerless version is fairly slippery, so it may slip out of your hands during fast solving. The black version with stickers gives a slightly better grip. The mechanism has hidden internal parts, so it is not well suited for modding. You can adjust the layer tension with screws.

Who is it for?

For anyone who can already solve a 3x3 and wants to try something new without spending a lot of money. It also nicely complements a cuboid collection. The QiYi 2x3x3 is not a WCA event, so you buy it for the puzzle itself rather than for competitions. For a child who is just starting out, it is better to get a classic 3x3 first.

Specifications

• Type: 2x3x3 cuboid (3x3x2)
• Manufacturer: QiYi
• Dimensions: approx. 60.5 x 60.5 x 40.3 mm
• Weight: approx. 84 g
• Adjustment: adjustment screws
• Release year: 2019
• Official WCA event: no
• Color versions: Black, Stickerless Bright
• In the set: puzzle, solving instructions