QiYi Clover Cube

QiYi Clover Cube

QiYi Clover Cube is an edge-turning puzzle, which means it turns around its edges rather than whole layers. Mechanically, it is a variant of the Curvy Copter designed by Yukang Wu. On every face, the curved cuts form the shape of a four-leaf clover, which is where the name comes from. The puzzle is a shape mod: just a few of the right moves and it no longer looks like a cube.

How the mechanism works

The cube has 12 edges. You can turn any of them, and each turn moves a group of pieces around that edge. It gets more interesting when you set two edges at a specific angle to each other. That unlocks jumbling moves, which swap pieces in ways that regular turns can't. These are the moves that change the puzzle's shape and make it much harder to solve than the plain Copter.

According to users, the Clover Cube turns smoothly right out of the box. Lockups happen mainly when the edges aren't precisely aligned before the next move. This is a puzzle for relaxed solving, not for setting fast times. If you turn aggressively, you need to watch the alignment of the pieces more closely than on a classic cube.

Who is it for?

For anyone who has already solved a 3x3 and a few other puzzles and wants to try something with completely different mechanics. Algorithms from the 3x3 cube don't carry over directly. Understanding how the pieces move and being able to build your own sequences is far more useful. Jumbling puzzles are nothing to be afraid of, but this isn't a good choice for a child's first puzzle.

If the Clover Cube isn't enough of a challenge, the same family also includes a Plus version, which adds 2x2-style layer turns to the edge turns. The model described here has edge turns only.

Specifications

• Type: shape mod, edge-turning puzzle (Curvy Copter variant)
• Manufacturer: QiYi
• Size: 68 mm
• Weight: approx. 184 g
• Number of turning edges: 12
• Colour version: stickerless bright