QiYi Skewb Diamond

QiYi Skewb Diamond

QiYi Skewb Diamond is an octahedron-shaped puzzle based on the Skewb mechanism. It calls for a different way of thinking than a regular cube. It has 8 triangular faces, each in a different color. Some shops also sell it as the 2x2 FTO, because it looks like a simplified version of the Face-Turning Octahedron. This QiYi model has no magnets.

How the Skewb Diamond works

The moves are the same as on a Skewb. The puzzle turns around four axes, and each move twists half of the shape. The difference lies in the shape and the color layout. There are 6 pieces at the vertices, each with 4 colors. The face centers hold 8 single-colored triangles. Because of this, you track the pieces differently, and standard Skewb algorithms won't work without changes. While solving, you also need to watch the orientation of the vertex pieces.

If you can solve a Skewb, you'll quickly get the idea, but you'll still need to experiment for a while. If you don't know the Skewb yet, it will be easier to start with the classic version. The Skewb Diamond is not a WCA event, so people buy it for their collection and for variety rather than for competition practice.

Build

The pieces are shaped to prevent popping, meaning pieces falling out during vigorous turning. This version has no magnets, so the layers don't snap into place on their own. When turning fast, you need to align your moves a bit more precisely. For relaxed solving and learning, though, this is not a problem. The only color scheme available is Stickerless Bright.

Who is it for?

For people who have already solved a Skewb or a Pyraminx and are looking for another affordable puzzle with an unusual shape. The Skewb Diamond also works well as a first step before a larger FTO and as a gift for a puzzle collector. For a child who is just starting out, a classic 3x3 cube or a regular Skewb will be a better choice.

Specifications

• Type: Skewb Diamond (octahedron, 4 axes of rotation), also called 2x2 FTO
• Manufacturer: QiYi
• Size: approx. 65.5 mm
• Weight: approx. 70 g
• Magnets: none
• Color scheme: Stickerless Bright