QiYi Windmill Cube

QiYi Windmill Cube

A classic 3x3 shape mod from QiYi. Inside, the QiYi Windmill Cube has the same piece layout as a regular 3x3. The difference is that the top and bottom faces are cut diagonally instead of parallel to the edges. Once scrambled, the puzzle loses its cube shape, and the top and bottom faces start to look like the blades of a windmill, hence the name.

If you can solve a 3x3 cube, you can solve the Windmill Cube too. The same methods work, whether that's the beginner's layer-by-layer method or CFOP. The differences are in the details. Because of the diagonal cut, some of the colors on the corners are hidden, so you need to pay attention to both the color and the shape of the pieces. This can make PLL recognition harder than on a regular 3x3. The Windmill is also a so-called supercube: the centers of the four side faces have an orientation and must be rotated correctly for the puzzle to look solved. At the end, one short center-rotation algorithm will come in handy. For example, (R U R' U) x5 rotates the top center by 180°.

The internals use a speedcube-style mechanism. The pieces hold together well, and the rounded internal shapes allow a little corner cutting. The cube turns smoothly, and lockups are rare. Don't expect it to behave like a modern magnetic 3x3, though: this puzzle has no magnets and is meant more for solving for fun than for speed. You set the tension with the adjustment screws, just like on a classic cube without a key-based tension adjustment system.

The Windmill Cube is a great first shape-shifting puzzle for anyone who has mastered the 3x3 and wants to try something new without learning a new method. Collectors of shape mods will enjoy it too. It is not an official WCA event.

Color variants: Black, Stickerless Bright, Jelly color and Bright/Black.

Specifications:
Type: 3x3 shape mod (shape-shifting puzzle)
Manufacturer: QiYi
Size: approx. 57 mm
Weight: approx. 99 g
Tension adjustment: adjustment screws
Magnets: none
Release year: 2019
Official WCA event: no

In the box you will find:

1. the puzzle