QiYi XiangYun Puzzle 9pcs

QiYi XiangYun Puzzle 9pcs

QiYi XiangYun Puzzle 9pcs is a brain teaser with no turning layers. The set consists of a base plate with a frame and nine flat pieces. The inner walls of the frame have carved, wavy shapes, and your task is to fit all nine pieces inside. The name XiangYun means "auspicious clouds" in Chinese, a traditional decorative pattern. That is where the rounded, cloud-like outlines of the pieces and the frame come from.

What makes it difficult

At first glance it looks like a simple nine-piece jigsaw. The difference is that no piece has a straight edge or a corner you can start from. The edge of the frame is not straight either, so you can't build the "border" first and then fill in the middle, as you would with an ordinary jigsaw. Each piece has to match both the neighbouring pieces and the profile of the walls. Several pieces look alike but differ in the details of their curves, which makes things even trickier.

Once you find the solution, it is easy to remember, so XiangYun offers the most fun during your first attempts. It also works well as a puzzle to hand to someone else.

Build

The pieces are cut from acrylic. They come with a protective film on both sides, which you need to peel off before solving. Without the film the acrylic is transparent; with it, it looks matte. The finished puzzle is flat, measures approx. 16 x 16 cm and fits on a desk or shelf.

Who is it for?

For anyone who enjoys spatial puzzles and sliding or shape puzzles such as Klotski or tangram, and for cubers who want a break from cubes and something different to think about. It is also a good idea for a small gift for a child or an adult. You don't need to know any algorithms, just patience and spatial imagination. If you'd like to start with something easier, try the XiangYun version with four pieces.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: QiYi
• Type: flat puzzle (fitting pieces into a frame)
• Number of pieces: 9 + base plate with frame
• Piece material: acrylic with removable protective film on both sides
• Size: approx. 159.5 x 159.5 mm
• Weight: approx. 147 g
• Colour: Silver