SengSo Axis Mirror SQ-0

SengSo Axis Mirror SQ-0

This ShengShou (SengSo) puzzle combines three ideas: the Square-0 design, offset axes of rotation (off-axis) and the Mirror Cube principle. SengSo Axis Mirror SQ-0 has no colors to match, because all faces are the same color. You solve it by the shape of the pieces alone. Once scrambled, the cube loses its cubic shape, which makes it a shape mod puzzle.

How Square-0 works in the Axis Mirror version

Square-0 is a Square-1 without edges. The top and bottom layers consist of corners only, with the middle slice between them. There are fewer pieces than in a Square-1, but the way you turn it is the same: you rotate the top and bottom layers and perform a slice move through half of the cube.

In the Axis Mirror version, the cuts are offset from the center. The top and bottom layers have the same height, but their pieces are mirror images of each other. As a result, the pieces have different shapes. After just a few moves, the cube looks much more complicated than it really is.

Difficulty level

Axis Mirror SQ-0 is considered one of the easier shape mod puzzles. The hardest part is recognizing the pieces. Without colors, you have to look at the shape and height of the faces, and in the off-axis version these differences can be small. If you know Square-1 or have already solved a mirror-type cube, you will quickly see that these are familiar solutions in a new form. If you are just getting started with unusual puzzles, it is a gentle introduction to the Square family.

Who is it for?

Mainly for collectors and people who already have a few classic cubes and want something different. This is not a puzzle for setting times: Square-1 is a WCA event, but this modification is not. What matters here is the fun of the unusual geometry and the fact that the cube looks great on a shelf. It also makes a good gift for a cuber who already owns the basic models.

Specifications

• Type: shape mod puzzle, Square-0 off-axis mirror
• Manufacturer: ShengShou (SengSo)
• Size: approx. 56 mm
• Weight: approx. 69 g
• Construction: top and bottom layers made of corners only plus a middle slice, no edges
• Color variant: Black