YuXin 1x3x3 Floppy Cube matte stickers

YuXin 1x3x3 Floppy Cube

YuXin 1x3x3 Floppy Cube is a puzzle shaped like a single layer of a 3x3 cube. It has a square base of 57 x 57 mm and is 19 mm thick. This version has a black body with matte stickers. The Floppy has no hidden mechanism, core or springs, so it's easy to learn and easy to handle.

How does the Floppy Cube work?

Only the four outer strips turn, each by 180 degrees. With every turn, the pieces on top move to the bottom. The centre stays in place, while the four corners and four edges get scrambled. With each move, one side colour strip switches sides. So at first you need to keep track of both the position of the pieces and the colours on the sides. Once you understand how the half turns work, solving goes quickly and doesn't require long algorithms.

The Floppy works a bit like an introduction to 3x3 cubes: it teaches you to think about swapping pieces and about how one move affects the rest of the puzzle. An experienced cuber won't need much time to solve it. It's great as a quick break or as part of a collection. The Floppy Cube is not a WCA event.

Build

The body is black, and the colours are marked with matte stickers. Matte stickers don't shine and show fingerprints less. Like on any stickered cube, the stickers may wear at the edges over time. The design is simple and the moves are limited to half turns, so things known from speedcubing cubes, such as corner cutting or tension adjustment, don't apply here.

Who is it for?

For a child or an adult who is starting out with puzzles and wants something simpler than a classic 3x3 cube. The Floppy is flat and light, so it easily fits in a pocket or backpack. Cubers will enjoy it as an inexpensive break from the 3x3 and an addition to their collection of flat 1xNxN puzzles.

Specifications

• Type: 1x3x3 puzzle (Floppy Cube)
• Manufacturer: YuXin
• Dimensions: 57 x 57 x 19 mm
• Body colour: black
• Colour marking: matte stickers
• Moves: half turns (180°) of the four outer strips
• Magnets: none