Z-Cube Clover Cube

Z-cube Clover Cube

Z-cube Clover Cube is a shape-shifting puzzle from the edge-turning family, meaning it turns around its edges rather than its faces. Structurally, it is a modification of the Curvy Copter. Its heavily rounded pieces form a clover-like pattern on every side, which is where the name comes from. It is made by Zcube and was released in 2019.

How the Clover Cube works

On a classic 3x3 cube you turn the faces. Here the axis of movement runs through an edge, and the basic move is a 180-degree turn that swaps the pieces on both sides of that edge. If you only know 3x3-style cubes, it usually takes a little while to get used to this kind of movement.

The second important thing is jumbling. If you turn an edge only partially rather than the full 180 degrees, you can make a move on a different axis. The pieces then start mixing in ways that are impossible with regular turns, and the cube loses its cubic shape. That is why the Clover Cube belongs to the shape-shifting puzzle category. Jumbling raises the difficulty considerably: without it the puzzle is a medium-level challenge, but once scrambled this way it requires a good knowledge of edge-turners.

Tension adjustment

Tension is set with adjustment screws. On edge-turners this matters a lot. A looser setting makes partial turns and jumbling easier. A tighter cube is more stable and less prone to accidental shifts, but it turns more heavily. With this type of design, some catching may occasionally occur on the rounded pieces. This is a normal characteristic of this kind of mechanism, not a defect of a particular unit.

Who is it for?

For those who have already tried the Skewb or Pyraminx and want something with different mechanics. It is best suited to collectors and fans of unusual puzzles, especially if you already know the Helicopter Cube or the Curvy Copter. It is not a WCA event, so it is not a puzzle you buy for competitions. For a child's first puzzle, a classic 3x3 cube is a better choice.

Specifications

• Type: shape-shifting puzzle, edge-turning (Curvy Copter modification)
• Manufacturer: Zcube
• Size: 58 mm
• Weight: approx. 106 g
• Adjustment: adjustment screws
• Release year: 2019
• Approved for official WCA competitions: no
• Available variants: Black, Stickerless Bright, Bright/Black
• In the box: puzzle