Expert's 2x2x2 cube






The name "Expert's 2x2x2 cube" is chosen to relate to the Beginner's Cube which can be created with exactly the same set of stickers.


Since all 8 cubies are different and none is invarant when twisted, the number of possible positions on the Expert's Cube is the same as on a regular 2x2x2 Cube: 3'674'170.

It may also be reminiscent of the Shepherd's cube . But the Shepherd's cube consists of two groups of three cubies where all three cubies in a group look the same. The other two cubies are invariant when twisted. Therefore the Shepherd's cube can show only 34'020 different positions.

Some interesting patterns can be set up with the Expert's cube. This is why I thought for a moment I should call it "Tangram cube".
B2 R' U R B R' B U' leads to:


Walter Randelshofer was fast in setting up a virtual Expert's Cube.

What a clever design! This really makes it a challenge solving a Pocket Cube.
Once the cube is scrambled, the hardest thing is to find the right pieces because they all look the same.

I also like the Tangram like patterns that can be created with this cube.

A sticker mod! How oldfashioned!
And cool.

Why didn't you add colors? Why black and white?

Looks cool!

I like it in BW, nice how the tangram patterns blend in with the black body. Who Will offer the stickers, Oliver?

I don't think that this can be sold in larger quantities, but of course if there are some interests, and ortwin agree with it, I can print out some sets of this.
(Or you can buy the normal Beginner's cube stickers for 2x2x2 and sticker up like this)

Black and white goes best with the idea of this minimalistic aproach. And also it fits best with my other black and white twisting puzzles.
By the way those are not black and white stickers, its white stickers cut diagonally in half, like for my 6x6x6 supercube. Here its cubesmith 5x5x5 stickers that fit perfectly on eastsheen keychain cubes (which you can get 5 pcs of for less then $ 4 including shipping).

Wow. Nice. It looks so simple. it's hard to believe it's just as hard as a regular 2x2x2.

Cool concept