August 2022 Update Preview

Jammed Gem is the latest Sequential Discovery collaboration between Frederic Boucher and Eric Fuller. The pair knew that any follow-up to ResQ would have to up the ante. Finalizing the design took months to complete. Similar to ResQ, Jammed Gem is packed with secrets and puzzling value.

The goal is to find the gem jammed inside somewhere. While ResQ and Jammed Gem share a few similarities, Jammed Gem takes a different approach to deny the solver. We can't say more without revealing spoilers, but we can say that the duo has pulled out all the stops, with many new tricks and obfuscations awaiting.

Jammed Gem was challenging to craft. The work pushed our limits and required the development of several new jigs and techniques. This puzzle epitomizes the type of work that very few in the world can execute, representing a flagship offering you won't want to miss.

We have created two variants; one with a sleek quartersawn walnut and deep wenge box and pieces from finely grained Bubinga, the other with a bright quartersawn Sapele and black palm box containing pieces from dark Macassar Ebony.

Jammed Gem will be split-released in two batches. This first release will contain about 60 copies of each wood combination for around 120 copies total. The remaining 80 copies will become available in our upcoming October 3rd update. Jammed Gem is signed and dated and ships in an unsolved configuration.

Pennytentiary was our first coin release puzzle and the culmination of months of design and prototyping. To solve this sequential discovery puzzle, you must release the penny trapped inside.

Pennytentiary's complexity and depth rival that of our trickiest puzzle boxes. The solution is very challenging, with multiple "aha" moments to be found. Success relies upon the discovery and use of various tools to execute more than dozen confounding moves. No force, tapping, banging, or dexterity is required. Pennytentiary ships in an unsolved configuration.

Reviews and Blog Posts:

• FiveSinatras posted a great blog review of this puzzle.
• Allard wrote a fine review on his Puzzling Times Blog Post.
• Josh Darrah has an excellent write up of the puzzle found here.
• Mr. Puzzle's video review ** Spoiler Warning - this link contains the puzzle's solution** here

This puzzle contains small parts and should be kept away from children. We recommend exploring Pennytentiary on a flat surface.

Benno de Grote's "Chess Box" is a celebration of two of our favorite pastimes: puzzles and chess. A large and well-built puzzle box, none of its secrets can be observed simply by looking at it. Once you've figured out the rules of the game, you've got 30 moves ahead of you. However, that will only get you to "check." It's going to take further maneuvering to reach "checkmate" and claim your crown.

Made of laser-cut Okoume wood with a contrasting ebonized ash and bright maple exterior finish, Chess Box took a lot of work to assemble. There are over 50 individual pieces that went into its construction, with the chessboard squares carefully laid out by hand to recreate the iconic grid we all know and love. Chess Box is an excellent addition to any collection, and would look great displayed alongside the Hanayama Rook, Bishop, and Pawn chess piece puzzles.

This is the second half of the split release from July.

To solve FastMaze 1, you must navigate the four brass pins through the stacked aluminum mazes until it comes apart into the seven component pieces. Since all elements interact, this is more difficult than it might seem! Making space to allow one move will block others. Finding a solution will take time as you learn the interactions and limitations of each maze piece.

There are three FastMazes, each in increasing difficulty. FastMaze 1 has a level 52.24.28.10.9.14 solution, with 137 moves required for complete disassembly. Rotations are allowed and sometimes necessary, but no guarantee they will help! The brass pins unscrew for an easy reset using the included instructions should you get hopelessly lost. No force is necessary at any time.

FastMaze 1 is precision crafted from machined aluminum and solid brass. The puzzle does not show any laser cutting marks as cheaper metal puzzles often do. Each piece was custom milled, and the attention to detail is apparent. Every maze edge is micro-chamfered for a smooth feel and easy movement. The plates are finished with fine sandblasting, similar to high-end electronic goods, and are clear anodized which makes them scratch and tarnish resistant. The tight tolerances guarantee smooth movement and make it a joy to pick up and play.

Also available are FastMaze 2 and FastMaze 3, each increasing in difficulty. They are sold separately but can also be purchased as a set of all three.

This puzzle ships assembled. The solution is available upon request.

To solve FastMaze 2, you must navigate the four brass pins through the stacked aluminum mazes until it comes apart into the seven component pieces. Since all elements interact, this is more difficult than it might seem! Making space to allow one move will block others. Finding a solution will take time as you learn the interactions and limitations of each maze piece.

There are three FastMazes, each in increasing difficulty. FastMaze 2 has a level 73.23.30.12.9.13 solution, with 160 moves required for complete disassembly. Rotations are allowed and sometimes necessary, but no guarantee they will help! The brass pins unscrew for an easy reset using the included instructions should you get hopelessly lost. No force is necessary at any time.

FastMaze 2 is precision crafted from machined aluminum and solid brass. The puzzle does not show any laser cutting marks as cheaper metal puzzles often do. Each piece was custom milled, and the attention to detail is apparent. Every maze edge is micro-chamfered for a smooth feel and easy movement. The plates are finished with fine sandblasting, similar to high-end electronic goods, and are clear anodized which makes them scratch and tarnish resistant. The tight tolerances guarantee smooth movement and make it a joy to pick up and play.

Also available are FastMaze 1 and FastMaze 3, with the former requiring fewer moves to solve and the latter being more difficult. They are sold separately but can also be purchased as a set of all three.

This puzzle ships assembled. The solution is available upon request.

To solve FastMaze 3, you must navigate the four brass pins through the stacked aluminum mazes until it comes apart into the seven component pieces. Since all elements interact, this is more difficult than it might seem! Making space to allow one move will block others. Finding a solution will take time as you learn the interactions and limitations of each maze piece.

There are three FastMazes, each in increasing difficulty. FastMaze 3 has a level 121.30.20.8.8.9 solution, with 196 moves required for complete disassembly. Rotations are allowed and sometimes necessary, but no guarantee they will help! The brass pins unscrew for an easy reset using the included instructions should you get hopelessly lost. No force is necessary at any time.

FastMaze 3 is precision crafted from machined aluminum and solid brass. The puzzle does not show any laser cutting marks as cheaper metal puzzles often do. Each piece was custom milled, and the attention to detail is apparent. Every maze edge is micro-chamfered for a smooth feel and easy movement. The plates are finished with fine sandblasting, similar to high-end electronic goods, and are clear anodized which makes them scratch and tarnish resistant. The tight tolerances guarantee smooth movement and make it a joy to pick up and play.

Also available are FastMaze 1 and FastMaze 2 which require fewer moves to solve but come with their own challenges to overcome. They are sold separately but can also be purchased as a set of all three.

This puzzle ships assembled. The solution is available upon request.

This listing is for the entire set of FastMaze puzzles at a discounted price. With hours of solving, the collection represents an excellent puzzling value!

The FastMaze series is a collaboration between Cubicdissection and designer Dan Fast. To solve any FastMaze, you must navigate the four brass pins through the stacked aluminum mazes until the puzzle disassembles into the seven component pieces. Since all elements interact, this is more difficult than it might seem! Making space to allow one move will block others. Finding a solution will take time as you learn the interactions and limitations of each maze piece.

There are three FastMazes, each in increasing difficulty. Rotations are allowed and sometimes necessary, but no guarantee they will help! The brass pins unscrew for an easy reset using the included instructions should you get hopelessly lost.
FastMaze 1 has a level 52.24.28.10.9.14 solution, with 137 moves required for complete disassembly.
FastMaze 2 ups the ante with a level 73.23.30.12.9.13 solution, with 160 moves required for complete disassembly.
FastMaze 3 is the ultimate challenge, clocking in a level 121.30.20.8.8.9 solution, with 196 moves required for complete disassembly.
No force is necessary at any time. Can you solve them all?

FastMazes are precision crafted from machined aluminum and solid brass. The puzzles do not have laser cutting marks as cheaper metal puzzles often do. Each piece is custom milled, and the attention to detail is apparent. Every maze edge is micro-chamfered for a smooth feel and easy movement. The plates are finished with fine sandblasting, similar to high-end electronic goods, and are clear anodized which makes them scratch and tarnish resistant. The tight tolerances guarantee smooth movement and make it a joy to pick up and play.

Also sold individually as FastMaze 1, FastMaze 2, and FastMaze 3.

Each puzzle ships assembled. The solutions are available upon request.

Eight Crosses is a cleverly designed packing puzzle with nine different challenges of varying difficulty. The goal is to pack the 8 pieces into the frame such that the half-crosses join to make whole crosses.

There are multiple goals, with different solutions for each number of crosses between zero and eight. While it's easy to make four or five full crosses, there are fewer solutions when you attempt to solve for a higher or lower number of crosses. Only one solution exists for zero or eight crosses!

This batch was constructed from cast acrylic in bold blue and yellow, and ships in an unsolved configuration.

Three Visually Impaired Rodents is a packing puzzle inspired by the classic nursery rhyme song of a similar name. These poor unsighted creatures are having a tough time getting themselves and their cheese back into their den.

They can easily manage to pass two of their family and all the cheese, or all three mice and only one piece of cheese. But they need your help to get everything inside before the cat returns. Can you help them?

Three Visually Impaired Rodents was constructed from cast acrylic with a black and white tray, little grey mice, and some nice yellow cheese. It ships in an unsolved configuration.