July 2022 Update Preview

We were surprised when JinHoo contacted us with his latest design, Taco Cube. JinHoo is a very successful puzzle designer with multiple creations manufactured by the esteemed Hanayama company. He honored us by choosing Cubicdissection to craft his latest puzzle from wood!

Taco Cube is a tricky and fun assembly. This interlocking puzzle is made from two identical frame parts combined with two sets of identical pieces. While not overly difficult, the solution is exciting and satisfying.

This batch of Taco Cube was constructed from Walnut and Padauk. Approximately 77 copies will be available. Taco Cube ships in an unsolved configuration.

5L Bin is an engaging binary sequence puzzle from designer Pit Khiam Goh. Known for his work in creating complex sequential mechanisms, 5L Bin results from Pit folding n-ary concepts into a packing puzzle format. The goal is to remove all five pieces and then pack them back into the box.

5L Bin is an extremely well made puzzle. The walnut box is constructed with rounded edges, resulting in a pleasing tactile sensation. The precision-milled aluminum pieces slide smoothly into place with a satisfying click. Once assembled, the contrasting dark wood and bright metal create a visually compelling combination. 5L Bin just begs to be picked up and solved repeatedly.

5L Bin ships in an assembled configuration.

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 will be a split release between our July and August updates, with 35 copies coming this month and a similar quantity to follow next month. Chess Box is shipped in an unsolved configuration.

Partitions is another innovative design by the talented Pit Khiam Goh. Comprised of eight identical interlocking pieces, the goal is to take the puzzle apart and then put it back together again. Even though there are only ten moves in the solution, it's trickier than you might expect, and plays with assumptions you may have about lattice puzzles.

Made of precision-machined brass with a nice grain imparted by the brushed finish, Partitions has a pleasant weight to it, and a solid feel when assembled. Equally fun to pick up and play with as it is to solve, it makes a lovely display piece to keep on your desk so it's always handy for fidgeting.