Prox is a wooden puzzle from the Czech workshop Vinco, the label under which Václav Obšivač handmakes his own designs. Assembled, it forms a compact body of about 90 mm with a wooden marble trapped inside. The aim is to get the marble out and then put everything back as it was.

• BrandVinco
• TypeCoordinate motion
• MaterialMixed woods
• Size90 mm
• Pieces6
• Difficulty3 (Vinco scale)

How it works

In coordinate motion puzzles the pieces aren’t removed one at a time: several have to move together for the whole thing to open or close. It’s a family to which Obšivač has devoted a good part of his catalogue. In the Prox the challenge has a specific goal, freeing the marble, and reassembling it afterwards, with the marble back inside, is the second part of the challenge.

Design and manufacturing

Each puzzle is cut and assembled by hand, combining woods of different tones, so the grain and colour vary from one unit to the next. The inner cavity leaves some free space, and the maker himself suggests using it to hide a small gift inside the puzzle.

Skill level

Vinco gives it a 3 on its difficulty scale, a moderate level in a catalogue where many models reach 5. A good fit for anyone who wants to try coordinate motion without starting with the workshop’s most demanding designs.