The Pyraminx Duo is a twisty pyramid (a tetrahedron) that’s much simpler than the classic Pyraminx. It was invented by Oskar van Deventer based on an idea by Rob Stegmann, Meffert’s mass-produced it, and here QiYi offers its own version, with a black body.

• BrandQiYi
• TypePyraminx Duo (tetrahedron)
• Pieces4 corners and 4 centres
• WeightAbout 99 g

How it works

Each face has one centre and three corners. When you turn a corner, it rotates on its own axis and carries along the three centres around it, which pass beneath it to their new position. The goal is to make each face a single colour. The number of possible combinations is very small (324), so any scramble can be solved in very few turns and there’s no need to learn algorithms: it’s enough to watch how the centres move.

Design

QiYi’s version has a black body and brightly coloured faces. Those who use it highlight its smooth turning, with a small click at the end of each move indicating that the piece has reached its place. It weighs about 99 g, so it feels solid in the hand without being heavy.

Which level

It’s often recommended as a first introduction to twisty puzzles, for both children and adults, or as a step before the classic Pyraminx. Anyone who already solves cubes will finish it in no time; in that case its appeal lies in the mechanism and in having it in the collection.