Tchibo Mirror User manual

Tchibo GmbH D-22290 Hamburg · 110767AB3X2XI · 2020-11
IQ-Cube "Mirror"
Dear Customer
This unique IQ cube is solved using the same algorithm
as the well known Rubik’s Cube with the 3 x 3 coloured
surfaces. Nevertheless it is a real challenge, even for
the most ambitious of puzzle-lovers!
The surfaces are the same colour but different sizes,
which makes the cube look very messy when twisted
and makes solving the puzzle challenging.
In this guide, we will explain the solution with the
help of a coloured cube.
By following the guide carefully and using a fair amount
of patience and concentration, you should be able to
solve the cube in no time.
To start off, give the cube a good mix up until all pieces
are well jumbled.
We hope you enjoy using this product. Best of luck!
Your Tchibo Team
How to solve the cube
The IQ-cube comprises 6 surfaces, each made up of 9 pieces of different sizes.
It can be helpful to pay attention to the corners on each piece: Rounded corners
always point towards the middle piece in the final cube. The sharp corners are
located on the edges.
One surface with pieces of a certain thickness corresponds to one coloured surface.
Example: the flattest pieces at the top correspond to the white surface.
The solution for correctly arranging the IQ-cube can be broken down into a number
of goal stages. Theses can be solved – depending on the current state of the cube –
by using various algorithms.
In this context, an algorithm describes a specific sequence of turning movements
carried out once or, in some cases, repeatedly, which always produce the correct
result.
The surface is always determined by the centre piece - even when all other pieces
are at different heights, the surface around the "flattest" middle piece is always
considered the "flattest" surface.
Of course, to begin with, the cube needs to be thoroughly mixed up before you can
start attempting to solve it.
rounded corner
– points towards
middle piece
sharp corner
– points outwards
turn clockwise
F= front
L= left
R= right
U= up
D= down
2F = 2x front
turn anti-clockwise
F' = front
L' = left
R' = right
U' = up
D' = down
2F' = 2x front
F
L
R
U
D
F'
L'
R'
U'
D'
Turning movements and algorithms
2x 2x
Solving the cube in 7 stages
Goal stages – starting from the flattest ("white") surface on the top of the cube
As of stage 4, the cube is then solved with the "white" surface facing downwards
cube
unsolved
1) level 1:
solve edges
(white cross)
3) level 2:
solve edges
4) level 3:
align edges
(yellow cross)
5) level 3:
arrange edges
6) level 3:
arrange corners
7) level 3:
solve corners
turn cube2) level 1:
solve corners
Corner piece
(3 colours)
Edge piece
(2 colours)
Middle piece
(1 colour)
Corner piece
(3 sides)
"red"
Edge piece
(2 sides)
Middle piece (1 side)
"blue"
"white"
very flat
very tall
"yellow"
"yellow"

1) Level 1 – solve edges (the "white" cross)
The flattest pieces are the easiest to identify.
Therefore, it is best to look for the flattest middle piece first (see image).
This corresponds to the white middle piece on the Rubik's Cube.
In this first step, bring the 4 edge pieces into position around the "white"
centre piece.
Hold the cube so that the "white" centre piece faces upwards.
Find the position of the 4 "white" edge pieces, i.e. the flattest edge pieces
This isn't easy!
There are no specific algorithms for this step as there are too many
possible configurations for the pieces you need.
This step must be solved using trial and error:
To move an edge, it must always be rotated around one of the two adjacent
centre pieces.
Look closely at the position of the edge you wish to move and try
to imagine the path that this edge piece needs to take in order to reach
the correct position next to the white centre piece.
The edge piece is in the right position when it is flush with the bordering
middle pieces.
In the example, one of the edge pieces is above the wrong middle piece
and is twisted. To align it correctly in its position, carry out the following
algorithm as often as is needed until the "white" surface lies flat against
the "white" middle piece.
U' – R' – U – F'
Then turn the upper most level until the second side of the edge piece
lies flat against its middle piece.
MLook for all 4 edge pieces in this way and turn them into the right position.
Starting position Goal
The surfaces which have not
been arranged are greyed out,
but in position in the image to give
you an overview.
U' – R' – U – F'
Possible algorithms
U' – R' – U – F'
repeat until the piece is in the correct position
F' – R' – D' – R – 2F
then use algorithm (1) if necessary
then use algorithm (1) if necessary
2x
2x
1
2
3
2) Level 1 – solve corners
Next, bring the corner pieces to the upper level. Use the same algorithm
for every corner - if necessary, keep repeating until the corner stone is
in position.
1. Hold the cube in such a way that the corners you need to solve point
towards you (at the top between front and right - here marked black).
2. Find the right corner piece and turn it into position under the corner
you need to solve.
3. Use this algorithm, and repeat if necessary.
4. Do the same to solve all of the other corners.
R' – D' – R – D
... repeat until the piece is in the correct position ...
4
3) Level 2 – solve edges
From here turn the cube upside down: the "white" side is facing down, the
"yellow" side up. For the IQ cube that means that the side with the tallest
pieces is at the top.
Next, bring the edge pieces to the middle level. For every edge piece,
use one of three possible algorithms.
1. Hold the cube in such a way that the side you need to solve point
towards you.
2. Find one of the suitable edge pieces and - if possible - turn it into
position at the top above the corresponding centre piece.
3. Use this algorithm, and repeat if necessary.
4. Do the same to solve all of the other corners.
U – R – U' – R' – U' – F' – U – F
U' – L' – U – L – U – F – U' – F'
5
6
Algorithm 5+ 2U + Algorithm 5
R' – D' – R – 2F

4) Level 3 – align edges (the "yellow" cross)
In the fourth step, bring the 4 edge pieces into position around the top
"yellow" centre piece. First, turn it only so that it is correctly aligned ("yellow
facing up") - the correct position above the side centre pieces will follow later.
There are three possible cases, which can all be solved using the same
algorithms:
the only thing that differs is how often you need to do it. Align the
cube each time as illustrated!
(If the cross happens to appear by chance, you can of course skip this step.)
F – R – U – R' – U' – F'
F – R – U – R' – U' – F'
F – R – U – R' – U' – F'
7
1x
2x
3x
"yellow line“
"yellow corner“
"yellow dot“
… repeat once more if necessary…
5) Level 3 – arrange edges
Here there are two possible ways of moving the edge pieces into the
correct position above the side centre pieces.
In the bottom case, the same algorithm as above must be carried out once,
then the cube brought into position as for the swapping over corners, and then
the algorithm repeated.
swap over corner
swap opposite
edge pieces
R – U – R' – U – R – 2U – R' – U
R – U – R' – U – R – 2U – R' – U
8
1x
2x
2x
… in between hold the cube as illustrated above…
6) Level 3 – arrange corners
In the sixth step, bring the corner pieces into position, the alignment is not
important at this stage.
Align the cube with one correct corner facing to the front right and keep
it in this position for all phases of the algorithm.
U – R – U' – L' – U – R' – U' – L
9
… repeat until all corner pieces are in position…
7) Level 3 – solve corners
Finally, the corner pieces are aligned correctly.
Align the cube with the corner which needs to be solved to the front right.
When you have solved the corner, turn just the top side (U')so that the
next corner which needs to be solved is located to the front right.
The rest of the cube must be stay like this - in between everything will
look messy and jumbled but will come together at the end!
R' – D' – R – D
10
… repeat until the corner is solved,
then U’ and repeat with the next corner...
Done!
WARNING. Not suitable for children
under 36 months. Small parts.
Risk of choking.
Product number: 606 180
Made exclusively for:
Tchibo GmbH, Überseering 18,
22297 Hamburg, Germany