Domino-Rubik's Cube (2x3x3)

Domino-Rubik's Cube (2x3x3) is another version of the original Rubik's Cube, measuring 2x3x3, invented in 1983 by Professor Ernő Rubik himself. The name comes from its original design: the top and bottom layers are colored black and white, and the tiles on the 3x3 faces are numbered with dots from one to nine, resembling the pieces of a classic domino game. The two 3x3 faces rotate as usual, just like on a Rubik’s Cube, while the four 2x3 faces can only be rotated 180 degrees (a half-turn). This reduces the number of distinct moves and yields a total of 406,425,600 possible combinations—significantly fewer than the 43 quintillion of a standard Rubik’s Cube. Computer simulations show that any combination can be solved in eighteen moves or fewer. It is not an official WCA puzzle, but the unofficial speed record is 1.82 seconds, set by Canadian Julien Adam.

How to play?

Rotate the 3x3 faces just like on a standard Rubik’s Cube. Rotate the four 2x3 faces only 180 degrees—half a turn. Solve the puzzle so that each face has the correct arrangement of colors and dot numbers. Use a limited set of moves to reach the solution in the fewest number of turns in this intricate variation of the Rubik's Cube. Use the "shuffle" and "reset" buttons to start over, or watch as the system automatically solves the cube!