Out Of Center

Designer: Alfons Eyckmans

This puzzle measures: 95 mm x 95 mm x 95 mm

Material: Maple, Bubinga, Wenge

Kevin Sadler wrote about it:
“I am a sucker for a good burr! I am not good at assembly but that is why Andreas gave us Burrtools! The disassembly, I find a delight of effectively exploring a hidden internal moving 3D maze as you slide pieces about. I have quite a few burrs, both stick and board versions and as the number of pieces go up, they get much much more difficult. My 18 piece burrs are always a huge challenge and this one by Alfons Eyckmans is something very different to everything else I have ever seen – this is the first time I have ever seen an 18 piece board burr! It certainly is not for beginners. Jakub and team have made this beautifully from Wenge, Maple and Bubinga. They have made it a decent size at 10cm across.
 
This is a huge challenge but also a lot of fun. From the very beginning there are quite a few possible moves but the pathways aren’t very long to get lost in. It will be important, as with all board burrs, to ensure everything stays aligned and no rotations happen. I don’t think there are any early rotational shortcuts but small rotations will block the required moves. As I got further and further into the puzzle, I realised there was a repetitive locking and unlocking sequence which gradually made space for pieces to be further and further extended out of the puzzle. The burr has a level 22.3.6.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.2.2 disassembly which is just perfect for most experienced burr-istas and it remains pretty stable right through to the final pieces being removed.
 
Having taken it apart, there was no way that it was going back together from memory. Burrtools to the rescue again and despite being a board burr and despite the huge number of pieces, it was a nice easy assembly to follow. It will look lovely on display.”