Quattro Formaggi
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We all knew that Jean Claude Constantin can create amazing original puzzles, but did you know that he can also take someone else's design and turn it into something even more appealing? That's what he did to Stewart Coffin's design #167, the Cruiser. A difficult Packing Puzzle with only four pieces.
Quattro Formaggi, the new version, has more character, more style. It can capture your attention right away by the originality of its design. Simply put, the new design is a whole lotta cheese. Both the frame and pieces represent the famous Swiss cheese, Emmental. Even the wood used for the puzzle has that characteristic yellowish tone. This is also a relatively small puzzle, with dimensions of 11cm x 9.5cm (4.3" x 3.7"), with the inner frame being 8.7cm x 6cm (3.4" x 2.4").
If you solved the Cruiser before, there's really nothing new to challenge you here, unless you'd like it for collecting purposes. The concept and proportions of the puzzle are exactly the same. The difficulty is unchanged, which is quite challenging by the way, considering it's only a four-piece puzzle.
Luckily for me, solving the puzzle wasn't as hard as I was expecting. It took me less than 10 minutes. That's because I had solved a similar puzzle a while ago by the name of Quadratum Cubicum, more specifically Abu Bakr Al-Khalil's design. The idea is to form a perfect square with the provided fragments, or pieces. The only difference between these two puzzles is that the solution for the Quattro Formaggi doesn't involve a square, but a rectangle instead. Also, when solved, the pieces don't occupy all the rectangle's area, leaving some empty spaces (excluding the piece's circular cuts).
Solution: If you need help with the solution, just take a look at the solved puzzle here.
Closing Comments:
Quattro Formaggi is proof that Constantin can accomplish anything in puzzle design, even with other's creations. I never tried Coffin's original design, but from what I've experienced with Constantin's version, the puzzle concept in itself is a superb puzzle. If you like Packing Puzzles, you should give this one a try.
Availability: You can get a copy of Constantin's Quattro Formaggi at Sloyd.
Links:
7 comments:
I've been trying this for days now but to no avail. How can it be so difficult with only four pieces? Just amazing. Can't wait for the moment I finally get it.
Keep trying, Teemu. You'll eventually get there. The solution is quite elegant ;-)
Yes! Made it! Wife peeked the solution linked on this page and she teased me with constant "do you want a hint" queries. But tonight I finally solved it! And feel myself proud and stupid at the same time: how did it take me so long?
An excellent, excellent puzzle.
Congratulations, Teemu! If you liked that puzzle, Constantin has dozens of other great designs. Packing puzzles are among my favorites, and I also loved this one. And the solution is quite elegant, wouldn't you agree?
Puzzle Regards ;-)
Absolutely, it's truly elegant. Beautiful and deceivingly difficult.
guy, the solved pic shows up on google images. not good..
you should say that it requires no force, that the pieces fit easily with the solve.
There are many things wrong with your message:
First, you should identify yourself when commenting. Second, where do you know me to call me "guy". Third, you should complain to google about the solved pic. I don't control what appears on Google's images. Finally, I think an intelligent person who understands how packing puzzles work should already know that they don't require force to be solve. And next time, try not to be so rude.
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