Puzzle guide
A Beginner’s Guide to Six-Piece Burr Puzzles
Understand key pieces, notch patterns and the assembly method used by classic six-piece wooden burr and cross puzzles.
A burr puzzle is made from notched pieces that interlock around a central space. The classic six-piece form is often sold as a wooden cross, Chinese cross or interlocking cross.
Find the key piece
When assembled, one piece normally has a small amount of movement. Sliding it creates room for a second piece to move, beginning the disassembly sequence. During assembly, that same piece usually goes in last.
Sort by notch pattern
Lay the pieces in the same orientation and compare the depth and position of every notch. Pieces that look identical from one side may differ on the reverse.
Build loosely
Make the central cage from the most deeply notched pieces. Keep it loose enough to accept the remaining pieces. The final plain or shallow-notched bar should slide through a complete channel without force.
See the Cross solution and Japanese Crystal solution for two examples.