http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/blog.php?14052-Sillas All puzzles, all the time. Come in and discuss the latest puzzles, techniques, competitions, learn to cube, and more! en Wed, 22 May 2013 12:49:03 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/blog.php?14052-Sillas http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/entry.php?310-CFOP-Method-Creation Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:40:11 GMT *Interview with Jessica Fridrich* *-What motivated you to create a new method?* Many of your questions seem to have started with a vision that... Interview with Jessica Fridrich

-What motivated you to create a new method?

Many of your questions seem to have started with a vision that I sat down
one day and created "the" method. This is not how it happened at all. It
was a long process spread over several years during which the system
was evolving. Numerous speedcubers contributed with individual moves,
ideas, hints, sometimes anonymous people on a bus to school.

The motivation was to be faster, of course.

-When you had the idea to create your method?

I got my hands on a solving system before I owned the cube, unfortunately.
In Czechoslovakia in early 80's, it was very hard to get the cube. It was not being
sold there. One had to travel abroad to get one. I started with a simple method
from a Czech magazine VTM and evolved it into my system over the years.

-Who motivated, inspired and helped you to create?

Everyone around me. There was my buddy, Ludek Marek from the same high school
with whom I would exchange ideas and compete against. Later on, it was Mirek
Goljan and friends from cube clubs at the Czech Technical University and at
Charles University in Prague.

-As you systematized and developed the method?

I started with the following system from the VTM magazine:

- cross
- 4 corners
- 4 edges from 2nd layer (essentially one algorithm)
- flip edges
- place edges
- twist corners
- place corners

First, I switched the order of the four phases for the LL to flip edges + twist corners, then permute
edges and permute corners. It was Ludek Marek, who pointed out that when there was this "T"
pattern on the last face, flipping edges accidentally also twisted the corners, saving a step. This
gave me an idea to develop algorithms that would do the orientation of all 8 cubies at the same
time and then the permutation at the same time. This breaking up of the LL into two phases made
a lot of sense to me as the orientation patterns were easily recognized and so were the permutations.
It was much easier to recognize the orientations and permutations than to see how to flip and permute
edges at the same time.

Since there were no computers powerful enough to develop the best moves, I started assembling the
algorithms for the LL by hand. The recipe was simple -- do something to the LL with a few moves and then
solve the LL in a different manner. Then see what happened, try the inverse.

Next, I tried to develop algorithms for inserting two edges into the middle layer instead of just one.
This was the system that allowed me to win the first Czechoslovak championship in 1982. Later in June,
I met Guus Razoux Schultz at the World Championship in Budapest. He was using a similar system but,
as far as I remember, he did not unify the phases into orientation + permutation. What caught my
attention was his approach for the middle layer -- he inserted the 4 corners *with* the 2nd layer
edges. I saw this already in use before I met him. For example, my friend Robert Krajca was using this system for the
middle layer. But because he was not too fast, I thought that this was not any good and stuck to my
"two edges to the middle layer" idea. Later that year, I started experimenting with the "Krajca-Schultz"
middle layer only to discover that after little practice and supplying some cute shortcuts, it turned out
to be much faster than what I was using. I completely switched to this system, which is essentially
the same what is on my web site now.

-You really expect that your method was considered one of the most efficient and popular?

Not at all. When I put the algorithms on my web site in 1997, I really thought that no one will ever learn the method as
cubing was pretty much "dead". But in three years, I was surprised how many people visited the
web site and learned the method and worked on it further to become even faster. The new generation
of cubers was as excited as we were in early 80's.

-Which methods you knew before creating it?

As I said above, it was the method from the Czech VTM magazine and also a very very primitive method
from a Russian magazine Kvant, which was in fact the first one I looked at before I owned the cube.

-You expect there may be some improvement in your method?

You mean some more improvement in the future? Sure, there will be.

-What challenges and obstacles you had to face to create it?

Lack of computer power to optimize the moves. The trial and error method was not
very efficient. With computers, one could optimize the algorithms to your hands.

-Where and when you spent the most time developing your method?

At home and then at college, at the dorms, on the bus, train, ...

- Anytime you thought about quitting?

No, not really. It was always great fun for me to search for algorithms and practice their execution. In fact, as I look back, the development was probably more fun than competing.

- When you created, you thought it would be possible to use it with color neutral?

Why not? It would require an individual with extraordinary capabilities, such as Feliks :)
I really wonder how he can figure out in a few seconds which color to use, then all four
edges and the first pair ... This is fantastic.

- Having developed this made ​​you feel accomplished?

Whenever people continue in your steps is always nice. This applies to my research
as well as the cube.

-What are the flaws you had to correct or rework before finalizing?

The biggest flaw was the middle layer as I said above. The second flaw, which I did not
correct was the twisting style. This is a part of the method IMHO as it defines the
algorithms.

- How long did it take you to develop your method from the time you started?

It was a long process that started in the Spring of 1981 and was finished by the end of 1982,
roughly. I kept on adding new algorithms here and there in 1983 and later.

Jessica Fridrich's Website
Wiki ]]> Sillas http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/entry.php?310-CFOP-Method-Creation http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/entry.php?307-Roux-Method-Creation-(Interview-with-Gilles-Roux) Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:02:31 GMT Well, this is an interview with Gilles Roux, who is primarily well-known for inventing an efficient 3x3 method and becoming very fast with it. The... Well, this is an interview with Gilles Roux, who is primarily well-known for inventing an efficient 3x3 method and becoming very fast with it. The creator of Roux Method (wiki).

Location: France
Date: 14/03/2012


- What motivated you to developed a new method?

I wanted to find a personal way of solving the cube. As simple and efficient as possible.
I was trying to learn the F2L+OLL+PLL algorithm. But because of my limited number of neurons, I thought I would never learn all the orientation sequences.


- When you had the idea to create your method?


Summer 2003.


- Which methods you knew before creating it?

As many others, I explored all possible ways of solving the cube, understanding the pros and the cons of every technique, trying to imagine as others all combinations of pieces for every step, reinventing the wheel, inventing things published later by others.
Before I decided to use my technique, I was rather fast following Lars Petrus' approach.


- You expect there may be some improvement in your method?

There are potential improvements, but it's hard to tell whether they can lead to faster times or not. Simplicity makes looking ahead easy. One day, perhaps, a crazy cuber will be able deal with random unmatching 1x2x3 blocks, early edges orientation, optimal 'last 6 edges' solving and other tricks... just not me.


- What challenges and obstacles you had to face to create it?

- Where and when you spent the most time developing your method?

- What are the flaws you had to correct or rework before finalizing?

- How long did it take you to develop your method from the time you started?


It was mainly a matter of having the basic idea. It's not a work that costed me 15 years and a leg, you know.

Let me just tell you how it came, if I can remember correctly.

As a beginner, I used to finish my solves with the edges of the last layer. Some sequences involved use a lot of inner slice moves I found rather understandable and ergonomical. I missed those sequences. And I saw that keeping 5 or 6 edges for the last part didn't make things much more complicated.
The idea of an "edges last" method was nothing but new of course. Before that, I had already analyzed "corners first" methods. In my opinion, they were relatively weak precisely because they were "corners first" -> Edges all around the cube, difficult to track.

I thought that before ending solves with M and U moves that make your cube look a "T", I could just build the first two 1x2x3 blocks in an efficient way, taking care of 2 or 3 pieces at a time.

I wanted to make the method as simple as possible and I was happy to realize how simple it is to orient the last 6 edges using very few tricks.

The last thing I needed to find in order to make the method elegant was to find a new way to solve the last corners. I hate to learn tons of stupid move sequences. But I failed.
It took me 6 months to learn all corner sequences.

I remember when I discussed the limits of this algorithm with people on the forums. I was hoping for 16 seconds. The same limit I imagined for F2L+OLL+PL. :-)


- How you systematized and developed the method?


Well, I thought you had the answer when I explained how I had the ideas of the different substeps.
There's not much to discribe for the first blocks, it's mainly efficient intuitive block building like in other methods for the first layers, 2 or 3 pieces at a time. I proposed sequences for many cases you can face while building the second block, but you can discover them naturally with practice.
For the last edges, orientations and solving the last L-edge and R-edge are just easy tricks.
And for the last corners, it's nothing more than sequences. Jelinek's ACube helped me to find good QTM-friendly sequences.


- Do you really expect that your method was considered one of the mosts efficient and popular?

I didn't expect it to be popular since it did not seem faster than the 'standard' speedsolving algorithm.
I told you I expected approximately similar times for this technique and F2L+OLL+PLL. But sometimes it's hard to tell, especially when you suck at solving fast.


Thank you so much for your patience to answer that interview.


"I believe in intuition and inspiration. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution. It is, strictly speaking, a real factor in scientific research." Albert Einstein

Gilles Roux's tutorial
Waffle's Roux Tutorial
5BLD's and PandaCuber's Roux Tutorial

Forum Thread about that interview


By: Sillas Tsutsui da Silva ]]> Sillas http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/entry.php?307-Roux-Method-Creation-(Interview-with-Gilles-Roux) http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/entry.php?23-The-Faztest Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:30:42 GMT If your main challenge was to overcome yourself? Every day In each solve Each Record If the parameter of the humanly possible was you? How... If your main challenge was to overcome yourself?
Every day
In each solve
Each Record
If the parameter of the humanly possible was you?
How would you deal with the pressure?

He broke 26 World Records in 2011 - the second place, 4.
The best Speedcuber of the history
You should know about what I'm talking :)

Well, he’s Feliks Zemdegs. This person changed the limits of the Speedcubing. He granted me an interview, about his training, memorization, PB’s, personal preferences and color neutrality, of course. The complete interview, you can read below. Enjoy! ;)


Interview with Feliks Zemdegs

Location: Melbourne, Australia
Date: 14/02/2012


-What is your PB’s (personal best) in the puzzles 2x2-7x7 (lucky/nl/5/12/100) ?

2x2: no idea/no idea/1.6x/1.8x/2.1x
3x3: 4.68/unsure/6.94/7.78
3x3 OH: 8.xy/unsure/11.xy/12.2x or something/14.xy
4x4: 26.xy/unsure/34.xy/unsure
5x5: 48.23/56.xy/1:00.xy
6x6: 1:43/Mid 1:50's/2:00.xy/2:06.xy
7x7: 2:59/3:2x/3:29/3:38

Color Neutrality

-About color neutrality, it can helps in what you? Just in the cross?

It helps in the cross, and the lookahead to the first pair, which in turn helps the whole solve flow.

-What is your advice for cubers that want to be color neutral?

Start practicing it as soon as possible, it’s easiest to learn it when you first learn to solve a cube, but if you want to switch, it’s definitely possible, quite a few people have done it

-Since when you are Color neutral? Somebody adviced you?

Since I learnt the cube. In his video, Dan Brown (pogobat) advises people to not only solve on green, but start solving on the easiest cross to cut off time, which makes sense logically.

Training/memorization

-How many hours for day you train (in average)? Where? And how you divide your train?

In 2009/2010, a fair bit – it’s never easy to put a number on it, but if I was to have a guess, maybe 30-60 minutes Monday-Friday, and 1hour+ on weekends. I normally practice in my room, but it often helps to do casual, slow solves, just practicing lookahead, and messing around with the cube. I had no regime, I just practiced whatever I wanted to, whenever I wanted to.

In 2011, it probably looked like I was practicing heaps, but really, I just maintained my speed, taking breaks, and solving less. This year, and next year are the most important schooling years, and I really don’t see myself going crazy with the cube like I did when I was 13 or so.

-What is your advice for cube training?

Only practice when you want to, don’t force it. Do slow solves without a timer. Play around with the cube, try things out.
“Breaks make you better” – Stefan Huber/Breandan Vallance

-Where did you get the algorithms that you use?

The ones I first learnt for OLL and PLL were from Badmephisto.com, but since then I’ve learnt so many different cases and algs, from a wide variety of sources, and I don’t really remember.

-What is your technique for memorization and recognition of cases?

Just do it. Practice. There is no secret to learning and recognizing cases. It takes time, and practice. The more algs that you learn, the easier they become to learn.

Inspection

-What you see/find in the inspection time?

Cross and first pair. If I don’t find the first pair in inspection, it is usually not a great solve.

Personal

-What WR let you more accomplished?

I think my favourite world record was the 3x3 single – 7.03, just because I finally did what everyone was expecting me to do. Some others that stick out are the 9.21 average for 3x3, the sub minute average for 5x5 at worlds, and probably my 4x4 blindfolded – as it was so unexpected.

-What are your best friends that more help you?

Well, I could go on forever naming people who inspired me, or who I consider good friends. The cubers here in Melbourne are all really cool, the community is really nice. Some of my friends from school also take interest in what I do.

-Do you listen music when you are solving and training? What kind of?

Yes, most of the time, as you can see in my videos, otherwise it gets quite boring.
I enjoy all sorts of music, and my tastes change day to day. The main artists I listen to are: 360, Coldplay, Crowded house, Eminem, Evanescence (yeah, bit weird), MGMT, Muse, My Chemical Romance, Paramore, Red Hot Chili peppers, and Tim Minchin, but he doesn’t really count
Also, I recently downloaded this, and I’m listening to all of those songs at the moment (link)

-What you want to be when you grow up? (occupation)

I’m not too sure at this stage, I’m looking towards something in the engineering or business fields.

-Do you want, more forward, to create a new method?

No, I’ll leave that to other people :p

-What the best cube in your opinion? And what is that you more trained?

It’s all personal preference, but generally any Dayan brand cube is really good. In my opinion, the ZhanChi is the best for speedcubing.

-How their parents deal with you cubing?

My dad comes to competitions to help out and film, and as long as I’m not cubing when they go to sleep, they don’t really mind it.

What is your favorite subject in the school ?

Maths or Chemistry

- Do you practice some kind of physical exercise?

If by physical exercise, you mean sport, then I play tennis, soccer, and golf
But if it was for cubing - I don't do any specific drills or exercises for cubing.

Thank you so much, Feliks for your collaboration and patience. This was very interesting.

So, that was The Fazt. :D


"Contrary to appearances there is a great gulf between Feliks and other speedcubers. At this point I cannot see anybody who could beat his Rubiks Cube records." Z.Z.
"Feliks is simply incredible. I miss words that would describe his cube skills. Not in my wildest dreams I
would ever imagine that someone could solve the cube this fast. He is an outlier among outliers. I have never
met him in person and do not know the details of his technique" Jessica Fridrich

Feliks’ Channel
Fazdad Channel

By: Sillas Tsutsui da Silva
Contact: sillas_tsutsui@hotmail.com ]]> Sillas http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/entry.php?23-The-Faztest http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/entry.php?21-Interview-with-Jessica-Fridrich-and-Zbigniew-Zborowski-about-Feliks-Zemdegs Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:09:04 GMT This is an Interview with Jessica Fridrich – who developed the most used method for Speedcubing - and Zbiginiew Zborowski - that developed the ZZ... This is an Interview with Jessica Fridrich – who developed the most used method for Speedcubing - and Zbiginiew Zborowski - that developed the ZZ Method and is one of creators of ZB method.
Two great names of Speedcubing answering questions about Feliks Zemdegs, the current world record holder 3x3, with 5.66 seconds (non-luck solve) and a lot of others WR's.
First I was thinking to make a video, but that interview seems to me more interesting than a video. :)

Zbigniew Zborowski part of the interview:

Location: Poland

- What you think about Feliks Zemdegs records and his technique?

I am very impressed by Feliks technical; his fingers move so quickly that I cannot catch situations and algs he uses.
I am sure he practises very much and, first of all, he has got unique talent!
His records speak for themselves - they are incredible like his solving.

- Do you think that there is now someone who can beat the Feliks' records ? Taking into account that top cubers rarely a time sub-6 and almost always when they are lucky.

Contrary to appearances there is a great gulf between Feliks and other speedcubers. At this point I cannot see anybody who could beat his Rubiks Cube records.
But history shows that nothing lasts forever. My conviction borders on certainty there will soon appear someone who will beat today records.


- Have you seen anyone so many times beat their own world records or come close to do it?

I guess this is the longest series - this situation is really exceptional! What more Feliks does not seem to stop right now.


- And what do you think about the time limit for speedcubing today? It's really close to the edge of the humanly possible?

No, I do not think so! I thought so many years ago, when records were about 15 seconds.
Now I am far from putting any limits. Speedcubing is still too young as the sport discipline - we have to wait for achieving a kind of records stasis.


- Do you think that may arise most efficient methods for Speedcubing than Fridrich (CFOP) and ZB?

I am sure there will arise better methods that will even displace Fridrich, but I do not think that will happen in near future.
There are too many speedcubers using Fridrich.

There has to appear a new talent, like Feliks, who will use, since his very beginnings, well prepared better-than-fridrich method.
Maybe several-years-records stasis will be a kind of trigger to look for new possibilities using other methods?
Future will show...





Jessica Fridrich part of the interview

Location: New York, USA

- What you think about Feliks Zemdegs records and his technique?

Feliks is simply incredible. I miss words that would describe his cube skills. Not in my wildest dreams I
would ever imagine that someone could solve the cube this fast. He is an outlier among outliers. I have never
met him in person and do not know the details of his technique but I heard that he is "color neutral"
meaning that he can start solving with any color of the first layer without impeding his speed. This by itself
is amazing as I do not know anyone else who is color neutral. This, undoubtedly, buys him time right in the
beginning.

- Do you think that there is now someone who can beat the Feliks' records ? Taking into account that top cubers rarely a time sub-6 and almost always when they are lucky.

There is apparently no one today who can come even close, at least it seems so. But in the past ten years,
we have had this feeling many times -- when someone suddenly dominated and seemed invincible. Even though
it does not seem possible that there might ever be anyone faster than Feliks, I alibistically refrain from making this
claim! :)

- Have you seen anyone so many times beat their own world records or come close to do it?

Nope. This only underlies his dominance and exceptional skills.

And what do you think about the time limit for speedcubing today? It's really close to the edge of the humanly possible ?

I am being much more careful now with predictions of the limits. In 1997, I thought it would be 13 on average.
This is laughable, I know, but at that time, an average of 13 sec. seemed as unachievable as traveling to Mars.
The absolute limit? OK, take the average number of moves you need to solve the cube, which is about 19 or so.
If there was an individual who could "see" the shortest algorithm or close to the shortest, and was able to carry it out
at 10 moves per second, you get the limit of about 2-3 seconds. Of course, this seems ridiculous today but who
knows in 10, 20, ..., 50 years ... or maybe only in five. I mean we are all constantly being stunned by what some
folks can do ...

- Do you think that may arise most efficient methods for Speedcubing than Fridrich (CFOP)?

Well, records changed around us, so did the cubers and the technique of turning the cube faces but this method seems to stick around. It is a far cry from what I have on my web site as the modern-era cubers replaced
the algorithms optimized for a different style of twisting but it is the same house nevertheless with a
very different furniture inside. Is it going to slowly morph into a different approach? Is it going to be replaced
with something completely different? Only the future will show.


By: Sillas Tsutsui da Silva. ]]> Sillas http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/entry.php?21-Interview-with-Jessica-Fridrich-and-Zbigniew-Zborowski-about-Feliks-Zemdegs