One-Answer WCA Competition and Regulations Question Thread

[TDM]

It wouldn't. See Nathan Soria's 1.71 DNF. He used 7 moves, but it was a 6 move misscramble.

I was thinking that, but there's no guarantee the WCA will make the same decision twice.

 

[mafergut]

I was thinking that, but there's no guarantee the WCA will make the same decision twice.

They should, or else nobody will trust their decisions again. At least when the case is so clear as "misscrable than can be optimally solved in less than X moves = DNF".

Felix's OH WR was an entirely different issue, as an example, but then, again, presented with "similar" circumstances WCA should reach the same decision. This has established a precedent and, even if it's not clearly defined in the regulations, it should guide future decisions.

 

[Memphis3000]

Can anyone else get onto the cubetcha 2015 website? It just says page not found for me. I just wanted to know if i was the only one or not.

 

[Ranzha]

What's a good estimate for how long it takes between one competitor stopping the timer and the next competitor beginning inspection?

This time includes:

Judge verifies solve
Judge writes down score and resets timer
Competitor 1 signs and leaves table
Competitor 2 comes to table
Competitor 2 settles in indicates they are ready

When making schedules, I (over)estimate there to be 80 seconds between timer stop and timer start for most events. For 5x5-7x7 and Megaminx, I usually use 120.

I could be interested in collecting data about this in various competition environments, but I don't know a practical way to.

 

[Mikel]

Can anyone else get onto the cubetcha 2015 website? It just says page not found for me. I just wanted to know if i was the only one or not.

I cannot access it either. From what I've heard the current listed venue is unusable, so I think they are looking for a different venue. That may be why the website isn't public yet.

 

[Akash Rupela]

Will a custom mat be competition legal (i.e. non speedstacks mat) if used below a speedstacks timer?

 

[Dene]

Will a custom mat be competition legal (i.e. non speedstacks mat) if used below a speedstacks timer?

According to Article 7 of the regulations you must use a fully sized Speedstacks Stackmat.

 

[EvilGnome6]

According to Article 7 of the regulations you must use a fully sized Speedstacks Stackmat.

Does it have to be a Speedstacks branded mat? I thought that "full-size compatible mat" (7f1a) meant it could be a different brand as long as it could meet the requirement that the "timer must be attached to the mat" (7f2).

 

[Dene]

Does it have to be a Speedstacks branded mat? I thought that "full-size compatible mat" (7f1a) meant it could be a different brand as long as it could meet the requirement that the "timer must be attached to the mat" (7f2).

Whoops good catch, yea, any fully sized compatible mat is fine. Actually this regulation has been under discussion recently, because we want to have a minimum standard for what is acceptable.

 

[xsrvmy]

Regarding BLD cube standards

In a BLD event, does my stickers and plastic have to be 100% without chips?

 

[biscuit]

When making schedules, I (over)estimate there to be 80 seconds between timer stop and timer start for most events. For 5x5-7x7 and Megaminx, I usually use 120.

I could be interested in collecting data about this in various competition environments, but I don't know a practical way to.

Possibly have one or two stations with a second stop watch. When the competitor stops the timer, start the second stop watch, then once the next competitor starts stop the stop watch and record the result during the next solve. Not entirely accurate, and you need a good judge but maybe it could work.

 

[EvilGnome6]

Possibly have one or two stations with a second stop watch. When the competitor stops the timer, start the second stop watch, then once the next competitor starts stop the stop watch and record the result during the next solve. Not entirely accurate, and you need a good judge but maybe it could work.

I'll ask for a volunteer to get some samples of the switching times for different events. I'll use a 90 second estimate for now.

 

[biscuit]

I'll ask for a volunteer to get some samples of the switching times for different events. I'll use a 90 second estimate for now.

I can get a couple of samples at my comp in November. Also, what if you had some one in the crowd, or just standing near the table (far enough to not break the regs) do the timing? That could be even more accurate.

 

[EvilGnome6]

I can get a couple of samples at my comp in November. Also, what if you had some one in the crowd, or just standing near the table (far enough to not break the regs) do the timing? That could be even more accurate.

I thought having someone in the spectator area doing the timing would be best. It'd be easy to start the stopwatch when the timer stops and stop it when the cube cover is lifted for the next competitor. That way the timer isn't affecting the judge or the competitor in any way.

 

[Dene]

In a BLD event, does my stickers and plastic have to be 100% without chips?

That depends on who's judging it... Better to be safe than sorry, but personally I'm not super strict about it. Anyone that is actually fast at bld won't be worrying about feeling pieces to figure out where they are anyway.

 

[xsrvmy]

Thanks

 

[henrysavich]

If I identify a corner twist on my cube during inspection caused by the scramblers (My OH cube is prone to do this) is it legal to twist a corner to make the cube solvable and then continue on solving like normal, or should I ask for a rescramble?

 

[biscuit]

If I identify a corner twist on my cube during inspection caused by the scramblers (My OH cube is prone to do this) is it legal to twist a corner to make the cube solvable and then continue on solving like normal, or should I ask for a rescramble?

I would (although not super experienced) notify the judge, and then solve as normal (twist at the end of the solve, or where ever you would normally twist a corner)

 

[mafergut]

If I identify a corner twist on my cube during inspection caused by the scramblers (My OH cube is prone to do this) is it legal to twist a corner to make the cube solvable and then continue on solving like normal, or should I ask for a rescramble?

How would you identify a corner twist during inspection?

 

[Kit Clement]

If I identify a corner twist on my cube during inspection caused by the scramblers (My OH cube is prone to do this) is it legal to twist a corner to make the cube solvable and then continue on solving like normal, or should I ask for a rescramble?

For me, I'd like to have you try the solve if you are being recorded. It'll help if you rotate the cube around during inspection for the camera to make it easy to see all sides -- show this video to your delegate after you try the scramble. If you aren't being recorded, then report it during inspection and ask it to be checked for a rescramble if you are dead sure there's a corner twist.

How would you identify a corner twist during inspection?

If "oriented" is having U/D colors on U/D corners, the number of clockwise twists minus the number of counterclockwise twists should be divisible by 3.