Greetings!

[Nezhmetdinov]

Hi all.

A friend taught me a beginners method of the 3x3 during a chess tournament around mid/late June. I've had a cube in my hand most of the time since then.

After about 2 weeks of cubing (borrowed a cube) some friends decided the v-cube 7 was a good present for me... Had fun learning that.

For 3x3 I've now got a Guhong and a Lun Hui. Not sure which I prefer but currently getting better times with the Guhong.

Also got myself a 5x5 Shengshou and it was great right out of the box. The v-cube 7 is annoyingly resistant so the 5x5 is being used much more frequently. My first timed session on the 5x5 was average 10 mins. Last week I travelled/cubed on trains a lot and my current best is 07:25.29.

For 3x3 I've moved on to Badmephisto's pdfs of 2-look OLL & PLL. Focusing on F2L now and plan full PLL after that. Tempted to try Roux method though since when I'm walking around I tend to do a lot of M and U turns for fun.


Just got my first 3x3 single sub 40 and first average sub 60. (guhong)

number of times: 13/13
best time: 36.18
worst time: 1:06.48

current avg5: 56.38 (σ = 3.41)
best avg5: 51.18 (σ = 5.98)

current avg12: 55.80 (σ = 6.65)
best avg12: 54.86 (σ = 5.70)

session avg: 55.89 (σ = 6.35)
session mean: 55.19

I'm cubing on buses and trains a lot so maybe I'll have something to share soon in the 'Non-Cubers say the darndest things!' thread. My best so far was an awkward conversation on a bus:

Woman: "Are you trying to put those colours together?"
Me: "...yes."
Woman: "Did your friends give you that to quit smoking?"
Me: "..."
Me: "Yes."
Woman: "Would you prefer to do that?"
Me: "Yes."
Woman: "I used to have one. I peeled the stickers off."

Most comments have been very positive. At chess tournaments people have simply wanted to know where to get the bigger cubes. A guy on one bus trip was just excited to see cubing because he used to do it back in the day.

Any questions?

 

[5BLD]

Tempted to try Roux method though since when I'm walking around I tend to do a lot of M and U turns for fun.

Do it! And if you need any help you can ask me on my website (in my signature). Or email me.

I'm rather prone to annoying comments on the bus and train. Like:
Nerd.
You know, you'll never solve it if you just stare at it (when I was doing blindfolded)
Just peel the stickers off. Will save you the trouble.
OMG! It's that a 4 sided cube (2x2x2)
Ah! It's the Rubik's square *insert hysterical laughter here*! (yes, she thinks she's funny)
And worst of all, when they grab my cube and imitate me and pop the cube. Thank god no one's exploded it yet. But I have lost 2 2x2s this way.


By the way, welcome!

 

[Tao Yu]

Welcome to the forums! Hope you enjoy your time here!

 

[Nezhmetdinov]

Do it! And if you need any help you can ask me on my website (in my signature). Or email me.

I'm rather prone to annoying comments on the bus and train. Like:
Nerd.
You know, you'll never solve it if you just stare at it (when I was doing blindfolded)
Just peel the stickers off. Will save you the trouble.
OMG! It's that a 4 sided cube (2x2x2)
Ah! It's the Rubik's square *insert hysterical laughter here*! (yes, she thinks she's funny)
And worst of all, when they grab my cube and imitate me and pop the cube. Thank god no one's exploded it yet. But I have lost 2 2x2s this way.


By the way, welcome!

Then I will definitely start learning it. Thank you for the offer and support, and the welcome! Also, sorry to hear about the unfortunate public cubing experiences. I consider myself lucky based on what I've read here so far.

Welcome to the forums! Hope you enjoy your time here!

I'm sure I will! Thanks.

Hi.

Thanks!​

 

[cubeslayer]

What Openings do you use ? Also, what's your rating?

 

[Nezhmetdinov]

I've always jumped from opening to opening in chess but my choices tend to involve flexibility of plans and/or pawn structure. I like tension and heavy calculation.
The English opening has been a good weapon for me as white. The Paulsen variation of the Sicilian, as well as the Modern (things starting with 1...g6) with black.

My FIDE rating is 2150+. Do you play too? What is your rating?

I also play Baduk (Go; Weiqi) and my provisional national rank is 2 kyu.
I can play Xianqi (Chinese chess) and Shogi (Japanese chess) though neither of these well. Have not played many games of either.

 

[Phlippieskezer]

Welcome to the forums, and to cubing!

I myself used to be a competitive chess player back in South Africa (travelled the country for tournaments, but never played internationally), but upon moving to this frozen wasteland called "Canada" (), I've yet to find any other enthusiasts to the game, so I picked up cubing and haven't really played a game of chess in around 2 years (I'm still a teen, so that feels bloody long, especially for something you used to be passionate about). Playing it online also just never satisfied me. Quite saddening.
My game is probably very off nowadays, but back in the day, I used the Queen's Gambit whenever I found myself playing white and usually the French Defence when black. I generally favoured a game of discovery attacks (my favourite) and trickery (yet I was never really good at Blitz...). I don't remember my rating, though. Bah. Have a bunch of chess related medals beside my computer right now, though all they really do is make me feel nostalgic. :-/
I solve with Roux at the moment and started with badmephisto's tutorials (sort of) and his 4LLL. If Roux attracts you, I say go for it! Block building will most likely take a while to get used to, though, so be warned.

Anyway, by the above more-than-necessary detailed stuff, it seems we're somewhat alike, at least in terms of hobbies.

So, again, welcome to the forums and speedsolving, and continue crushing the little buggars that stand in your army's way! :3

 

[cubeslayer]

Yes, I also play. I have only participated in local tournaments, which in my case sadly were all unrated and unofficial events. I currently enjoy transposing into a Queen's Gambit as White ( I am fond of playing Nf3 before c4). As Black I love playing the French against 1. e4.--Philippieskezer and I think alike!--and the old Benoni against 1. d4. In my beginning chess days I enjoyed playing a Reverse King's Indian Defense and BlackDiemar Gambit as White and a Pirc for Black.

In regards to cubing, I use a pretty standard CFOP. I averaged 21s today, which for me is solid. I have been learning CFOP for a year. Regardless of whichever method you choose to learn, it will take time to get "fast" ( this is assuming you have other duties such as work, university studies, a girlfriend, etc).

Welcome to the community my fellow Woodpusher!

 

[Nezhmetdinov]

Welcome to the forums, and to cubing!

I myself used to be a competitive chess player back in South Africa (travelled the country for tournaments, but never played internationally), but upon moving to this frozen wasteland called "Canada" (), I've yet to find any other enthusiasts to the game, so I picked up cubing and haven't really played a game of chess in around 2 years (I'm still a teen, so that feels bloody long, especially for something you used to be passionate about). Playing it online also just never satisfied me. Quite saddening.
My game is probably very off nowadays, but back in the day, I used the Queen's Gambit whenever I found myself playing white and usually the French Defence when black. I generally favoured a game of discovery attacks (my favourite) and trickery (yet I was never really good at Blitz...). I don't remember my rating, though. Bah. Have a bunch of chess related medals beside my computer right now, though all they really do is make me feel nostalgic. :-/
I solve with Roux at the moment and started with badmephisto's tutorials (sort of) and his 4LLL. If Roux attracts you, I say go for it! Block building will most likely take a while to get used to, though, so be warned.

Anyway, by the above more-than-necessary detailed stuff, it seems we're somewhat alike, at least in terms of hobbies.

So, again, welcome to the forums and speedsolving, and continue crushing the little buggars that stand in your army's way! :3

This is a very convenient place to share the information, though, for me to get to know you! It does sound like we've got some similar interests. If you decide to get back into chess I can probably teach you some things.

Thanks for the welcome.

Yes, I also play. I have only participated in local tournaments, which in my case sadly were all unrated and unofficial events. I currently enjoy transposing into a Queen's Gambit as White ( I am fond of playing Nf3 before c4). As Black I love playing the French against 1. e4.--Philippieskezer and I think alike!--and the old Benoni against 1. d4. In my beginning chess days I enjoyed playing a Reverse King's Indian Defense and BlackDiemar Gambit as White and a Pirc for Black.

In the last couple of years I noticed a number of my games were transposing into various 1.d4 systems via other move orders (1.Nf3 and 1.c4 mostly). In many of those "d4" games I'd advanced to d4 on the 4th or 5th move!

I've played everything you listed but the BDG least of all. Tried it a few times for fun as a junior.

In regards to cubing, I use a pretty standard CFOP. I averaged 21s today, which for me is solid. I have been learning CFOP for a year. Regardless of whichever method you choose to learn, it will take time to get "fast" ( this is assuming you have other duties such as work, university studies, a girlfriend, etc).

Welcome to the community my fellow Woodpusher!

For the last few years I have had none of those duties, so that I could work on my chess full time. Cubing will be an ongoing thing along with my chess study, so I'm looking forward to those faster times. :tu

 

[cubeslayer]

I would love to play chess with you. Though, you may not enjoy it since I will likely not pose a challenge, I will have fun doing my best==assuming we do get to play, of course . If you have any questions about cubing and you want some advice, feel free to ask me. You should find cubing easier than chess.

4.d4, that would totally throw me for a loop! Better play my queen's pawn sooner in order to avoid that. Once again, welcome.

And philip, I'd like to play with you as well.

 

[Nezhmetdinov]

Re: cubeslayer

As a cuber you might be used to drilling something many times for improvement.

http://chesstempo.com/ It's not quite playing, but there is a lot you can get from regularly performing chess solves ... just like cubing!

http://www.chess.com/ This site is becoming quite popular. I don't use it much myself but it's meant to be quite user-friendly and with good features. Some require levels of membership beyond free.

http://www.chessclub.com/ (Can get a freeweek trial!) Paid-membership based chess server. Quite popular and my choice. These days I mostly use it to analyse with friends over skype and to watch the live commentary of elite tournaments. Has cool videos aimed at many levels, and is a good server for play.


I'm sure we could work something out if you do want to play. :tu

 

[cubeslayer]

I currently use chess.com( free, regular account). My username is swiftbaby.
Thank you for the tactics website. This site reminds me of a time when a friend and I dabbled with the infamous De La Maza's seven circles a few years ago.

I advise you choose a method that you enjoy. I only became aware of Roux after I had invested much of my time into CFOP. I do Roux for fun, but my times are terrible with it. I averaged 48.15s with Roux today. With Cfop my avg was 23.29s. Use the method you think is fun, not necessarily the standard ( To me Roux is the occasional fling I will have. It's exotic, and it can be fun. But CFOP is the reliable wife I always crawl back to).

It's like in chess, each opening has it's own nuances and strategies. If one can play in familiar structures and ideas, it is more likely for one shall achieve a decent to good middle game position.

I've gotten carried away. I do not meet many people who enjoy both chess and cubing.

 

[Nezhmetdinov]

haha

I would expect it to be more common than it sounds. (chess+cubing)