molarmanful
Member
Hey guys,
I feel like 15 puzzle deserves a thread, even though it's not an official WCA event or twisty puzzle. I'm sure that a lot of people could benefit from the help and discussions in this thread. If this is in the wrong forum category, feel free to move it (if you're a moderator).
That being said, I'll outline some basic steps and tips for solving the 15 puzzle with LBL (if there are other methods, please describe them in a reply):
1. First row (FR):
Generally, you solve as 1-2>3-4, but if you want to get faster, try solving 3-4>1-2, 2-3>1-4, etc. depending on the situation. You can also solve 1,5,9,13 as a 'row.'
If possible, try to solve some of the second row pieces while finishing FR. For example:
2. Second row (F2R):
Solve the second row like you solved FR. However, you might want to try fringing, or solving a column while doing the second row. After fringing, you'll end up with this:
3. L8P (or L6P if you fringed):
Solve 9 and 13 first if you haven't already. Then proceed in one of two ways:
a. Solve 10-14>11-12-15. Conventional way, relatively easy L3P, okay chance of L3P skip.
b. Solve 11-12>10-14-15. Only use this if 11 and 12 are easy to place (i.e.: not flipped the wrong way). Super easy L3P, high chance of L3P skip.
You should also try out SlidySim, a nice 15 puzzle simulator that also contains slidy puzzles of other sizes.
I feel like 15 puzzle deserves a thread, even though it's not an official WCA event or twisty puzzle. I'm sure that a lot of people could benefit from the help and discussions in this thread. If this is in the wrong forum category, feel free to move it (if you're a moderator).
That being said, I'll outline some basic steps and tips for solving the 15 puzzle with LBL (if there are other methods, please describe them in a reply):
1. First row (FR):
Code:
1 2 3 4
x x x x
x x x x
x x x x
If possible, try to solve some of the second row pieces while finishing FR. For example:
Code:
2 x 3 4
x x x x
1 x x x
5 x x x
----------
easily becomes
----------
1 2 3 4
5 x x x
x x x x
x x x x
2. Second row (F2R):
Code:
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
x x x x
x x x x
Code:
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
9 x x x
13 x x x
3. L8P (or L6P if you fringed):
Code:
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12
13 14 15 0
a. Solve 10-14>11-12-15. Conventional way, relatively easy L3P, okay chance of L3P skip.
b. Solve 11-12>10-14-15. Only use this if 11 and 12 are easy to place (i.e.: not flipped the wrong way). Super easy L3P, high chance of L3P skip.
You should also try out SlidySim, a nice 15 puzzle simulator that also contains slidy puzzles of other sizes.
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