In effort to help new users find the best content in the forums over the years, I want to begin compiling a list of the community's best/most useful/must read threads and posts.
I've started a bit by compiling a short list of the best guides/how-tos from that section which I've put below, but want to make a more extensive list of the top threads overall. If you can help contribute, please reply to this thread with links to other threads you think should be included in the Best Threads/Must Reads for new members.
Tutorials/Help Threads:
Blindfold Solving Tutorials:
Tools:
History:
Methods:
God's Number:
Group Theory:
Algorithm (Lengths?):
Big Cube Theory, Formulas and/or Calculations:
FMC:
Optimization Topics (Besides God's Number and FMC)
Miscellaneous Puzzle Theory (and/or Math-related) Topics
Miscellaneous
I've started a bit by compiling a short list of the best guides/how-tos from that section which I've put below, but want to make a more extensive list of the top threads overall. If you can help contribute, please reply to this thread with links to other threads you think should be included in the Best Threads/Must Reads for new members.
Tutorials/Help Threads:
- How To Practice:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/how-to-practice.27870
- How to Be Sub-20:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/how-to-be-sub-20.14009/
- Fridrich F2L: Going Slow and Looking Ahead (Tutorial)
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/how-i-solve-centers-on-4x4x4-bld.2207/
- Printable Rubik's Cube Guides (PDFs for 2x2x2 - 5x5x5):
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/printable-rubiks-cube-guides-pdfs-for-2x2x2-5x5x5.11343/
- Waffle's Roux Tutorial:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/waffles-roux-tutorial.11506/
- Full PLL for Megaminx:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/full-pll-for-megaminx.19119/
- Fewest Moves: Tips and Techniques:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/fewest-moves-tips-and-techniques.1566/
- How to Get Faster Using the Petrus Method:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/how-to-get-faster-using-the-petrus-method.66235/
- Beginner's guide to choosing a method
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/beginners-guide-to-choosing-a-speedsolving-method.43471/
- Which Cube Should I Get? Up To Date Recommendations:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/which-cube-should-i-get-up-to-date-recommendations.70960/
Blindfold Solving Tutorials:
- Blindfold Solving FAQ:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/bld-faq-do-yourself-a-favor-and-read-this.45162/
- 3-Style BLD Tutorial by Timothy Goh
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/3-style-tutorial.69495/
- Noah's BLD Tutorials (4x4, 3x3, Memory, Tips, etc):
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/noahs-bld-tutorials.38776/
- Noah's 3-Style Tutorial
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/noahs-3-style-tutorial.39409/
- BH Tutorial:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/bh-tutorial.12268/
- How to do a DNF post-mortem on a non-center piece orbit:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/...post-mortem-on-a-non-center-piece-orbit.27740
- How to Solve the Rubik's Cube Blindfolded:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/how-to-solve-a-rubiks-cube-blindfolded.10595/
- 2x2 BLD Tutorial:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/2x2x2-bld-tutorial.8653/
- How-To for big cube blindfolded solving:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/how-to-for-big-cube-blindfolded-solving.201/#post-1553
- How I Solve Centers on 4x4x4 BLD:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/how-i-solve-centers-on-4x4x4-bld.2207/
Tools:
- The reconstruction thread
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/the-reconstruction-thread.29123/
- A rubik's cube methods and states map
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/a-rubiks-cube-methods-and-states-map.46753/
- Request for 4x4x4 LL scrambler. (Animiated GIF example.)
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/request-for-4x4x4-ll-scrambler.30261/
- 4x4x4 Last Layer Wing Edge Solver for the Ti-83p/84p Calculators! (K4 Method)
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/...r-the-ti-83p-84p-calculators-k4-method.26928/
History:
- Rubik's Paper Cube
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/rubiks-paper-cube.3099/
- Rubik Speedsolving Association - A message from Ernő Rubik
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/rubik-speedsolving-association-a-message-from-ernő-rubik.63311/
Methods:
- ZZ-CT Thread:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/zz-ct-thread.61348/ - Developing a better LL system
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/developing-a-better-ll-system.36791/
- "Cross" Meta-Method for 4x4x4
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/cross-meta-method-for-4x4x4.17783/
God's Number:
- God's number proven at 20
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/gods-number-proven-at-20.23101/
- God's Number in QTM is 26
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/gods-number-in-qtm-is-26.48754/
- What is God's number in the slice turn metric?
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/what-is-gods-number-in-the-slice-turn-metric.51052/
- God's numbers for partial solves
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/gods-numbers-for-partial-solves.29785/
- What is God's Number for Solving Just Edges on the 3x3x3?
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/...er-for-solving-just-edges-on-the-3x3x3.39620/
- God's number is... (for the nxnxn)
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/gods-number-is.30231/
- What is God's number on a 4x4 Rubik's cube?
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/what-is-gods-number-on-a-4x4-rubiks-cube.35965/
- Two-Phase Algorithm in Mathematica
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/two-phase-algorithm-in-mathematica.25339/
- Distribution of 20-move strong scrambles (very interesting!)
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/distribution-of-20-move-strong-scrambles.44485/
Group Theory:
- I'm writing a group theory essay
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/im-writing-a-group-theory-essay.33997/
- Group Theory: It's not scary!
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/group-theory-its-not-scary.29832/
- Non-Commutative Gaussian Elimination and Rubik's Cube
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/...e-gaussian-elimination-and-rubiks-cube.26345/
- Intro to group theory
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/intro-to-group-theory.4908/
- The entire cube is 2-gen!
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/the-entire-cube-is-2-gen.19751/
- Any books about puzzle theory?
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/any-books-about-puzzle-theory.25458/
- My ultimate commutator challenge (Math Problem - 12 is related, for those interested.)
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/my-ultimate-commutator-challenge.29706/
Algorithm (Lengths?):
- A Hamiltonian circuit for Rubik's Cube!
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/a-hamiltonian-circuit-for-rubiks-cube.35505/
- Hamiltonian circuit for the entire 2x2x2 cube group
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/...ircuit-for-the-entire-2x2x2-cube-group.34318/
- Devil Algorithm for 2x2x2 (R U moves)
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/devil-algorithm-for-2x2x2-r-u-moves.34303/
- Possible orders of Rubik's Cube positions
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/possible-orders-of-rubiks-cube-positions.23185/
Big Cube Theory, Formulas and/or Calculations:
- Number of cases for 3 Cycles of Wing Edges in Last Layer (K4 Method)
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/...-of-wing-edges-in-last-layer-k4-method.19001/
- Calculating the Number of K4 "OLLs" on an nxnxn Cube
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/calculating-the-number-of-k4-olls-on-an-nxnxn-cube.30015/
- Theory about big cube parity
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/theory-about-big-cube-parity.49062/#post-1010936
- The interrelation of piece parities on the n x n x n supercube
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/...ce-parities-on-the-n-x-n-x-n-supercube.26422/
- Calculating Permutations on nxnxn Rubik's cube
http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/calculating-permutations-on-nxnxn-rubiks-cube.22683/
- Edge Flip and Corner twist Proof?
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/edge-flip-and-corner-twist-proof.24595/
- Formula for Calculating Positions of a NxNxN Cube?
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/formula-for-calculating-positions-of-a-nxnxn-cube.48155/
- Number of solved positions for a 7x7x7
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/number-of-solved-positions-for-a-7x7.20792/
- Number of cubies problem
http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/number-of-cubies-problem.22905/
- World record formula for nxnxn cubes
(Well, I am stating this one because my formula is still in the ball-park for the 4x4x4-6x6x6 Single WRs...I don't understand how, LOL.)
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/world-record-formula-for-nxnxn-cubes.36621/
FMC:
- Porky's FMC thread
www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/fmc-a-complete-tutorial.49162/
- 4x4 linear fewest moves challenge
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/4x4-linear-fewest-moves-challenge.31779/
- 4x4x4 FMC (computer and human)
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/4x4x4-fmc-computer-and-human.46709/
- 4x4x4 FMC (computer and human) round 2
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/4x4x4-fmc-computer-and-human-round-2.52840/
- $100 5x5x5 Fewest Moves Challenge
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/100-5x5x5-fewest-moves-challenge.56563/
- 5x5x5 fewest moves for concentric rings
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/5x5x5-fewest-moves-for-concentric-rings.56464/
Optimization Topics (Besides God's Number and FMC)
- What is the minimum number of algorithms needed for 2 look last layer?
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/...lgorithms-needed-for-2-look-last-layer.47581/
- Is 1LLL possible?
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/is-1lll-possible.55582/
- For 5x5x5 Solving Programs
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/for-5x5x5-solving-programs.60614/
- Efficiency of 5x5 edges methods
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/efficiency-of-5x5-edges-methods.55987/
Miscellaneous Puzzle Theory (and/or Math-related) Topics
- Probability Thread
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/probability-thread.20384/
- Mathematics Thread
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/mathematics-thread.35625/
- Inversion by conjugation
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/inversion-by-conjugation.43981/
- Solving the cube without any decision making
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/solving-the-cube-without-any-decision-making.18422/
- Pseudo 3x3 shorter than 3x3?
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/pseudo-3x3-shorter-than-3x3.43996/
- ACube4x4 question
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/acube4x4-question.3498/
- Cube Theory Quiz
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/cube-theory-quiz-1.44461/
- How do I find a square root of a Rubik's cube?
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/...uare-root-of-a-rubiks-cube.42199/#post-861663
- 3x3 Rubik's Cube Patterns and Particle Physics
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/3x3-rubiks-cube-patterns-and-particle-physics.51710/
- Algorithm thread
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/algorithm-thread.42604/
Miscellaneous
- Move count metrics for big cubes - standards and preferences
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/...or-big-cubes-standards-and-preferences.23546/
- What is "Intelligence"?
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/what-is-intelligence.3079/
- Announcing: New 4x4x4 Brute Force Solver
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/announcing-new-4x4x4-brute-force-solver.46925/
- Cubing Contribution Hyperlink Thread:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/...erlink-thread-to-reduce-signature-size.53842/
- Older cubers discussions:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/older-cubers-discussions.37405/
- How fast are the over 40's in competitions?
https://www.speedsolving.com/threads/how-fast-are-the-over-40s-in-competitions.54128/
Last edited: