Dan the Beginner
Premium Member
I had a similar discussion last year on the WCA forums,
World Cube Association
The World Cube Association governs competitions for mechanical puzzles that are operated by twisting groups of pieces, commonly known as 'twisty puzzles'. The most famous of these puzzles is the Rubik's Cube, invented by professor Rubik from Hungary. A selection of these puzzles are chosen as...forum.worldcubeassociation.org
Suppose this 30-second inspection rule is implemented, I do not think the WCA database will be needing a revamp. Post 2020 comps, can have this rule and normal formats like mean of 3 and average of 5 can continue. So, it will not be a logistic hurdle for the Software team.
The only disadvantage I find with this proposal is the extra time the organisers will have to take into account, participants stalling inspection time to gain extra information and clues or tougher for delegates to make decisions about some mistakes that happen during this inspection time (over-inspecting, turning the puzzle, gaining information)
Events that will gain massively from this change are bigcubes, where competitors will be able to inspect more into the first centre and make bigger pattern library, being able to inspect all 6 colours or different methods in 3x3 speedsolve.
Till now competitors have fine-tuned their solving style to 15 seconds, but if the new inspection limit is introduced, it will allow for more risky and creative solves, and for the spectators it will not be a monotonous step by step process that they have to see and appreciate the solve by its splits, but rather discuss about the solve, and how the competitor utilized the scramble to their benefit.
I think anything is possible through planning, e.g. setting a timeframe like 3 years or 5 years, for a change to get the logistics and processes worked out, and, to reduce inconvenience to competitors who have fine-tuned their strategy based on a 15-second inspection. I agree an adjustment in inspection rule can provide more flexibility to cubers who can then become more creative or make better use of the time (or how much time to inspect or to start turning) based on their own strengths (planning and balancing their moves/finger speed/memory ability) and provide more interesting competition.
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