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asacuber

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U2 F R2 U2 L2 B D2 L2
replace the F/B moves with wide moves (this brings the moves in the first half and the second half to the same axes):
U2 b U2 L2 D2 f D2 L2
replace the L2 moves with wide moves (this brings the moves in the first half and the second half to the same faces):
U2 b U2 r2 U2 b U2 r2 = (U2 b U2 r2)2

Essentially the same type of 3-cycle as (R2 U' R2 f2)2 and (R2 u' R2 f2)2.


Protip: Check your solution! Don't look at the cube when applying your solution; look only after you're done to check that your written solution really works.

Spending just a bit of time to check your solution drastically reduces DNF rates; it'd be kind of silly to spend an hour in an FMC attempt just to DNF it.

Thank you so much! I didn't even know the one marked in bold existed!
 

porkynator

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Lastly two questions: How many 8 move 2e2e are there and how often do you manage to find optimal domino finishes?

1. Good question! I am not sure. Right now I can think of:
a. (R2 F2 Rw2 U)*2
b. R2 F2 R2 U2 F2 R2 F2 U2
c. R2 F B U2 F' B' R2 F2 (same case as b.)
+ all shifts. There may be more.
EDIT: for example there is also M E2 M E2

2. No idea, but I think not that often. It seems fairly easy to get close to optimal though. I have only just started doing DR consistently and I have never checked for the optimal solution.

Good to see you back by the way!
 

irontwig

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1. Good question! I am not sure. Right now I can think of:
a. (R2 F2 Rw2 U)*2
b. R2 F2 R2 U2 F2 R2 F2 U2
c. R2 F B U2 F' B' R2 F2 (same case as b.)
+ all shifts. There may be more.
EDIT: for example there is also M E2 M E2

2. No idea, but I think not that often. It seems fairly easy to get close to optimal though. I have only just started doing DR consistently and I have never checked for the optimal solution.

Good to see you back by the way!

Cool, I'd expect there would be more, but many not. I like the holistic approach of DR; much like EO you try to massage the whole cube into a more pleasant state. However, as I'm not good at it yet (neither finding reductions or finishes), I kinda find it taking away time from other approaches.
 

guysensei1

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1. Good question! I am not sure. Right now I can think of:
a. (R2 F2 Rw2 U)*2
b. R2 F2 R2 U2 F2 R2 F2 U2
c. R2 F B U2 F' B' R2 F2 (same case as b.)
+ all shifts. There may be more.
EDIT: for example there is also M E2 M E2

2. No idea, but I think not that often. It seems fairly easy to get close to optimal though. I have only just started doing DR consistently and I have never checked for the optimal solution.

Good to see you back by the way!

[R2] (F2) R2 {U2} F2 [R2] (F2) {U2}

If you make a pair of moves in the same type of bracket wide, you get another alg for the same case

You can do this with more than one set of the bracketed moves too
 

trangium

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I got a 28 on the hardest scramble

Scramble: F U' F2 D' B U R' F' L D' R' U' L U B' D2 R' F U2 D2

B' U2 // pair
(U' F U2) // square
(L') // pair
(B' R) // 2x2x2

Now, go on normal, and notice that at the beginning, we can insert R, R', or R2 without disturbing the 2x2x2.
Inserting R' there sets up the yellow-blue edge, so a 2x2x3 can be made in just two more moves.

R' B' U2 // pair + inserted R'
(U' F U2) // square
(L') // pair
(B' R) // 2x2x2
F2 D // 2x2x3

Now, go on normal, and notice that at the beginning we can insert D, D', or D2 without disturbing the 2x2x3.
Of those options, inserting D' gave the best continuation.

D' R' B' U2 // pair + inserted R' and inserted D'
(U' F U2) // square
(L') // pair
(B' R) // 2x2x2
F2 D // 2x2x3
D F D2 L2 D // bad 6c in 16

Skeleton: D' R' B' U2 F2 D2 F D2 L2 D R' B L U2 F' U ^
^ [U' F U, B2] (8-5/19)

D' R' B' U2 F2 D2 F D2 L2 D * R' B L U' B2 U' F' U B2
* [D', L' U L] (8-3/24)

D' R' B' U2 F2 D2 F D2 L U' L D L' + U L R' B L U' B2 U' F' U B2
+ [R' D' R, U] (8-4/28)

Solution: D' R' B' U2 F2 D2 F D2 L U' L D L' R' D' R U R' D L B L U' B2 U' F' U B2 (28 HTM)

Edit: improved to 27

R' B' U2 // pair + inserted R'
(U' F U2) // square
(L') // pair
(^ B' R) // 2x2x2
F2 D // 2x2x3

Now, go on inverse, and notice that at the ^, we can insert D, D', or D2 without disturbing the 2x2x3.
Of those options, inserting D' gave the best continuation.

R' B' U2 // pair + inserted R'
(U' F U2) // square
(L') // pair
(D' B' R) // 2x2x2 + inserted D'
F2 D // 2x2x3
(F' U' F' U) // EO + preserve pair
(F' L2 F2) // 3c1t in 19

Skeleton: R' B' U2 F2 D F2 L2 F U' F U * F R' B D L U2 F' U
* [U' F' U, B'] (8-6/21)

R' B' U2 F2 @ D F2 L2 F B' U' F U F B R' B D L U2 F' U
@ [F2, L B L'] (8-2/27)

Final solution: R' B' U2 L B L' F2 L B' L' D F2 L2 F B' U' F U F B R' B D L U2 F' U (27 HTM)
 
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WoowyBaby

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I got a 28 on the hardest scramble

Scramble: F U' F2 D' B U R' F' L D' R' U' L U B' D2 R' F U2 D2

B' U2 // pair
(U' F U2) // square
(L') // pair
(B' R) // 2x2x2

Now, go on normal, and notice that at the beginning, we can insert R, R', or R2 without disturbing the 2x2x2.
Inserting R' there sets up the yellow-blue edge, so a 2x2x3 can be made in just two more moves.

R' B' U2 // pair + inserted R'
(U' F U2) // square
(L') // pair
(B' R) // 2x2x2
F2 D // 2x2x3

Now, go on normal, and notice that at the beginning we can insert D, D', or D2 without disturbing the 2x2x3.
Of those options, inserting D' gave the best continuation.

D' R' B' U2 // pair + inserted R' and inserted D'
(U' F U2) // square
(L') // pair
(B' R) // 2x2x2
F2 D // 2x2x3
D F D2 L2 D // bad 6c in 16

Skeleton: D' R' B' U2 F2 D2 F D2 L2 D R' B L U2 F' U ^
^ [U' F U, B2] (8-5/19)

D' R' B' U2 F2 D2 F D2 L2 D * R' B L U' B2 U' F' U B2
* [D', L' U L] (8-3/24)

D' R' B' U2 F2 D2 F D2 L U' L D L' + U L R' B L U' B2 U' F' U B2
+ [R' D' R, U] (8-4/28)

Solution: D' R' B' U2 F2 D2 F D2 L U' L D L' R' D' R U R' D L B L U' B2 U' F' U B2 (28 HTM)

Edit: improved to 27

R' B' U2 // pair + inserted R'
(U' F U2) // square
(L') // pair
(^ B' R) // 2x2x2
F2 D // 2x2x3

Now, go on inverse, and notice that at the ^, we can insert D, D', or D2 without disturbing the 2x2x3.
Of those options, inserting D' gave the best continuation.

R' B' U2 // pair + inserted R'
(U' F U2) // square
(L') // pair
(D' B' R) // 2x2x2 + inserted D'
F2 D // 2x2x3
(F' U' F' U) // EO + preserve pair
(F' L2 F2) // 3c1t in 19

Skeleton: R' B' U2 F2 D F2 L2 F U' F U * F R' B D L U2 F' U
* [U' F' U, B'] (8-6/21)

R' B' U2 F2 @ D F2 L2 F B' U' F U F B R' B D L U2 F' U
@ [F2, L B L'] (8-2/27)

Final solution: R' B' U2 L B L' F2 L B' L' D F2 L2 F B' U' F U F B R' B D L U2 F' U (27 HTM)

WOW. I am impressed! You got 27 on the hardest scramble from cube20.org. I'm sure this must be the best anyone has gotten! My best is 30 which is nothing compared to this. You should be proud of yourself, good job!
 

WoowyBaby

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Hello Everyone! Today I have a number of fun little FMC related challenges!

1. Find the shortest solution you can: R' L2 F2 B2 F2 L' F2 R2 L2 B2 L R F' L F R' B' R F' L' F R' F2 R'
Optimal solution is extremely short! Can you find it?

2. Use slicey shenanigans to shorten this sequence!
D' F2 U2 D F2 U2 B2 D B2 D' L2 F2 D2

3. Find the shortest 3-corner skeleton possible!
U F2 U F2 R' F2 D R2 D R' L' U2 R2 B2 R' L' D2 F2 U2

4. Find a direct (no insertions) 8-move finish to this HTO state!
U D' L2 U' D R' L' D2 R U2 D2 R2 U2 D2 L' U2 D2

5. Orient all of the edges in just two moves!
D L2 B2 D R F2 R F' U2 B F' D' U2 R D U B' D2

Post your attempts / solutions here! I hope you have fun with these!
 
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Hello Everyone! Today I have a number of fun little FMC related challenges!

1. Find the shortest solution you can: R' L2 F2 B2 F2 L' F2 R2 L2 B2 L R F' L F R' B' R F' L' F R' F2 R'
Optimal solution is extremely short! Can you find it?

2. Use slicey shenanigans to shorten this sequence!
D' F2 U2 D F2 U2 B2 D B2 D' L2 F2 D2

3. Find the shortest 3-corner skeleton possible!
U F2 U F2 R' F2 D R2 D R' L' U2 R2 B2 R' L' D2 F2 U2

4. Find a direct (no insertions) 8-move finish to this HTO state!
U D' L2 U' D R' L' D2 R U2 D2 R2 U2 D2 L' U2 D2

5. Orient all of the edges in just two moves!
D L2 B2 D R F2 R F' U2 B F' D' U2 R D U B' D2

Post your attempts / solutions here! I hope you have fun with these!

1. R F L B L' F' R'
2. D' F2 U2 D * F2 U2 B2 D B2 D' L2 F2 D2 **
*=E2
**=E2

Shortened version: D' F2 D' B2 U2 F2 D F2 D' L2 B2 U2

3. F2 D R D' R2 D' L2 D
4. R2 U2 L2 F2 D2 L2 D2 L2
5. L (R)
 

porkynator

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My solves at FMC Germany (26.00, 24.67 = 25.33 mo6)


Scramble: R' U' F D2 R2 D F2 U2 F2 R2 U' B2 U L U' B L2 R2 D L2 F D' R D R' U' F

U D' F R' B // EO (5/5)
R // Simplify (1/6)
D2 B2 R2 D // Setup (4/10)
R' U2 R // DR (3/13)
B2 L2 D' F2 [c] D // 3c2e2e (5/18)

[c] = F2 U L2 U' L2 [e] F2 D' L2 D L2 // Funny 3c alg (10-2/26)
[e] = L2 U2 F2 U2 L2 F2 U2 F2 // 2e2e (8-5/29)

First solution: U D' F R' B R D2 B2 R2 D R' U2 R B2 L2 <D' U L2 U F2 U2 L2 F2 {U2 D' L2 D L2 D}>

{} = U F2 D F2 U // First simplification, can also be seen with slices (-1/28)
<> = F2 D B2 D2 L2 F2 D R2 U F2 U // Second simplification, harder to see (-2/26)

Final solution: U D' F R' B R D2 B2 R2 D R' U2 R B2 L2 F2 D B2 D2 L2 F2 D R2 U F2 U (26)
Scramble: R' U' F U' B2 D L2 R2 D2 B2 F2 R' U2 B' L' B2 L' F' R B2 L2 D2 F R' U' F

R B U2 L //EO (4/4)
(D2 U2 F R2 B' U') //DR (6/10)
[2] R2 D2 F' [1] D2 F L2 B //Corners (7/17)

[1] = M2 (2/19)
[2] = F2 R2 F2 R2 [3] F2 R2 (6-2/23)
[3] = U' D R2 U D' F2 (6-3/26)

Solution: R B U2 L F2 R2 F2 R2 U' D R2 U D F' R2 L2 U2 B L2 F U B R2 F' U2 D2 (26)
Scramble: R' U' F D B2 F2 D' R2 D L2 D2 U' B2 F U R' D2 L' R2 D L' R F2 R' U' F

(B' R' D' L) // EO (4/4)
(F' U B') // Square + pair (3/7)
(F' R2) // Layer -1c (2/9)
(L2 U) B // F2L-1 (3/12)
(D B D2 B') // F2L (4/16)
(R' D2 R2 D R2 D R2 D2 R' D2) // LL (10/26)

Solution: B D2 R D2 R2 D' R2 D' R2 D2 R B D2 B' D' U' L2 R2 F B U' F L' D R B (26)

Scramble: R' U' F U2 B2 L D2 B2 L' D2 F2 R' F2 L U' R B F2 L' R2 U' R U B R' U' F

R' F' B L' // EO (4/4)
D2 F // Simplify (2/6)
D' B2 D' B' // DR (4/10)
D L2 B2 U' L2 U D F2 * D' U // 3e (10/20)

* = F2 U' F2 R2 B2 D' B2 R2 (8-4/24)

Solution: R' F' B L' D2 F D' B2 D' B' D L2 B2 U' L2 D F2 R2 B2 D' B2 R2 D' U (24)
Scramble: R' U' F U2 L2 B' D2 F' U2 L2 R2 U2 F' D' R D2 R D2 U L B F D F2 R' U' F

B2 U // 2 squares (2/2)
D B' * L' B2 R2 // 223 (5/7)
F R U2 R' // F2L-1 (4/11)
F R' F' R F' U F' U' // 3c (8/19)

* = B' D F D' B D F' D' (8-1)

Solution: B2 U D B2 D F D' B D F' D' L' B2 R2 F R U2 R' F R' F' R F' U F' U' (26)
Scramble: R' U' F D2 B R2 F2 D2 R2 B D R2 D L D2 R2 U2 L' U R U' R' U' F

U' F' L2 D // EO (4/4)
L2 F2 L2 // Setup (3/7)
B R B // DR (3/10)
R' F2 R' * D2 R' L2 U2 // 3e (7/17)

* = R' F2 R D2 U2 L' B2 L D2 U2 (10-3/24)

Solution: U' F' L2 D L2 F2 L2 B R B R' F2 R2 F2 R D2 U2 L' B2 L U2 R' L2 U2 (24)
 

Cale S

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Solutions from Wiscube 2019

R’ U’ F U’ L2 U B2 D B2 L2 B’ U’ R2 D’ R B’ R2 F2 U L’ U R’ U’ F

F L' F' U R // EO
B' D B' R2 D2 F U // DR
L2 F2 ^ L2 B % L2 F2 # @ R2 U2 F2 // 3c + S slice

@ = [U L U', R2]
^ = S'
% = S'
# = S2
R’ U’ F L2 D F2 U R2 D F2 D’ B2 F2 L2 F’ R D F L2 D2 R’ U2 F R’ U’ F

@ L F U L U R2 B // 7 to 3c5e

@ = [F R2 F', L]

F R2 @ F' L F R2 U L U R2 B
@ = R2 D U' B2 # U ^ D'
^ = S'
# = R' U S U' R

lol 7 move skeleton, this scramble was insane
was hoping for better insertions for the 15 to 3e :/
R’ U’ F D R2 D L2 U F2 U’ F2 U2 B2 L2 R D’ B L B U’ F’ R B2 R’ U’ F

(L F' R U2 B) // EO
(R' L) B2 L2 U' F2 U L // DR
@ D' U' L2 D' U2 L2 U2 // 20 to 6e

@ = B2 R2 B2 D R2 B2 R2 D

U' B L F D' F2 L F R L F B2 U R2 D2 B2 R B2 L'

(U') ^ F2 D L' D' // EO
B' // sq
F2 R2 B2 // 222
D2 R F D2 R @ F' R2 // 16 to 5c

@ = [R' B R, F']
^ = [L' B' L, F2]
R F' R' D' L2 D2 R U' R U' D2 B2 R' L2 U' B' R

(U' F' R' U2 B ) // EO
(L' R') R2 D' L' // DR
(U' L2 U) // HTR
R2 B2 // 15 to 6e
L' F2 U2 D2 B2 R D2 U2 // finish

first time using HTR officially :D
U L2 D' L' F L2 B2 L2 B2 R' D' R F' B' U' L F R'

R U B L F' // EO
L' @ D' R // layer missing corner
^ U2 D2 % L U' L' U2 // 14 to 3e + 2twist

@ = [L F L', B']
^ = L2 U D' B2 U' D
% = [U F U', B2]

Doing a different 6-2 edge insertion gives an 8-5 on 3c for 21 which can also be found by directly inserting an 8 move 3e3c. Would have made 22.67 mean :( at least it wouldn't have been any kind of record and I've learned the 8 move case for the future
 
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kawam1123

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This is the first time for me to post a comment on this thread. I would llike to ask a question.

Now I'm working on the translation project for FMC tutorial by Sebastiano Tronto (@porkynator) into Japanese. I started the project last month just because I couldn't find any published Japanese translation of this splendid tutorial and would like to translate it for speedcubing community in Japan. The current progress is about 40%, though, I published the draft of the translation on my website.

I was wondering if FMCers here could tell me the source of great info about "good stars in FMC move counts" on the original tutorial (page 19). There is a table on the tutorial (like below) about a good start on the number of moves in FMC, which seems to have been posted on speedsolving.com thread (here?) by Erik Jernqvist. This table is awesome.

Type of BlocksNumber of Moves

2x2x1 square + corner/edge pair

3

2x2x2 block

4

Two 2x2x1 squares

5

2x2x3 block

9

F2L-1

14

F2L

17

However, I could not find any extra information about the table. I looked at the footnote related to the table, but there was no external link about the original post. I tried to search it in this thread, but could not locate it. I would like to know the original one and add a link on the Japanese edition so that future readers can access and validate the info.

The footnote was below:
Taken from this post on speedsolving.com. Obviously, what a “good start” depends on your level. The given move counts are to be considered a good goal for someone who wants to become an expert. If you are not this good yet you can go on with less efficient blocks. Don’t waste too much time looking for a good start: it’s the final result that counts!

I hope some of the expert FMCers here could tell me where the original post is. Thanks in advance!

# I started learning FMC since last month and was impressed the tutorial. No official FMC record yet, but had a 35 moves at home, thanks to the tutorial!
 

Mike Hughey

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I hope some of the expert FMCers here could tell me where the original post is. Thanks in advance!
I can't believe I found it! That was one of the hardest searches for an old post I've ever done, even though it is actually in this thread (on page 42!).

That piece of gold comes from @irontwig, and his average movecounts for insertions in that post are also useful:

Unfortunately, I'm generally bad enough at FMC that it's a lucky solve for me when I meet these numbers. But it is a good thing to shoot for, and these days most good people actually usually beat it.
 

kawam1123

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I can't believe I found it! That was one of the hardest searches for an old post I've ever done, even though it is actually in this thread (on page 42!).

I really appreciate your kind searching efforts!! I can't believe you found the original this quickly, too. I'm relieved to hear it is actually in this thread. The table was originally posted on Jul 26, 2011, which means it was approx. 10 years ago. Amazing.

Again, it is an awesome table. I rarely meet this criteria, though. I wonder if these numbers of moves changed somehow in 10 years.

Thanks again!
 
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WoowyBaby

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I am shocked. Today, just now. I got another 19 move single. I am so surprised.
Today, I started my practice solves with a 30, and then a 28, which are not very good, and then I got this. A 19.
This is my 3rd ever sub-20, which tied my personal record for the second time, at 19 moves.

This is the reconstruction:

1/5/2020 2:23 - Scramble: R' U' F U D F' L' U2 R B2 R D' F' R2 U2 L' D2 L F2 L' U2 L2 D2 F2 R' U' F

L D' B' R // EO + DR-4c2e (4/4) (This was by far the most crucial part)
R2 U' R2 B' // Domino (4-1=3/7)
R2 D' U' L2 // Blocks (4/11)
U D F2 U' R2 * // All But 3c (5/16)

*= R2 U L2 U' R2 U L2 U' (8-4=4/20)

L D' B' R' U' R2 B' [R2 D' U' L2 U D] F2 L2 {U' R2 U} L2 U'
Replace, [] -> R2 D2 B2 D2 (4-5=-1/19)
{} -> D' F2 D (3-3=0/19)

Final Solution: L D' B' R' U' R2 B' R2 D2 B2 D2 F2 L2 D' F2 D L2 U' (19)

I did use all of my hour of time. In fact, I finished writing the U' at about two seconds before my timer sounded, so it would really be an understatement to say it was a close call. It was really, really close.

At the beginning of the hour, I found some nice blockbuilding, a 2x2x3 in only 7 moves, but I couldn't find anything else. I spent way too much time trying to make it work. Although, before I found the 2x2x3, I noticed I did have only two bad edges for EO, but I dismissed it as they were on opposite corners on both regular and inverse scrambles.

Once I tried everything I could with the blocks, I returned back to the two edges, and I realized there were eight possible ways I could orient these edges in four moves, meaning that some ways are luckier than others, so I tried them and saw which gave the best domino reduction. This is a bit of a random note, but I would say that getting eight possible four move EOs is actually better than a single two move EO, because of the forced better continuation from one of them being better than others. anyway, I checked for domino on U/D and R/L, but I did not find an incredibly easy DR on R/L the same way I did on U/D, which, I thought for a second was 8 moves long, but it took me a second to realize the R's cancel so it is a 7 move domino. I'm not sure why I didn't see that straight away, and that's why it's written that way in the explanation.

Now, after domino, I found some way to get to 2e2e in only 19 moves, and I used the inverse scramble, NISS, and when I wrote out my skeleton, my 2e2e was set up right as the end of it perfectly, (exactly like the 3c insertion in my final solution) so it was what we call a "lol insertion", which easily resulted in a 25 move solution. If I ended the solve there, I would be satisfied by the fact that it is 25 moves, but I actually would not be satisfied because I would have felt that I sort of wasted my seven move domino. So, I continued my search for a better solution. (Spoiler alert, it was better than 25.)

Now, after domino, I noticed that R2 built a couple of pairs in one move. D' created two squares, but it was with the E-layer edges, which hardly even counts, all you should count is U/D, but I did anyway, but only because I knew fully that I could correct it with slicey shenanigans if needed, so I knew I was not wasting any moves at all. I then did U' L2, which easily intuitively led to U D F2 U' R2, which solved everything except for three corners.

Once I reached this point, I began my insertion immediately. Because I just got to AB3c, I was at the very end of my skeleton, which I'd be there anyway because I always search for all of my insertions starting from the end at working towards the beginning, anwyays, I immediately saw that a corner commutator interchange starts with R2, which means I already cancelled two, and my inserting sequence is U L2 U', which cancels an additional two moves. This is the exact moment I knew I had a 20 move solution.

20 moves. Incredible, I thought to myself. I was even shocked at that. Twenty moves is insane. Seriously. It really is such an outstanding result, and no one can deny that. Although, I still had just a couple minutes left. I don't know the exact amount, but it was definitely under four minutes, and probably under three. I got to work.

I looked at my skeleton and and figured out if, and where, I could reduce it. My eyes went directly to the R2 D' U' L2 U D, because it has two pairs of consecutive pairs of moves on the same axis, (either R/L, or F/B, or in this case, U/D) so I did the inverse of it and saw what I could do instead.
I tried R2 D2 B2 D2, and saw that it didn't solve everything, it left three of the middle slice of edges. I now had to search for where I could solve the 3e for free, so I was on the lookout for a pair of U/D moves connected by a double face turn that were going in opposite directions.
For example, U F2 D or D' L2 D, but not U F2 D' or D' L2 D2. This is the system that I had devised just from personal experience. It's not some crazy breakthrough or anything, just a little handy tip that saves time and effort, which is exactly what I needed.

I spotted U' R2 U, and I used rNISS, or whatever its called (is it?), to go directly to that point to see exactly what's going on.
This is the exact moment I knew I had a 19 move solution.
I applied the moves D' F2 D, which solved the cube, and I wrote down my final solution just in time:
Final Solution: L D' B' R' U' R2 B' R2 D2 B2 D2 F2 L2 D' F2 D L2 U' (19)

That, my friends, is my tied fewest moves record, explained.
I took over an hour to write this. Lmao. I'm so slow.
I am obviously very happy about this result. I'm done for today. This is amazing. Nineteen. Just wow.
 
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The FitnessGram Pacer Test is a multi stage...
I am shocked. Today, just now. I got another 19 move single. I am so surprised.
Today, I started my practice solves with a 30, and then a 28, which aren't particularly good, and then I got this. A 19.
This is my 3rd ever sub-20, which tied my personal record for the second time, at 19 moves.

This is the reconstruction:

1/5/2020 2:23 - Scramble: R' U' F U D F' L' U2 R B2 R D' F' R2 U2 L' D2 L F2 L' U2 L2 D2 F2 R' U' F

L D' B' R // EO + DR-4c2e (4/4) This was by far the most crucial part
R2 U' R2 B' // Domino (4-1=3/7)
R2 D' U' L2 // Blocks (4/11)
U D F2 U' R2 * // All But 3c (5/16)

*= R2 U L2 U' R2 U L2 U' (8-4=4/20)

L D' B' R' U' R2 B' [R2 D' U' L2 U D] F2 L2 {U' R2 U} L2 U'
Replace, [] -> R2 D2 B2 D2 (4-5=-1/19)
{} -> D' F2 D (3-3=0/19)

Final Solution: L D' B' R' U' R2 B' R2 D2 B2 D2 F2 L2 D' F2 D L2 U' (19)

I did use all of my hour of time. In fact, I finished writing the U' at about two seconds before my timer sounded, so it would really be an understatement to say it was a close call. It was really, really close.

At the beginning of the hour, I found some nice blockbuilding, a 2x2x3 in only 7 moves, but I couldn't find anything else. I spent way too much time trying to make it work. Although, before I found the 2x2x3, I noticed I did have only two bad edges for EO, but I dismissed it as they were on opposite corners on both regular and inverse scrambles.

Once I tried everything I could with the blocks, I returned back to the two edges, and I realized there were eight possible ways I could orient these edges in four moves, meaning that some ways are luckier than others, so I tried them and saw which gave the best domino reduction. This is a bit of a random note, but I would say that getting eight possible four move EOs is actually better than a single two move EO, because of the forced better continuation from one of them being better than others. anyway, I checked for domino on U/D and R/L, but I did not find an incredibly easy DR on R/L the same way I did on U/D, which, I thought for a second was 8 moves long, but it took me a second to realize the R's cancel so it is a 7 move domino. I'm not sure why I didn't see that straight away, and that's why it's written that way in the explanation.

Now, after domino, I found some way to get to 2e2e in only 19 moves, and I used the inverse scramble, NISS, and when I wrote out my skeleton, my 2e2e was set up right as the end of it perfectly, (exactly like the 3c insertion in my final solution) so it was what we call a "lol insertion", which easily resulted in a 25 move solution. If I ended the solve there, I would be satisfied by the fact that it is 25 moves, but I actually would not be satisfied because I would have felt that I sort of wasted my seven move domino. So, I continued my search for a better solution. (Spoiler alert, it was better than 25.)

Now, after domino, I noticed that R2 built a couple of pairs in one move. D' created two squares, but it was with the E-layer edges, which hardly even counts, all you should count is U/D, but I did anyway, but only because I knew fully that I could correct it with slicey shenanigans if needed, so I knew I was not wasting any moves at all. I then did U' L2, which easily intuitively led to U D F2 U' R2, which solved everything except for three corners.

Once I reached this point, I began my insertion immediately. Because I just got to AB3c, I was at the very end of my skeleton, which I'd be there anyway because I always search for all of my insertions starting from the end at working towards the beginning, anwyays, I immediately saw that a corner commutator interchange starts with R2, which means I already cancelled two, and my inserting sequence is U L2 U', which cancels an additional two moves. This is the exact moment I knew I had a 20 move solution.

20 moves. Incredible, I thought to myself. I was even shocked at that. Twenty moves is insane. Seriously. It really is such an outstanding result, and no one can deny that. Although, I still had just a couple minutes left. I don't know the exact amount, but it was definitely under four minutes, and probably under three. I got to work.

I looked at my skeleton and and figured out if, and where, I could reduce it. My eyes went directly to the R2 D' U' L2 U D, because it has two pairs of consecutive pairs of moves on the same axis, (either R/L, or F/B, or in this case, U/D) so I did the inverse of it and saw what I could do instead.
I tried R2 D2 B2 D2, and saw that it didn't solve everything, it left three of the middle slice of edges. I now had to search for where I could solve the 3e for free, so I was on the lookout for a pair of U/D moves connected by a double face turn that were going in opposite directions.
For example, U F2 D or D' L2 D, but not U F2 D' or D' L2 D2. This is the system that I had devised just from personal experience. It's not some crazy breakthrough or anything, just a little handy tip that saves time and effort, which is exactly what I needed.

I spotted U' R2 U, and I used rNISS, or whatever its called (is it?), to go directly to that point to see exactly what's going on.
This is the exact moment I knew I had a 19 move solution.
I applied the moves D' F2 D, which solved the cube, and I wrote down my final solution just in time:
Final Solution: L D' B' R' U' R2 B' R2 D2 B2 D2 F2 L2 D' F2 D L2 U' (19)

That, my friends, is my tied fewest moves record, explained.
I took over an hour to write this. Lmao. I'm so slow.
I am obviously very happy about this result. I'm done for today. This is amazing. Nineteen. Just wow.
25.66 mean gj
 

porkynator

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[...]
Now I'm working on the translation project for FMC tutorial by Sebastiano Tronto (@porkynator) into Japanese. I started the project last month just because I couldn't find any published Japanese translation of this splendid tutorial and would like to translate it for speedcubing community in Japan. The current progress is about 40%, though, I published the draft of the translation on my website.
[...]

Wow, nice job with the translation! The web version looks nice.
Just so you know, I am working on a version 3.0 and it should be ready in a matter of weeks :)
But don't worry, your work will not be wasted: I have moved a few things and added some sections, but I haven't made many changes to the text that is already there.
 

kawam1123

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Nov 19, 2018
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Tokyo, Japan
WCA
2018KAWA05
Wow, nice job with the translation! The web version looks nice.
Just so you know, I am working on a version 3.0 and it should be ready in a matter of weeks :)
But don't worry, your work will not be wasted: I have moved a few things and added some sections, but I haven't made many changes to the text that is already there.

Thank you for your message! I really look forward to seeing a version 3.0.

As for translation, it will not matter for me since the progress is less than a half yet. Thank you for your kindness. I’m planning to prepare a Japanese translation in PDF format after finishing the web version above in some ways.


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