Weekly competition 2008-05

[alexc]

2x2: 8.44 (13.28) 8.13 (7.78) 9.06 Avg: 8.54
Comment: Ok, not as good as last week.

3x3: 21.33 (24.66) 19.25 22.59 (16.53) Avg: 21.06
Comment: Terrible...

4x4: (2:26.18) 2:08.53 2:09.30 (2:02.81) 2:21.56 Avg: 2:13.13
Comment: Awesome! Didn't know I could do this!

No blindfolded, still working on my memo and corner method. Overall, 3x3 sucked, 2x2 was ok, and 4x4 was great!

Oh, wait, how could I have forgotten OH!!!!! I'll post it later.

 

[mrCage]

After the hour was up (so this one doesn't count), I spent just 20 more minutes trying insertions and searching the Internet for an algorithm to twist 2 corners (which I will now memorize, since it's really easy to memorize), and I came up with this solution that was 5 moves better (35 moves):
2x2x3: . F2 B D2 L R U' B U' (8/8)
solve most of it: B D' B' D' B' L' . B (7/15)
insert at first . to solve edges: R F2 D U' R2 D' U R' (8/23)
insert at second . to twist corners: R F' D2 F R' U2 R F' D2 F R' U2 (12/35)
No cancellations, but at least the algorithms worked in those places without much setup.

Any answers as to how I could have done better? The start seems so nice.

Well, a quick look at it and i came up with:

Start= F2 B D2 L R.U' B U' B D' B' D' B':L' B

Insert R U2 F2 D2 L D2 F2 U2 at the dot for the edges.
Insert B L2 B' D R2 D' B L2 B' D R2 D' at the colon for the corners.

This shortens to 31 :rolleyes: Wiht more time i would have looked for a block (c/e) 3-cycle that solves edges and leaves 3 corners for a second insert. This is potentialy better - but advanced ;-)

- Per

 

[mrCage]

Hi

Starting again with F2 B D2 L R U' B U' B D' B' D'.B' L' B i now inserted F2 L F' L' F2 R:F R' at the dot - cycling 3 edges and 3 corners. This solves the edges and also affects the 2 twisted corners, hence we now have a pure 3-cycle on corners to sort out. This is dealt with at the colon with R'D'RU2R'DRU2. The final solution will then be F2 B D2 L R U' B U' B D' B' D' F2 L F' L' F2 D' R U2 R' D R U2 F R' B' L' B (29 htm). Insertions sure is a ton of fun.

Here i just tried the first block cycle that had desired effect, and i didnt look long for 2nd insertion. I'm sure there's even better to be found

- Per

 

[Mike Hughey]

Thank you, Per! I had never really thought about using a commutator to cycle the edges and corners at the same time - I can see where in a situation like this, it can really be helpful! I hadn't really seen these until recently, so I didn't know until recently that you could do that. I'll practice them now that you've shown me.

I think it's amazing you were able to take that beginning and get it down to 29 moves. You are truly the master.

 

[cmhardw]

Chris Hardwick
--------------
3x3x3: 14.26 15.24 15.16 (15.54) (12.75) = 14.89
comment: one day I'll do sub-15 in competition
2x2x2_bld: 29.21 20.29 DNF
3x3x3_bld: 1:36.52 2:11.08 DNF
4x4x4_bld: DNF DNF 7:31.91
5x5x5_bld: 20:08.56 DNF DNF
3x3x3 fewest moves: DNF

Not very happy with my BLD performance this week except maybe for 2x2x2. I need to sleep more. I almost had a mid-30 for the fewest moves, but took too long to find an insertion at the end.

Chris

 

[Kenneth]

2005GUST01 = Kenneth Gustavsson (Sweden)

----
3x3x3:
34.44 (35.91) (30.59) 35.71 32.92 => 34.36 .... Using my EG based BCE (columns first) and I'm happy to do sub 35 after only a month (it is pretty advanced and takes time to learn)

----
Pyraminx:

10.40 (6.11) (12.52) 11.66 11.85 => 11.30 .... Nice, close to my 11.51 10(12) average. 6.11 was an easy second last step and a ELL skip in the end = wery lucky, felt like half a normal solve. Soon FO 2008 so I started to practise Px again, think I soon can be sub 10 if I'm a bit lucky.

Just found I'm only 0.19 seconds behind Dan, why did I not twist just a little faster???

And if one wounders,: It is not me, it's my method, I think I'm the only one who uses it. Someday I may publish it on the internet so more people can learn because it is really good =)
----
Magic:

1.87 1.72 1.75 (DNF/3.69+) (1.62) => 1.78 .... As always when I do 3(5) and have not practice for a while, around 1.70.

DNF/3.69+ : At the WCA forum I saw that the new rules for Magic and Master is +2 seconds penalty if only one side is elevated too much, two or more = DNF. I don't know if this new rule is the one we use here? I had a 1.69 and a high side and that makes 3.69+ (does not matter in this case, it is the worst anyway, but if I had two of them I would or would not get an average so it's important)

----
Master Magic:

(4.05) 3.56 (3.44) 3.62 3.70 => 3.63 .... Decent, breaks my NR's

 

[dbeyer]

Mike, some things that don't look Commutatory for corners, or edges alone, can actually cycle two piece types in big cubes blind, or even in fewest moves.

Such as --R(Uu)R' r R(Uu)'R' r'-- on a big cube.
Oops
R(Uu)R' d' R(Uu)'R' d

 

[Mike Hughey]

Mike Hughey:
2x2x2: 12.15, 14.94, 9.22, 9.50, 12.08 = 11.24
3x3x3: 29.84, 28.61, 36.47, 27.09, 32.34 = 30.26
Comment: Almost sub-30! These were really easy solves, though – I’m not really this fast yet. At least I’m finally seeing some progress.
4x4x4: 2:02.78 (O), 2:34.03 (P), 2:38.53 (P), 2:23.89 (OP), 2:14.62 (O) = 2:24.18
5x5x5: 3:24.09, 3:25.24, 3:45.29, 3:56.99, 3:28.92 = 3:33.15
2x2x2 BLD: 44.09, 1:05.16, 1:23.27 = 44.09
3x3x3 BLD: 3:16.11, 2:56.30, DNF (2:58.34) = 2:56.30
Comment: The first one was fun because it was the first time I’ve ever used a J-perm to fix parity. I’m normally too afraid to try it because I’m nervous about executing it blindfolded, but I tried this time and got it right!
4x4x4 BLD: 16:02.33, DNF (17:42.19), DNF (12:57.22) = 16:02.33
Comment: The second one was off by 3 edges, the third one off by just 2 centers. Memorization: 8:02, 9:15, 7:10. Even though it was a DNF, the third one was the cubing highlight of my week– more than a minute faster than any previous attempt I’ve ever had, and my mistake was a memorization mistake – I memorized the letter "R" instead of "S".
5x5x5 BLD: DNF (37:26.90), 33:32.44, 37:01.66 = 33:32.44
Comment: First one was off by 7 + centers. Memorization: 16:11, 15:33, 18:01. The best one here was my second fastest ever.
Multi BLD: 4/4 (37:04.64)
Comment: Memorization:18:01. Unlike Karthik, I have more cubes, so I get to try 5 next week! Karthik, I hope you can get more cubes soon.
3x3x3 OH: 1:15.58, 1:03.81, 1:00.62, 1:16.72, 1:03.62 = 1:07.67
3x3x3 WF: 4:06.97 (+2), DNF, 3:35.88, 4:10.88, 4:53.19 = 3:57.91
Comment: Second one was a POP. No, I couldn’t put it back together with my feet.
Relay: 6:40.11
Magic: 2.18, 2.81, 2.47, 2.59, 3.08 = 2.62
Master Magic: 6.11, 49.65, 6.11, 9.65, 7.00 = 7.59
Clock: Still don’t have one.
MegaMinx: 4:20.47, 3:48.09, 4:46.78, 3:59.72, 3:45.88 = 4:02.76
Pyraminx: 34.08, 21.80, 23.43, 27.84, 20.25 = 24.36
Square-1: 1:39.93 (P), 1:47.46 (P), 58.61, 2:00.25 (P), 2:13.97 (P) = 1:49.21
Fewest Moves: (See earlier post) 40 moves

Daniel - I'm not sure I follow that algorithm - it looks like it's moving too many pieces. Are you sure you have it right there? ... And do you actually use algorithms that move two different types of pieces at once in big cube BLD solves? That seems rather advanced for me.

 

[slncuber21]

when does this end again? if its not today i will post some times

 

[Karthik]

Karthik, I hope you can get more cubes soon

I am not sure if I will have more cubes next week, but I will definitely have lots of cubes around me during Indian Open
So is this a race, Mike?

 

[MistArts]

3x3x3: (41.88), (34.34), 40.65, 36.47, 38.92 = 38.45

4x4x4: 4:23.76, 3:47.20, (4:56.32), 3:31.32, (2:26.94) = 3:48.57

Not so great..

 

[Dene]

when does this end again? if its not today i will post some times

I'm sure you would get away with another week, I don't think there's a huge rush, just give it a shot!

 

[AvGalen]

when does this end again? if its not today i will post some times

I'm sure you would get away with another week, I don't think there's a huge rush, just give it a shot!

.....This competition starts now and ends tuesday/wednesday nightchange (officialy), but I will only close a competition after the new one is on-line.

2x2x2: 7.56 8.66 8.31 7.21 8.11 = 7.99
3x3x3: 26.13 27.69 30.00 28.22 27.11 = 27.67
4x4x4: 1:45.33 (O) 1:39.28 (P) 1:50.58 (OP) 1:42.58 (OP) 1:52.75 (OP) = 1:46.16
5x5x5: 2:16.52 2:37.41 2:49.80 2:29.56 2:22.13 = 2:29.70
2x2x2_bf: 1:30.22 1:24.33 DNF = 1:24.33
3x3x3_bf: 5:27.53 6:18.59 DNF = 5:27.53
3x3x3_mbf: 0/3 in 50:01.99 minutes
Comment: Took a little to long, but I have a good excuse: My eyes were closed so I couldn't see the time . 1st = 2x2 wrong corners+2x2 wrong edges so probably a parityfix on the wrong 4 pieces. 2nd = wrong edge 3-cycle. 3rd = wrong corner 3-cycle.
3x3x3_oh: 46.34 47.08 42.00 45.59 48.25 = 46.34
3x3x3_fmc: F2 D2 B D' L U2 D B D B2 L' B D' B D2 B2 R' B D' B' R B D R' D R D
= 27

Initial Fridrich solve (35): F2 D2 B D' L U2 D B D B2 L' B D' B D2 R' D R B' D B D' B' D B' D' L R' B2 R L' D' B2 D2 B'
x-cross + prepare pair: F2 D2 B D' L U2
double x-cross + prepare last pairs: D B D B2 L' B D'
insert last pairs: B D2 R' D R D' B'
extended sune: B D B' D B D' B' D B . D2 B'
edge 3-cycle at . : B2 D' L R' B2 R L' D' B2

Improvement 1 (20 incomplete): F2 D2 B D' L U2 D B D B2 L' B D' B D2 B' R' D R D
x-cross + prepare pair: F2 D2 B D' L U2
double x-cross + prepare last pairs: D B D B2 L' B D'
insert last pairs: B D2 B' R' D R D
leaves a corner 3-cyle and an edge 3-cyle
but I decided to try playing with the pairs a little more and found this "commutator insertion"

Improvement 2, final solution (27): F2 D2 B D' L U2 D B D B2 L' B D' B D2 B2 R' B D' B' R B D R' D R D
x-cross + prepare pair: F2 D2 B D' L U2
double x-cross + prepare last pairs: D B D B2 L' B D'
insert last pairs: B D2 B' . R' D R D
fix last layer at . : B' R' B D' B' R B D

I wanted to see how far I could get with a "regular" Fridrich solve. I added just a couple of moves (4th move D', 7th move D, 10-12 B2 L' B instead of B' L') that prepare the next pairs. The good thing about "regular" Fridrich solves is that you have lots of time to experiment on the last layer.
Relay: 4:55.68
Magic: 1.84 1.84 1.66 13.68 1.77 = 1.82
Comment: Guess which solve I screwed up
Master Magic: 5.97 4.93 7.02 15.33 5.11 = 6.03
Comment: Guess which solve I screwed up
Clock: 22.03 22.84 21.86 21.86 22.16 = 22.02
Comment: Extremely consistent, especially because I have no preset order!
MegaMinx: 3:28.41 3:33.19 3:33.05 3:25.66 4:40.34 = 3:31.55
Comment: Last one was 2 pops
PyraMinx: DNF 12.11 16.43 10.27 11.52 = 13.35
Comment: First one had 3 cycled edges on bottom layer :confused:
Square-1: 1:06.38 (P) 1:38.25 (P) 1:37.90 (P) 1:40.97 (P) 1:26.69 (P) = 1:34.28
Comment: I HATE parity on the Square-1 (and 4x4x4) they influence your time to much!

 

[Dene]

when does this end again? if its not today i will post some times

I'm sure you would get away with another week, I don't think there's a huge rush, just give it a shot!

.....This competition starts now and ends tuesday/wednesday nightchange (officialy), but I will only close a competition after the new one is on-line.

Oh pish tush, I've seen people posting a week after the competition should have finished . Don't make me start correcting your spelling again!

 

[Dyste]

3x3x3: 36.75 33.16 30.15 27.95 25.95 = 30.42

It's either the scrambles got increasingly easier or I got faster.

Edit: Had to recalculate average because the timer did not exclude high and low.

 

[Kenneth]

2005GUST02 = Tommy Gustavsson (Sweden)

Magic: 1.55 (1.41) (DNF) 1.66 4.05 => 2.42

Master: 5.15 (4.38) 5.02 (5.41) 4.94 => 5.04

Got my brother to join the comp, he has not got a log in here yet so I post the results for him.

Edit: home again, was visiting my brother today. Told him to join at least the magic's (he is a buissy man and have not got much time to practice speedsolving). He is usally faster than me in Magic but messed a lot today. I'm faster than him in Master and he's masters are absolutly terrible so he is not much faster than the results here = pretty normal.

 

[masterofthebass]

Dan Cohen

Magic: 1.18 1.13 1.30 1.22 1.59 = 1.23
Megaminx: 2:20.34 2:29.15 2:27.66 2:03.65 2:20.69 = 2:22.89
I've improved a lot since I got my new minx... Watch out, you canadians...

4x4x4 BLD: DNF 13:48.04 DNF = 13:48.04
Horrible... Didn't feel good at all during these solves

 

[mrCage]

Hi

L2 R U2 F L' D2 L' F D' B' D2 L' F' L F D F2 L D L' D' F U' (24)

Very late entry this week. I was inspired by good entries this week to have a go. First i found B L' F2 U2 F' D2 R2 F, making the same 2x2x3 block as found by Mike. However nothing good came came out of it after studying it for 20 minutes. I then found a longer block L2 R U2 F L' D2 L' F D' B' which showed promise for a good finish. With only a few minutes left i cracked it

Btw, very nice insertion Arnaud. I found one more 27 solution from that start with slightly different insertion, and a 28-er with 2 insertions (block + corners)

- Per

 

[sam]

Hey Per,
Whats your best FMC move count?

 

[mrCage]

Hi

My best ever is 19, orienting edges AND corners in 8 turns. Hilariously easy scramble - D U' R' F B2 (R B2 R' U2)*4 B2 F2 U (D F D' B2)*4 F' D B' F R'

- Per