Skwuction

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Skwuction method
Information about the method
Proposer(s): Jaap Scherphuis, Cary Huang
Proposed:
Alt Names: Squan reduction
Variants:
No. Steps: 3, 7 counting substeps
No. Algs: unknown
Avg Moves:
Purpose(s):

The Skwuction method is a reduction-esque speedsolving method for the Square-1 puzzle. It was originally created by Jaap Scherphuis, and greatly contributed to by Cary Huang. The name "skwuction" is a wordplay on Square-1 and reduction.

The steps

  • 1. Turn the Puzzle into a cubic shape.
  • 2. Connect 8(all) corner-edge pairs.
  • 2a. Solve 3 pairs intuitively.
  • 2b. Use an algorithm to solve the last 5 pairs.
  • 3. Solve the puzzle like a 2x2x2, using slice moves and 90-180° layer turns.
  • 3a. Put the pieces in their correct layer.
  • 3b. Permute both layers.

Trivia

A note from Cary Huang is as following:

"For a time, I thought this method would work for speedsolving. I though sub-15 was definitely possible. However, I hadn't really considered how difficult the recognition for last-5-edge-pairing would be, and I think that's the major drawback. However, it's kind of similar to 4x4 edge pairing, in that you don't care where the pieces actually are, just whether they're paired up with similar pieces. And to many people, including myself, 4x4 edge pairing is actually really fun. It's fast, and recognition isn't hard at all. So maybe Sq-1 edge pairing just needs some getting used to? Well, anyway, I gave up pursuing this method once I was averaging 26, and I haven't speedsolved a Square-1 since then. I can't decide if it's worth it to start doing it again. I mean, in terms of just spamming algs to solve the thing, Skwuction just can't compare to the simplicity of the Vandenbergh method. (Although... if I recall correctly, Skwuction actually has a lower average movecount if you do it right.)"

See also

External links