Difference between revisions of "Introduction to Speedcubing for Beginners"

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This guide will give you a small introduction to [[speedcubing]].
 
This guide will give you a small introduction to [[speedcubing]].
  
If you are new to this sport, you will find out there is a lot of information available.. If you are dazzled about the amount of information, just take it one step at a time.
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If you are new to speedcubing, you will find out there is a lot of information available. If you are dazzled about the amount of information, just take it one step at a time.  The [https://www.speedsolving.com/forum SpeedSolving.com Forums] has a lot great discussions, and this page will give you an overview of the most common questions.
  
 
== Frequently Asked Questions ==
 
== Frequently Asked Questions ==
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=== What is the Rubik's Cube? ===
 
=== What is the Rubik's Cube? ===
  
The Rubik's Cube is a puzzle, invented by Erno Rubik in 1974. In 1980, the Cube was marketed world-wide, and 200 million of them were sold. Here you can see what a Rubik's Cube looks like.
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The Rubik's Cube is a puzzle, invented by Erno Rubik in 1974. In 1980, the Cube was marketed world-wide, and 200 million of them were sold. Today many brands make cubes designed specifically for speedsolving - they are more robust, more loose, and better designed.  The vast majority of speedsolvers use brands other than Rubik's, and the puzzle is often referred to as "a 3x3" in the community rather than a "Rubik's Cube".
  
 
=== What is speedcubing? ===
 
=== What is speedcubing? ===
  
Speedcubing is the art of solving Rubik's Cube (and other twisty puzzles) as fast as possible. I think most people would also say that speedcubing is more than that: Other disciplines, such as one handed cubing or blindfold cubing can also be called "speedcubing".
+
Speedcubing is the art of solving Rubik's Cube (and other twisty puzzles) as fast as possible. Most people would also say that speedcubing is more than that: Other disciplines, such as one handed cubing or blindfold cubing, or even solving non-cubic twisty puzzles can also be called "speedcubing".  Speedcubing is a combination of solving efficiently, but also solving quickly.  The shortest solution may not be the fastest.
  
 
=== How can I solve the cube? ===
 
=== How can I solve the cube? ===
  
If your are a beginner, there are a lot of websites available that will explain how to solve the [[3x3x3 cube]] in an easy way. (**Please note that there are many different ways to solve the cubeSome of these links will describe different methods**)
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If you are a beginner, there are a lot of websites available that will explain how to solve the [[3x3x3 cube]] easily. There are also a lot of good tutorials on YouTube.  There are many different techniques and methods.  Beginners typically start with a simple Cross > First Layer > Last Layer (In 4 steps - Flip Last Layer Edges > Flip Last Layer Corners > Cycle Last Layer Corners > Cycle Last Layer Edges).  Faster solvers typically learn more advanced techniques and study positions to find quicker solutions and faster algorithms (sequences of moves to solve a given position)Below are 2 tutorials to start:
[http://peter.stillhq.com/jasmine/rubikscubesolution.html Andy Camann]
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[http://grrroux.free.fr/begin/Begin.html Gilles Roux]
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* [http://cube.crider.co.uk/beginner.html How to Solve a Rubik's Cube With 1 Alg]
[http://www.solvethecube.co.uk/ Joel van Noort]
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmnSpUgOvyI How to Solve a Rubik's Cube on YouTube]
[http://www.its.caltech.edu/%7Eleyanlo/cube_solution.pdf Leyan Lo]
 
[http://pjkcubed.com/rubiks-cube-beginners-guide.html Patrick Kelly]
 
[http://jeays.net/rubiks.htm Mark Jeays]
 
  
 
=== How does the notation system work? ===
 
=== How does the notation system work? ===
  
The cube has got six sides: Front, Back, Left, Right, Upper and Down (F, B, L, R U and D). A single letter represents a clockwise turn of that face. For this, imagine that every side has an image of a clock on it, and a 90 degree clockwise turn has to go in the same direction as that clock. It might take a while to get used to this, because for the B face, from the perspective of the person holding the cube, a clockwise turn looks like a counterclockwise turn in a way... But after using this system for a while, you will get used to it. A single letter followed by a ? represents a counterclockwise turn of that face. A single letter followed by a 2 represents a 180 degree turn of that face. In that case, the direction of the turn doesn?t matter. Most cubers use a lot more notation symbols than this. An explanation of all symbols can be found here: http://www.cosine-systems.com/cubest...enotation.html.
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The cube has six sides: Front, Back, Left, Right, Upper and Down (F, B, L, R U and D). A single letter represents a clockwise turn of that face. The [[3x3x3 notation]] page has a more in depth description on how notation works. It takes a little practice to get used to, but gets easier with practice.
 
 
=== What do all these abbreviations mean? (CFOP, ZBLL, CLL, ELL, DNF, AUF, BCFSSS and more) ===
 
 
 
As in other specialized fields, cubers use a lot of abbreviations and words that most people don?t know. An explanation of a lot of this cubing lingo can be found here.
 
 
 
=== My cube is very stiff... What can I do to make it run smoother? ===
 
 
 
There are a lot of cubes out there that are recommended for speedcubing. However, most cubes will get looser by simply using them very often. Some cubes allow you to take off the center-caps and fine-tune the tension of the screws and springs. By turning the screws, you can make the cube a bit more loose, by turning the springs you can adjust tension with how each side turns. Another idea is to lube your cube with silicone spray. You should be careful with this, because some lubricants can be quite aggressive for your cube. If it say's "WD-40" anywhere on your lubricant, DONT use it to lube your cube. You can read more about [[Lubrication]] on the main article on it
 
 
 
=== How can I "open"/take apart my cube? ===
 
 
 
You can turn one of the faces 45 degrees, and try to POP out one of the edge pieces, as shown in this picture: http://www.speedcubing.com/ton/3x3x3_dis.JPG. You should be careful with this. With extremely stiff cubes this doesn?t work.
 
 
 
=== Where can I learn those fingertricks? ===
 
 
 
There aren't many websites that really have a section about finger tricks. On [http://www.solvethecube.co.uk This page], I have one tutorial that explains the basic finger tricks, and gives a few examples. (click tutorials, and search for the "Fingertricks" tutorial). There are some websites with videos that show you how to perform algorithms. www.cubewhiz.com provides algorithms with videos. This can give you an idea about how to execute certain combinations of moves. www.strangepuzzle.com hosts a lot of speedcubing videos. These videos are really fast, but it can give you some inspiration. After watching all these videos for a while, you will probably start doing your own tricks.
 
  
=== What is the best method for speedsolving the Cube? ===
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=== What is the best method for speedsolving the Rubik's Cube? ===
  
I honestly don't know... I wish I knew! I don't really think there is a "best method". I think you should just find a speedcubing method that feels right for you. Below this FAQ, you will find a list of links. Some of them link to popular speedcubing methods. However, before learning an extremely advanced method, I think it?s a good idea to first learn a beginners method!
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There is not a "best" method, but most of the fastest solvers in the world currently use [[CFOP]], with several top 100 solvers using [[Roux Method]]. An overview of methods can be found on the [[3x3x3 speedsolving methods]] page.
  
 
=== Where can I buy puzzles? ===
 
=== Where can I buy puzzles? ===
  
http://www.rubiks.com sells a lot of twisty puzzles. I can highly recommmend the DIY kits for speedcubing.
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There are many shops online that sell puzzles all over the world. To start, we'd recommend checking out [https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/which-cube-should-i-get-up-to-date-recommendations.70960/ this thread on the SpeedSolving forum] suggesting beginning, intermediate, and expert level puzzles for varying budgets, as well as links for prices and shops to purchase the puzzles at.
 
 
http://www.mefferts.com also sells a lot of nice puzzles. Free shipping to anywhere in the world!
 
 
 
http://www.e-bay.com. Some cubers have luck with finding good puzzles on e-bay. I don't have any experience with this at all... So all I can say is: good luck with searching, and be careful with buying. Look at the sellers message, and other auctions, and try to estimate if he or she can be trusted.
 
 
 
=== The stickers of my cube are starting to look ugly... How can I solve this problem? ===
 
 
 
This is a well known problem. Most cubes don't have high quality stickers on them. This causes the stickers to start looking ugly, often after less than 2 months of using the puzzle. The BEST solution to this, by far, is to buy new stickers; I highly recommend getting yourself Vinyl (PVC) stickers, Cubesmith sells high quality stickers.[http://cubesmith.com CubeSmith]
 
Making your own stickers takes a lot of time, and you probably won't have results as good as those stickers from CubeSmith!
 
  
 
=== How can I solve higher order cubes? (4x4, 5x5) ===
 
=== How can I solve higher order cubes? (4x4, 5x5) ===
  
You can find a method for the 4x4 here: http://www.speedcubing.com/chris/4-solution.html. The same ideas can be used for solving the 5x5. Another website that deals with higher order cubes can be found here: http://www.bigcubes.com.
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There are several methods for solving he 4x4x4 and 5x5x5. To start, watch [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWOZHbDdOeo this YouTube tutorial] on how to solve the 4x4x4 Cube. YouTube has many other tutorials on how to solve the 5x5x5 and other puzzles.
 
 
=== How can I solve the F2L quickly with the Fridrich system/method? ===
 
 
 
Erik A. did a nice video on how he does the F2L slowly, check it out here, it should help:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbKvOXE__CM
 
 
 
These two sites basically teach the same thing, but they use different algorithms.
 
http://www.snkenjoi.com/wikicube/index.php...e=Intuitive_F2L
 
http://dougreed.no-ip.org/~doug/f2l/f2l.htm
 
 
 
This site lists all 41 cases.
 
http://www.cubestation.co.uk/cs2/index.php...x3/cfop/f2l/f2l
 
  
 
=== Where can I see all current official/unofficial records? ===
 
=== Where can I see all current official/unofficial records? ===
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All official records (records that are done at an official competition) can be found here:
 
All official records (records that are done at an official competition) can be found here:
 
http://www.worldcubeassociation.org/results/index.php
 
http://www.worldcubeassociation.org/results/index.php
 
All unofficial records can be found here:
 
http://www.speedcubing.com/records
 
  
 
=== Other Information ===
 
=== Other Information ===
  
For more FAQ's, please visit this link (contains general usage FAQ of the forum itself):
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The best way to learn is to search the vast amount of posts on the [https://www.speedsolving.com/forum Speedsolving Forum].  You can search via the Search box in the upper right of the forum.
http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/faq.php
 
  
=== Some useful links ===
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[https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/best-most-useful-threads-on-speedsolving-com.70376/ Here is a thread with the Best/Most Useful threads] on the forum that is worth checking out.
  
Speedcubing Tips
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=== How-To Guides ===
I think these are the most important things you should know if you want to get into speedcubing.
 
  
http://www.speedcubing.com
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The [https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/forums/how-tos-guides-etc.18/ How-To/Guides forum] on SpeedSolving.com has a vast amount of great tutorials on various topics.
Here you can find the latest speedcubing new, results of competitions, unofficial world records, and more.
 
  
http://www.geocities.com/jaapsch/puzzles/
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[[Category:Competitive Cubing]]
This is one of the largest websites about twisty (and other!) puzzles. You can find a lot of information about different variants. Jaap's website also deals with the mathematical aspects of these puzzles.
 
  
http://www.ws.binghamton.edu/fridrich/cube.html
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===Should I go to a competition? ===
This is the website of Jessica Fridrich. In the 80's, she develloped one of the most popular methods for speedcubing. Reading this website gives you a nice impression about what speedcubing is... It?s how I started speedcubing. If you want to this method, I would advise you not to use the algorithms on her website, though. There are a lot of websites that provide algorithms that can be executed faster.
 
 
 
http://grrroux.free.fr/
 
Gilles Roux is one of the fastest speedcubers in the world. He uses a method that he develloped all by himself. And I must say, the method looks very nice. Also take a look at his funny movies!
 
 
 
http://www.cubestation.co.uk/
 
Dan Harris is the fastest speedcubing in the UK. His website contains a lot of information, especially about the Fridrich (CFOP) method.
 
 
 
http://www.cubezone.be
 
Lars is officially the fastest cuber in Europe! He has published most of his algorithms on his website. Lars has a very focussed style of cubing.
 
 
 
http://www.stefan-pochmann.de/
 
Last but not least: Stefan is one of my cubing hero?s. He's a very nice guy, and he often comes up with very nice and inventive ideas. He also has a very easy and powerfull method for solving the cube blindfolded(!).
 
 
 
=== Puzzle Shops ===
 
 
 
This is where you can find information on where to buy puzzles:
 
http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117
 
 
 
=== How-To Guides ===
 
  
Here is a link to the How-To section, which includes various tutorials and guides. Please check it out when you get the chance:
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Of course! If you can solve a cube, you should go to a competition. There you will meet many people who share your interest. It isn't just about competition, it's about the community! To see if there is one in your area, [https://www.worldcubeassociation.org/competitions click here (WCA competition page)].
http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=18
 

Revision as of 13:39, 4 December 2018

This guide will give you a small introduction to speedcubing.

If you are new to speedcubing, you will find out there is a lot of information available. If you are dazzled about the amount of information, just take it one step at a time. The SpeedSolving.com Forums has a lot great discussions, and this page will give you an overview of the most common questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Rubik's Cube?

The Rubik's Cube is a puzzle, invented by Erno Rubik in 1974. In 1980, the Cube was marketed world-wide, and 200 million of them were sold. Today many brands make cubes designed specifically for speedsolving - they are more robust, more loose, and better designed. The vast majority of speedsolvers use brands other than Rubik's, and the puzzle is often referred to as "a 3x3" in the community rather than a "Rubik's Cube".

What is speedcubing?

Speedcubing is the art of solving Rubik's Cube (and other twisty puzzles) as fast as possible. Most people would also say that speedcubing is more than that: Other disciplines, such as one handed cubing or blindfold cubing, or even solving non-cubic twisty puzzles can also be called "speedcubing". Speedcubing is a combination of solving efficiently, but also solving quickly. The shortest solution may not be the fastest.

How can I solve the cube?

If you are a beginner, there are a lot of websites available that will explain how to solve the 3x3x3 cube easily. There are also a lot of good tutorials on YouTube. There are many different techniques and methods. Beginners typically start with a simple Cross > First Layer > Last Layer (In 4 steps - Flip Last Layer Edges > Flip Last Layer Corners > Cycle Last Layer Corners > Cycle Last Layer Edges). Faster solvers typically learn more advanced techniques and study positions to find quicker solutions and faster algorithms (sequences of moves to solve a given position). Below are 2 tutorials to start:

How does the notation system work?

The cube has six sides: Front, Back, Left, Right, Upper and Down (F, B, L, R U and D). A single letter represents a clockwise turn of that face. The 3x3x3 notation page has a more in depth description on how notation works. It takes a little practice to get used to, but gets easier with practice.

What is the best method for speedsolving the Rubik's Cube?

There is not a "best" method, but most of the fastest solvers in the world currently use CFOP, with several top 100 solvers using Roux Method. An overview of methods can be found on the 3x3x3 speedsolving methods page.

Where can I buy puzzles?

There are many shops online that sell puzzles all over the world. To start, we'd recommend checking out this thread on the SpeedSolving forum suggesting beginning, intermediate, and expert level puzzles for varying budgets, as well as links for prices and shops to purchase the puzzles at.

How can I solve higher order cubes? (4x4, 5x5)

There are several methods for solving he 4x4x4 and 5x5x5. To start, watch this YouTube tutorial on how to solve the 4x4x4 Cube. YouTube has many other tutorials on how to solve the 5x5x5 and other puzzles.

Where can I see all current official/unofficial records?

All official records (records that are done at an official competition) can be found here: http://www.worldcubeassociation.org/results/index.php

Other Information

The best way to learn is to search the vast amount of posts on the Speedsolving Forum. You can search via the Search box in the upper right of the forum.

Here is a thread with the Best/Most Useful threads on the forum that is worth checking out.

How-To Guides

The How-To/Guides forum on SpeedSolving.com has a vast amount of great tutorials on various topics.

Should I go to a competition?

Of course! If you can solve a cube, you should go to a competition. There you will meet many people who share your interest. It isn't just about competition, it's about the community! To see if there is one in your area, click here (WCA competition page).