Patterns | Unusual resolutions

FEWEST LOOKS TO SOLVE

The goal is to solve the Rubik's Cube looking at it the less you can during solving it.
Example: 2 looks means that you look at the cube before beginning, then you close your eyes and you begin solving, and, at a certain point you open your eyes, you examine the cube and you close them and you don't reopen them until the cube is completed.
That's not easy, but it's an interesting exercise.
Usually I manage to solve the cube looking at it 7 times.

BLINDFOLDED RUBIK'S CUBE SOLVING

Very similar to the last exercise, except that now you decide to look at the cube only at the beginning and to reopen your eyes only when the cube is completed. Generally, people who are able to do such an astounding thing study the cube approximately for a quarter of an hour before beginning solving. A great capacity of memorization is required to be able to remember the state of the cube at the start.
The solution consist in using some conservative algorithms, that is to say algorithms that change only a part of the cube. For example, the algorithm that places 3 corners without changing the place of the others and the edge cubes.
You can also make memorization of the start state easier by giving a name to each cubbies which form the Rubik's Cube.
You should also know that Ralf Laue managed to reconstitute 3 cubes blindfolded (that is to say that he has carefully examined the 3 cubes, then he blindfolded himself and solved the 3 cubes) (details)

FEWEST MOVES TO SOLVE

The two main points of this type of resolution are:
-a minute examination of the cube in order to try to find the movements you'd better do and also try to make choices that allows you to reconstitute several parts of the cube at the same time and being careful you don't destroy some parts of the cube that are luckily already done, even if usually you pay attention to them further ahead in the resolution.
-knowing a lot of algorithms in order to be able to choose the best one for each case.

I managed one time to do the cube in 44 movements, but I was lucky.

SOLVING ONE HANDED

For the ones who have only one valid hand that's for sure the only way to solve a cube. But for the others it can be a funny and not easy challenge.

There are two possibilities:
-you can use only the hand of your choice (that is to say that during all the resolution the cube doesn't touch anything else than your hand)
-you can use the hand of your choice, but you allow yourself to take advantage of a table or of your chest in order to let the cube rest on it or to counterbalance your hand's action (but still not using your other hand of course)

The second solution is of course easier than the first one.
In the first case my record is 2min32s, in the second case it's 1'49"33.
Note : it is far more easier with a lubricated cube...
The official record for solving the cube one handed is 53.29 sec... train yourself.

THE BEST ONE : WITH THE FEET!

If you are a nervous person, that's not for you. It's very hard.
I only tried twice and my best is 11min48s. Of course you can let the cube rest on the floor and you can help you with a wall corner. It's really harder than it sounds.
I advise you to try, only to realize the difficulty : and you will also realize you are lucky to have two hands.
Seriously, try it(just the first face for example), but make sure that you're alone 'cause you could look like a very weird guy...
And if your cube isn't lubricated, you will have a rough time!
By the way, well... don't forget to take a shower before :-)