What Are All the Different Events/Types of “Cubes?”

There are 17 “official” cubing events:

• 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, 5x5, 6x6, 7x7
  These are all cube shaped with each side with the related number of pieces along each side of the cube.

• 3x3 one-handed
  Competitors solve the cube using only one hand (they can use their left or right hand, but the other hand must be out of the way once solving starts. Competitors can let the cube touch the table during the solve.

• Megaminx
  A 12-sided dodecahedron cube.

• Pyraminx

  A 4-sided “pyramid” cube (the triangle one.)

• Clock

  This is a flat puzzle with 9 clock faces on each side.

• Square-1

  Cube similar to the 3x3 but not all the pieces are the same size or shape, with rectangular ones in the centre. It doesn’t always look like a cube when it isn’t solved.

• Skewb

  Cube similar in size to the 3x3 but with large diamond shapes in the middle.

• Fewest Moves Challenge (AKA FMC, or just “Fewest Moves”)

  Competitors have a set amount of time (1 hour) to identify how to solve the 3x3 in the fewest moves. They have to write down their solution before the time-limit.

• Blindfolded: 3x3, 4x4, 5x5

  Solving the cube while wearing a blindfold. The timer starts as soon as the cube is revealed, and the competitor inspects the cube and puts their blindfold on to solve it in the quickest time possible.

• Multiple Blindfolded (AKA “Multi-Blind”):

  Solving multiple 3x3 cubes while wearing a blindfold. The timer starts as soon as the cubes are revealed, and the competitor inspects the cubes and puts their blindfold on to solve all the cubes in the quickest time possible. Competitors say how many cubes they are going to attempt during cube submission and points are given depending on the number attempted and the number solved correctly.

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Kirsty Grainger, 2023-2024