What Do All These Words Mean? (Written for Parents, Not Cubers!)

• +2
  Pronounced “plus two.” It’s a time penalty of 2 seconds given to a competitor’s result for an action (mistake) during the solve e.g. not finishing the solve completely but only being one move away.

• 3x3
  Normally written as “3x3” but pronounced “3 by 3.” This is the original cube as designed by Ernő Rubik (the Rubik’s Cube). Each face has nine pieces with three along each edge.

• Algorithm

  A sequence of moves - competitors memorise different algorithms so that they can move the pieces at speed while competing.

• Attempt

  Each effort to solve a cube in competition is known as an attempt. The number of attempts completed in one round by a competitor can range depending on the event and the competition, particularly in relation to the cut-off.

• Average
  For most events a competitor has five attempts to solve the cube. Of the five solves, the fastest and the slowest solves are excluded and an average is calculated of the remaining three. This is the average.

• Beginners’ Method

  This is the easiest way to solve a cube (but not the fastest) with 7 steps to get from a scrambled to a solved cube. Many parents learn this method.

• Case

  A case is a pattern you're recognising as well as the algorithm you are executing.

• Centres

  The pieces in the middle of each face of the cube.

• Competitor card

  A piece of paper you are given when you arrive at the competition and register. It contains your ID number and tells you which groups you are in for competing, scrambling and judging. Sometimes called a “group card.”

• Corners

  The pieces on the corners between faces of a cube

• Cube

  Shorthand for any of the twisty-puzzles regardless of the shape.

• Cube Cover

  The “box” that goes over a cube to hide it from view before a competitor starts.

• Cuber

  Someone who speedcubes.

• Cut-off

  For most events a competitor has five attempts to solve the cube. However, you only get to do all five solves if you meet the cut-off time in one of the first two solves. The cut-off time is the agreed maximum time for that event for a competitor to be able to do all five solves. For the 3x3 this is normally 3 minutes. It is different from the time-limit.

• Delegate

  Volunteers who are formally recognised by the World Cube Association. They make sure that competitions are run according to the mission, spirit, and regulations of the WCA.

• Discord

  An instant messaging social platform (age 13+) that is widely used for cubers to chat/compete online.

• DNF

  Did Not Finish. When a competitor attempts a solve but doesn’t solve it completely or within the time-limit. Any disqualified results are also listed as DNF.

• DNS

  Did Not Start. When a competitor doesn’t start an attempt. This is mostly only used when a competitor forfeits their attempt(s).

• Edge pieces

  The piece on the outside edge of a cube

• Event

  Different types of puzzle that are part of the schedule for that competition.

• F2L

  First Two Layers (F2L). Used when on a 3x3 all the pieces in the first two layers of the cube are solved.

• Face

  One side of the cube.

• Group

  Each event is split into a number of groups of competitors to help manage the event. If there are 180 competitors then there may be 12 different groups for the 3x3. The competitor card tells you which group you are competing in.

• ID

  Identification number – can be found on your competitor card

• Inspection time

  Once the cube is revealed (the cover taken off) the competitor has up to 15 seconds to look at the cube. That 15 seconds is the inspection time.

• Judge

  The person responsible for watching a solve to confirm that it was valid and the initial person to record the times on the competitor record sheet.

• Layer

  Each cube is split into different layers, a 3x3 has three layers. Beginner methods solve one layer at a time.

• Lube

  No giggling! It is a liquid or gel used on a cube to help reduce the friction as it turns (so it should turn faster.)

• Parity

  This does not happen on a 2x2 or 3x3 but for some of the larger cubes. Parity is when the cube is in a pattern (case) that isn’t solvable using the normal algorithm, and you need to do some special moves to get the cube solved. When your young person has a bad solve on the larger cubes, it is often because of parity which they usually can’t do anything to avoid (i.e. it’s very frustrating.)

• PB

  Personal Best. The best result you’ve got (either at home or in competition.)

• PR

  Personal Record. The best result you’ve got in competition (only.)

• Pieces

  The coloured parts of a cube.

• Popped

  When the cube falls apart

• Register

  There are two places in which you might need to register. The first on-line for a competition on the WCA website. The second is in-person at a competition to let the volunteer team know that you have arrived and so that you can receive your competitor card. This second place is now normally called check-in to reduce confusion.

• Runner

  Someone helping at a cubing competition by taking a cube from the scramble table, finding the applicable competitor and taking them to a solving station where a judge will then supervise their solving. Runners also collect cubes after they have been solved and return them to the scramble table if there are more attempts to complete.

• Scorecard

  A sheet for recording times of official solves. Competitors submit their puzzles by placing their cube with the record sheet for that event.

• Scramble

  Mixing up the cube. In competitions there are “official” scrambles that must be used.

• Single

  For most events a competitor has five attempts to solve a cube. Of the five solves, the fastest time is the single result.

• Time limit

  The time limit is the maximum time you have to solve the cube. Beyond that time the time will be recorded as DNF (Did Not Finish). For the 3x3 this is often ten minutes. The time limit is different to the cut-off time.

• Timer

  The equipment used to time the solve. Starts and stops with both hands touching the timer pads.

• TPS

  Turns Per Second, i.e. how fast the competitor is turning the cube.

• Turning Speed

  The speed at which a competitor is turning the cube.

• UKCA
  UK Cube Association, the UK’s recognised regional organisation for organising Speedcubing competitions to WCA standards.

• WCA

  World Cube Association, the governing body for Speedcubing.

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Kirsty Grainger, 2023-2024