Fewest Moves Challenge, or FMC, is a quiet event in which all competitors are given the same scramble and have one hour to find the shortest possible solution to that scramble. FMC is unique in how it rewards creativity, efficiency, and knowledge of cube theory. Even if you only know beginner's method or CFOP, it can still be fun to try to force lucky cases and use techniques you wouldn't be able to apply in a normal speedsolve.

The regulations for the event can be found here, but below are the most important things to remember:

• You can only use up to three 3x3s, as well as colored stickers to help track pieces.
• Your solution must be 80 moves or less. Rotations are included in this 80 move limit, but are not counted when scoring your solution.
• Only face turns (e.g. R) may be used to solve the puzzle - no slice moves (e.g. M)!
• Wide moves may be used to move 2 layers at once (e.g. Rw), but they must be written correctly. Rw' is valid notation, but R'w or r' will result in a DNF.
• Rotations may be used (e.g. x, y, z), but they must be written correctly: x follows R, y follows U, and z follows F.
• The 1 hour time limit is enforced very strictly, so make sure you prepare a backup solution in case you don't finish in time.
• Solutions may be submitted on any piece of paper as long as you clearly box or otherwise indicate your solution and include your name and round/attempt number.
• Make sure to write your solution as neatly as possible. Solutions with ambiguously-written moves (e.g. an L that looks like a U) may be disqualified.
• If you are interested, we recommend giving it a try!

Registration

To register for the competition, go to the Register tab on the left side of the page. We recommend registering as soon as registration opens to secure a spot. Note that your registration is not considered complete until payment has been made. Contact the organization team if you wish to add or remove events.

Waitlist

When the competition fills up, subsequent registrations will be placed on a waitlist. If a competitor withdraws their registration, they are replaced by the first competitor on the waitlist. You must pay the registration fee to join the waitlist, but the fee will be refunded in full if you do not make it off the waitlist by the time registration closes.

Refunds

Registrations may be cancelled by contacting the organization team. If you have been accepted into the competition, 80% of your fee will be refunded. If you are on the waitlist, 100% of your fee will be refunded. Refunds will only be issued if the request is made before the refund deadline on the General Info tab.

Students

Current students of Northwestern University may register for free. When registering, specify that you are a Northwestern student in the registration comments. Instead of paying the registration fee, send proof of your student status to dtong@worldcubeassociation.org within 24 hours. For example, this can be a picture of your Wildcard, enrollment verification, or unofficial transcript. You may redact your student ID number and any other sensitive information. If you do not provide proof of your student status within 24 hours, you will be removed from the registration list until proof is provided.

Directions

Warning: the building is large and difficult to navigate, so please allow at least 15 extra minutes to find the competition room. An interior map of the venue can be found here.

Parking

Parking at Northwestern is free on weekends. This map illustrates where you can park. We recommend parking in lot 132, which is a relatively large parking lot across the street from the venue. Lot 111 is smaller and adjacent to the venue.

Transit

The CTA Purple Line stops at Noyes, which is located 0.4 miles (a 10-minute walk) from the venue. CTA bus 201 has a stop right outside the venue. Metra line UP-N as well as Pace buses 208, 213, and 250 stop one mile away from the venue on Davis Street. For detailed transit directions, consult Google Maps.

Venue

The competition is located in the Technological Institute of Northwestern University; the building is often called "Tech" for short. From parking lot 132, cross Sheridan Road and enter through the main doors at the end of the patio. Once inside the building, use this map to locate room M345 on the third floor. Restroom locations are also marked on the map. Please enter and exit through the room's back entrance to avoid disturbing competitors at the front.

Food

The nearest food is 0.4 miles away from the venue on Noyes Street next to Noyes Station. Restaurants there include D&D Dogs, Tomate, Al's Deli, and Stacked & Folded. Downtown Evanston (about 1 mile away) has many more options. If you need something quick to eat, vending machines and microwaves are available on the first floor of Tech in a cafeteria area called Tech Express.