Square-1

The Square-1 (Squan) is the only WCA puzzle that changes shape. It will cut your fingers. It will break your brain.

Notation

Square-1 speaks a different language. It uses (Top, Bottom) coordinates and / (Slash).

• /: Slice the right half of the puzzle 180 degrees.
• (3, 0): Turn Top layer 30 degrees clockwise (1 big wedge).
• (-1, 0): Turn Top layer 30 degrees counter-clockwise (1 small wedge).

The Steps (Vandenbergh Method)

1. Cubeshape

The puzzle starts looking like a crushed soda can. Your first goal is to make it a cube.

• Strategy: Gather all 8 edges together to form a “Star” or “Scallop” shape, then slash.
• Difficulty: High. If you mess up, you are back to the soda can.

2. Corner Orientation (CO)

Make all corners match their face colors.

3. Edge Orientation (EO)

Make all edges match their face colors.

• Algorithm: M2 equivalent on Squan is (1,0) / (-1,-1) / (0,1). Good luck remembering that.

4. Corner Permutation (CP)

Put corners in the right spots.

• We often use an algo that swaps 2 corners on top and 2 on bottom simultaneously (J/J).

5. Edge Permutation (EP)

Swap the edges.

• Parity: Oh yes. Square-1 has the worst parity of all.
• The Parity Alg: It is terrifyingly long.
  • / (3,3) / (1,0) / (-2,-2) / (2,0) / (2,2) / (-1,0) / (-3,-3) / (-2,0) / (3,3) / (3,0) / (-1,-1) / (-3,0) / (1,1) / (-4,3)

Why solve it?

Because you hate yourself? Or maybe because the “Slash” move feels incredibly satisfying, like chopping vegetables.