I did some more and found fast algorithms. The most amazing one was for
the configuration with two 2x2x2 cubes embedded in the cube:
( 9+ 6=15): U1 L2 D1 R1 B3 R1 B3 R1 B3 D3 L2 U1 R2 F2 U2
This looks remarkably like a random sequence of moves. I find especially
the part R1 B3 R1 B3 R1 B3 intriguing!

(For der Mouse. I lost your e-mail address. I can provide you with the
program. And for everybody, it is available, although I still do not like
the input method.)

dik
--
dik t. winter, cwi, kruislaan 413, 1098 sj amsterdam, nederland
dik@cwi.nl