Have you seen those kids on the net solving the Rubik’s cube in what, a matter of seconds? The fact that people can solve it that easily is just mind-blowing. Moreover, it is a very tough task to do that in just a matter of few seconds. I mean if you ask me than I cannot seem to solve the Rubik’s Cube even after trying for hours altogether. Speedcubing is tricky but very interesting though. Once you start doing Rubik’s cube, trust me there is no turning back. You will find yourself gradually indulged so much in the cube.
This skill of solving the Rubik’s cube the fastest is called speedcubing or just cubing. Those who solve the cubes in a flash are called speedcubers. There is lot more that you can know about Speedcubing.
Did you know the current record for solving the Rubik’s Cube the fastest is 3.47 seconds by Yusheng Du? He beat the record set by Feliks Zemdegs by only 0.75 seconds!
Rubik’s Cube History
Many of you are not very familier with the history of Rubik’s Cube. So, in the year 1974 a Hungarian professor of architecture, Ernő Rubik was keen on modelling three-dimensional movement. Months after breaking his head on it, he crafted the Magic Cube which was later named Rubik’s Cube.
It was made of wood and paper, held by rubber bands, glue, and paper clips. The second challenge faced by him after creating the cube was how to solve it. In an interview, he mentioned that it took him around three months to solve the Rubik’s Cube the first time.
Types of Rubik’s Cube
The standard sizes of the cubes are 2X2X2, 3X3X3, 4X4X4, 5X5X5, 6X6X6, and 7X7X7 which can be solved in many ways like 3X3X3 one-handed, 3X3X3 blindfolded, 4X4X4 blindfolded, and 5X5X5 blindfolded. You can also find different shapes of the cube-like Pyraminx, Megaminx, Skewb, and Square-1.
But the burning question is, how can we solve the Rubik’s Cube when it has about 43 quintillions (quintillion has 18 zeros!) possible configurations?
Well, there are many ways of solving the Rubik’s Cube, but not all are intended for speedcubing. Most speedcubers use the CFOP method to solve the Rubik’s Cube. It is the the fastest method but Roux and ZZ methods are also popular methods.
Speedcubing: CFOP Method
The CFOP method which is also called the Fridrich method was named after Jessica Fridrich who finished the 2003 Rubik’s Cube World Championship. It is called CFOP because it is abbreviated for Cross-F2L-OLL-PLL, which is considered one of the most widely used speedcubing methods. The first step of the method is to solve a cross-shaped arrangement of edge pieces of the first layer, after which you solve the remaining pieces of the first layer and all of the second layer. This step is the F2L step- the first 2 layers step.
The last layer is then solved in two steps, first, all the pieces in the layer are oriented to form a solid colour, which is one side of the same colour. This step is called orientation and is usually performed with a single set of algorithms known as OLL- Orientation of the Last Layer. Now, all the pieces are permuted to their correct spots, this step is called PLL- Permutation of the Last Layer. OLL and PLL use 57 and 21 algorithms, respectively. In case you’re a beginner, like me, and do not understand this language, don’t fret, you should start learning CFOP with 4LLL which is the Four-Look Last Layer, which is a less advanced, slower, and algorithm-reducing way to learn CFOP.
Speedcubing: Roux Method
The Roux method was invented by Gilles Roux, is considered to be one of the most efficient speedcubing methods. The average move count of the Roux method is 45 to 50 moves for an experienced solver. The first step of the Roux method is to form a 3X2X1 block which is generally positioned in the lower portion of the left layer. The next step is to create another 3X2X1 on the opposite side, now each block would share the same bottom color.
The remaining corners are solved by using a set of algorithms known as CMLL-Corners of the Last Layer, without regard to the M-slice. This leaves you with six edges and four centres which are solved in the last step, LSE- Last Six Edges. However, it has been criticized off late mainly because it requires the middle slices to solve the LSE, which makes it harder to achieve higher turns per second.
Speedcubing: ZZ Method
The Zbigniew Zborowski method, or commonly known as the ZZ method is a modern speedcubing method proposed by Zbigniew Zborowski in the year 2006. It was designed specifically to achieve high turning speed. It is a combination of a block-building method and a layer-by-layer method. The first pre-planned step is called EOLine which is the hallmark of the ZZ method. It is done by orienting all the edges while playing two oppositely placed down-face edges aligned with the corresponding colour of the centre.
Next, we solve the remaining first two layers using only left, right, top and bottom face turns. Now, the last layer’s edges are correctly oriented because of EOLine. The last layer can be solved by using an algorithm. The reason the ZZ method is not famous is that EOLine is difficult, which then hinders foresight and turns per second, this makes the ZZ method slower than CFOP.
Other Methods of Solving Rubik’s Cube
Corner-first methods were one of the most popular methods which were employed by Minh Thai, world champion of 1982. The method involves solving the edges with slice turns. This method is rarely used today by speedcubers.
Fewest moves challenge can employ any technique they like, like block-building, Normal-Inverse-Scramble-Swap, commutator insertions, and Domino Reduction. Most of the cubers utilize multiple of these methods to solve the cube.
Lastly, the method used when blindfolded is 3OP- 3 Cycle Orientation Permutation, it orients and then permutes pieces using 3 cycles. Today, 3-Style and M2 are the most popular and the fastest blind solving techniques. Now, I’m sure you’re wondering how anyone could solve the cube blindfolded. Well, they use letter patterns to help them memorize the sequences of moves to solve the cube.
The Rubik’s Cube World Championship is the main international competition once in two years. The latest championship was held in Australia in the year 2019. The most surprising fact is that no Indian has ever won the championship. You have the opportunity to be the first-ever Indian to win the championship. What are you waiting for? Go, speed cube, the country awaits its international title.
Top 10 Benefits of Solving Rubik’s Cube for kids.
Increased Focus.
Rubik’s Cube undoubtedly increases the level of focus and concentration of an individual because of the high levels of alertness it requires.
Excellent memory.
Playing Rubik’s cube provides the player with a great memory. It is actually a gift for the player from the game’s side.
The player of Rubik’s Cube basically gains maximum efficiency within the motor and memory systems.
Imbibes patience.
Rubik’s cube or Speedcubing is not some game which can be done in one go. This game however, requires one individual to be highly patient and be very smart with his moves.
Rubik’s cube need a lot of perseverance. There may be times when solving the Rubik’s cube can take hours to get solved. At such times the individual has to work on various strategies to get the work done. Hence, it is truly a game of lots and lots of oatience
Betterment in the problem solving skills.
Do you have any idea that the very foundation of the skill of Rubik’s cube is to break down one big problem into many tiny parts or chunks and then later on focus on each of them separately and precisely with much more concentration.
There is no doubt that Rubik’s cube helps one to better its overall problem solving skills.
Alert mind.
Rubik’s cube is a game which continuously make your mind work. Your brain has to be very much active on the fact that which move can get you the victory. Hence, it actually makes your mind more alert than previous times.
Agile fingers.
Rubik’s cube can do wonders to your fingers by helping them gain agility. Do you know that if your fingers are agile then it can actuallt benefit you in many ways. Such as, typing faster or doing better coding on your laptop or computer. A Rubik’s Cube will certainly help your fingers to be in shape, help them to be sharper, and also be strongly coordinated with your mind.
Awesome speed.
Once you start playing Rubik’s cube you gradually realise that it is very much about speed. The faster you solve the cube the higher are your chances of improvement and winning. Your original speed increases because of these awesome exercise.
Keeps the brain engaged.
Rubik’s cube is a game which involves very high level of focus and concentration. Which eventually means that you have to keep your brain engaged in it for prolonged period of times. This habit will help your brain to be engaged very well in other tasks of life too because it will simply become a habit therein.
Excellent hobby.
Rubik’s cube is very very good as a hobby. It is considered to be the best use of your time if you put your time in learning and playing Rubik’s cube. It has unimaginable advantages. Speedcubing could benefit you in many unthinkable ways.
Introduces Discipline.
Indulging a kid into any sort of sport of game which require the child to use his brain and keeps him focused would eventually result in inculcating discipline into the child.
Once, you will introduce the kid to Rubik’s cube slowly you will start noticing the changes in disciplinary matters and behaviour of the child.
Popular Speedcubers around the world.
Now that we know a lot about Speedcubing. It is high time that we must also know about few people who are very popular in the domain of Speedcubing. Below is a detailed list of those people.
Mats Valk
Mats valk is a famous dutch speedcuber. He was born on 4th may 1996. Mats valk is a student by occupation currently and is famously known for being a rubik’s cube Speedsolver. He represents Netherlands in the game.
Mats valk broke the Rubik’s cube single solve world record two times and he merely took a flash of seconds in doing the said task. For the first time it took him 5.55 seconds in the year 2013 and next time it took him 4.74 seconds in the year 2016.
Mats valk is truly a gem as he won the Rubik’s Cube European Championship in the year 2018. He was the runner-up for 3x3x3 at the Rubik’s Cube World Championships in the year 2013 and also in the year 2015. He proudly again won the European Championship in the year 2018.
Feliks Zemdegs
Feliks Aleksanders Zemdegs is a very famous Australian Rubik’s Cube Speedsolver. He was born on 20 December 1995.
Feliks Aleksanders Zemdegs is the only speedcuber till date who has ever won the World Cube Association World Championship for two times. He won the said championships firstly in 2013 and then again in 2015. Not only his, he has also set more than hundred world records across many speedcubing events in the world.
Feliks Aleksanders Zemdegs is truly considered as the greatest speedsolver of all time. He is also known by his other name, Faz.
Collin Burns
Collin Burns is a prominent speedcuber from the United States. He has formerly held the world record for solving a tough Rubik’s cube within a matter of just 5.25 seconds. Not very much information is available about him on the web.
Gilles Roux
Gilles Roux is a popular french Speedcuber. Roux was born on January 20, 1971. He isprimarily known for inventing a 3x3x3 Rubik’s cube method known as the Roux Method. Also, he himself had achieved fastest times with it.
His method has more potential than the conventional CFOP method as it has the potential to become faster. The Roux method eventually has a much lower move count and is rotation less. You may initially turn slower with Roux and can get the same or better times than with CFOP.
Jessica Fridrich
Jessica Fridrich is a professor at the university of Binghamton. She is originally an expert in data hiding applications in digital imagery. Also, she is said to be as one of the pioneers of Speedcubing.
Fridrich has documented and popularized the CFOP method.
This is very proud thing that almost all of the speedcubers who are said to be the fastest have based their methods on Jessica Fridrich’s method which is usually referred to as CFOP.
Ron van Bruchem
Ron van Bruchem is a very well known dutch Speedcuber and he resides in Almere. Bruchem assisted to create the current resurge of Rubik’s Cube craze because he founded the international speedcubing community.
Also, he organises several international competitions. Not only this, he is also the founder, delegate and former chairman of the World Cube Association which is an organization aiming to spread the speedcubing as a sport which is regulated worldwide.
Also, he hosts the website called speedcubing.com.
Krishnam Raju Gadiraju
Krishnam Raju Gadiraju is an Indian Speedcuber and known Unicyclist. Gadiraju has held world record for six times. Also, he is the first Indian to hold a world record for the first time in speedcubing and unicycling.
It was on nineteen October two thousand fourteen when Krishnam Raju Gadiraju solved 2,176 rubik’s cubes with only one hand in twenty four hours and with this he entered his name into the Guinness World Records.
Moreover, Krishnam Raju Gadiraju also registered his name in the prestigious Limca Book of Records. He also owns the title Arena Candidate Master.
Tymon Kolasiński.
Tymon Kolasiński is a very famous Polish Speedcuber. He was the winner of the two thousand nineteen WCA Pyraminx World Championship. Moreover, he also holds the Pyraminx World Record. Kolasinski did so with time taken of only 1.86 seconds.
Tymon holds numerous records and awards in his bucket list. He is a student by profession.
Bhargav Narasimhan
Bhargav Narasimhan was born in Chennai. He is a well known professional in the medical field and has earned good name in it already.
Moreover, he recieved even more fame for registering his name in the Guinness Book of World Records. He got so for managing to take the fastest time to solve five 3×3 Cubes with being just one-handed at a very less time of one minute and twenty three seconds only.
Not just this, Bhargav also formerly has held the Asian record for the 3×3 one-handed single with a solve of 9.52 seconds. He had maintained many other National records.
Also, Bhargav was the first Indian to be ranked amongst the top hundred in many of these WCA events. Bhargav Narsimhan is truly the definition of unstoppable.
Aryan chhabra
Aryan Chhabra is a high school students. He resides in New Delhi. Aryan Chhabra is a world-class 3*3 rubik’s cube solver. He has attempted an official average of a mere of 7.29 seconds.
Aryan was declared as the fastest solver in India two year back in time. He did so with a solve of a minimum of 4.91 seconds ! Aryan Chhabra also has gained many national championship titles for himself.
Moreover, Chhabra has also been a very big, respected and Important part of the Indian cubing community.
Not just all this, Aryan Chhabra also reached to he finals of the Asian Championship 2018. This championship was held in Taiwan. Here, he got chance to compete against the top-level Speedcubers of all time.
Parting words.
We hope you enjoyed reading about Speedcubing and the numerous facts associated to it. We hope to see you again for reading more such interesting blogs on podium school blogs. Till then, happy reading.
Frequently asked questions?
1- How is Speedcubing as a hobby?
Speedcubing can be a very fantastic hobby for you to opt for. It is really one of those hobbies which will encourage your personal growth and will help you utilise your spare time very efficiently. Overall, Speedcubing is considered to be an excellent hobby to invest your time in.
2- Will Speedcubing help me in sharpening my brain?
Yes, Rubik’s cube definately sharpens your brain. Infact, it improves the cognitive functionalities of your mind and helps your mind to grow. Also, it enhances your motor skills which in turn enhances your neuro phsychological capabilities.
3- How can I began learning Speedcubing?
If you want to start with Speedcubing then get yourself a good Rubik’s cube first. Later on you can take help of many online sources which will guide you as a beginner. Later on you can actually take help of books in the market and also many people teach Rubik’s cube offline.
4- What is the age of Feliks?
Feliks is twenty five years old. He was born on Twenty December 1995.
5- Does a Rubik’s Cube increase your IQ?
Yes, one of the many advantages of a Rubik’s cube are that it eventually increases the level of IQ in a person. This is proven by many studies that kids who get involved in playing Rubik’s cube are likely to be more sharper than those kids who doesn’t play Rubik’s cube.
6-How do Speedcubers worldwide are able to solve very fast?
Well the basic idea is that whenever you are willing to master any task, you have to practice it a lot. Speedcubing also requires a lot of practice and focus. Speedcubers around the world invest so much of time in it and they do the same with very much focus and concentration. Their Hardwork and continuous practice fetches them success and good results.
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