Speedcubing
Maybe you've already heard about the term "speedcubing". You might even know what it means. You
possibly know someone who is dedicated to this activity. Maybe you speedcube as well. And perhaps you don't.
On this page you will find:
- what is speedcubing?
- what is speedcubing about?
- speedcubing - don't give up!
What is speedcubing?
Speedcubing, sometimes also referred to as speedsolving, is an activity in which we are trying to solve the Rubik's cube or other puzzles as fast as possible. A speedcuber is called a person who performs speedcubing.
The term speedsolving is generally understood as a solving of a puzzle (e.g. the Rubik's clock, Skewb etc.) as quickly as possible. Analogically, the term speedcubing should indicate a solving of a cube (e.g. the 2x2x2, 3x3x3 Rubik's cube etc.). However, certain problem could arise at solving of rectangular-shaped puzzles (or even Square-1, i.e. first irregular shape, then a cube) - would it be considered as a speedsolving or rather speedcubing? Since it is strictly determined nowhere, speedsolving is often paradoxically seen as a subset of the term speedcubing. While you barely encounter the term "speedsolver", the term "speedcuber" is widely used.
Speedcubing is highly addictive activity, which could be certainly acknowledged by all speedcubers. Some even claim that speedcubing is a sport. Personally, I don't think so. Nevertheless, if I compare that statement with a proposition that even poker is a sport, then I am not surprised any longer.
Note that the speedcubing definition tells nothing about a time. Therefore, when trying to solve the puzzle (it is usually a Rubik's cube) as fast as possible, by a speedcuber can surely be called anyone who solves the cube in 10 seconds, as well as anyone who needs one, two, five or 20 minutes for it. In order to become a speedsolver, you need a few things. Appropriate speedcube belongs among the most basic ones.
If you decide to take speedcubing seriously, "train" and truly "practice", maybe you will become (Czech) outstanding speedcuber. Inspirational footage about you can be even made.
What is speedcubing about?
It's tempting to say about a solving of puzzles as quickly as possible. That's correct, however, only partially - speedcubing is much more. It's about connecting of people with the same interest, creating of communities - tens or thousands of people mutually enjoying themselves, communicating, having a good time together. Speedcubing is primarily about having fun, making new friends and meeting new places. Last but not least, it's about sharing of ideas - from a publication of new or modified solving methods to the design proposals of new puzzles.
In the area of speedcubing nobody cares whether you solve the cube in twenty seconds or 10 minutes. Nobody cares about the color of your skin or religious faith. Speedcubing isn't even taking into account your age - it can be started as a child, but also after turning sixty.
It is possible to say that an official competition in which you can participate takes place every week somewhere in the world. I surely wouldn't describe better how such competition is going than it is presented in the video.
Just as in every other human activity, even in speedcubing there are occasionally fail-moments. For example the cases in which we are trying to solve the cube, but aren't managing it at all.
Well, each of us has a bad day sometimes. By the way, this "clumsy guy" is a former multiple world record holder.
Speedcubing - don't give up!
Stefan Pochmann used to be one of the best world speedcubers in 2004 - he had been breaking world records all the time. In 2010 (possibly, I don't remember exactly) he sighed about where are those times when the world record could be broken practically by anyone.
Nowadays it is not easy at all to break the world record in some of the competition events. It is nearly impossible to be done by someone who doesn't practice enough and takes a speedcubing only as a marginal hobby. Top positions in the world ranking are occupied by guys who are hard "working".
On the other hand, they all had to start somewhere and every beginning is difficult. A lot of people could tell us about it. I have chosen one typical video.
Believe it or not, this fellow has been self-taping in the same year in which he officially solved (while blindfolded) all his 11 scrambled cubes. He did it in less than 56 minutes.
In the Czech Republic it is being said: no bees no honey, no work no money. In America it is being said: no pain, no gain. Either way, do not give up! After all, we must learn to walk before we can run.
The authors of videos used on this page are Ivan Makachev, Erik Akkersdijk and Wicaksono Adi.