Chinese champ Zhihao Li once again broke the record for the fastest time to solve three rotating puzzle cubes while juggling. City-based Rubik’s cube experts share tricks and hacks to ace this skill
Representation Pic
Hear it from a mother
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If you want your children to pick up the skill, make sure you know how to do it, too. I struggled through my entire childhood to solve the cubes. So when I bought it for my children, I didn’t want to simply hand it to them. I took three days to learn the cube through YouTube videos. Seeing me so engrossed in the activity piqued my children’s interest. They picked the same up within a day. You cannot just hand the cube to a child and expect them to learn it by themselves. They might turn away from it. Pick up the skill, and learn a few things with them. Now, while I take a little over two minutes to solve it [3x3 cube], my children, Annie and Ethan, can do the same in just over a minute. They can solve at least seven types of cubes, and even make mosaic portraits using these cubes.
Zhihao Li (right) broke his own record of solving three cubes while juggling them in three minutes 16 seconds, 13 seconds faster than the previous record. Pic courtesy/YouTube
One step at a time
This is a different era. There is a plethora of content and tutorials that you can access online for free to learn. Begin with a 3x3 cube, and learn it step by step, layer by layer. A friendly tip — remember that yellow and white always face the opposite sides once the cube is solved. Start by solving those sides, while constantly checking the centre, edge and corner. Once you’ve aced this, you can move to a 4x4. Here, unlike 3x3 that has a set centre, you create a centre by yourself.
Ethan and Annie Singh pose with their mosaic of Ernö Rubik made of Rubik’s cubes
Age is just a number
Currently, children as old as three years are also solving the cube. Anybody at any age can take this up, especially if they like solving puzzles. Rubik’s cube is just like coding; it teaches you problem solving skills. Usually, for other skillful activities, we utilise a single hand. Research shows that activities like Rubik cube’s and abacus, which require the use of both hands equally, also put to work the left and right sides of your brain simultaneously. This is a very good exercise for brain development. You also require a lot of patience and the ability to remain calm and concentrated. Even when the algorithms scare you, do not give up. The key lies in practice. Trust me, every time you are able to solve a cube, the feeling is unmatched.
Zeenie Singh, freelance social media marketer
A teacher’s guide
I use children-friendly methods to teach. For me, it’s not just about cubing. I form a special bond with each of my superstars while brainstorming on cubes. My focus is to keep them away from gadgets as much as I can. So, the children make mistakes, learn and grow together. Initially it’s simple algorithms but with practice, it will become a skill that helps you solve it smoothly and with ease. It’s best suitable for children aged five years to 14 years. Their academic load is lighter, so the stress of study does not interfere in the learning process.
Minella Gracious teaches children how to solve the cube
Kids are very intelligent these days. If they can be introduced to the cube early, they can start as early as when they’re five-years-old. While it helps kids improve logical reasoning, concentration and patience, and sharpens their minds; it also works wonders on adults by keeping their brain active and alert. The 3x3 is a must-have. It holds the secret to solving all other cubes. One can go from 3x3, to mirror, megaminx, 4x4 and finally, 5x5.
Minnella Gracious, founder of Minella’s Superstars (Rubik’s cube teaching classes)
Solve and learn
1 The Speed Cubers is a documentary that follows the life of speedcubing champions Max Park and Feliks Zemdegs. It touches upon friendship, rivalry, competition and the mad world of the Rubik’s cube championships.
Log on to: Netflix
2 This is a preferred platform by professionals to keep track of their Rubik’s cube time records over the years. It also suggests various scrambling alternatives, if you’re up for the challenge
Log on to: cstimer.net
3 If there’s one problem with non-Indian expert teachers, it is that they sometimes run through their explanations so fast that the viewers are lost between algorithms and vocabulary. If that’s your concern, too, head to Kapil Bhatt’s easy-to-understand, short and slow, recorded tutorials. He covers both beginner-friendly and advanced levels.
Log on to: YouTube
4 Looking for a community of like-minded crazy-for-cubes people? Become a part of these associations that often host events, competitions and meet-ups.
Log on to: @indiancubeassociation; @juniorcubeassociation
5 Cubers are always up to something — be it breaking time records or creating unbelievable mosaic cube portraits. Stay updated with stories from across the world of cube champions that will blow your mind by following this official account
Log on to: @rubiks_official
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