Whether you have been a reader who has kept up with the recent speedcubing news, or are simply someone who vastly enjoys solving complex puzzles yourself, everyone who is involved with the cubing community understands the wonderful variety of puzzles that are often at their disposal. From the traditional 3×3 single solve, to solving the cube with one’s feet, there really is something for everyone when you consider just how vast of a phenomenon speedcubing has become over the past ten years. This toy turned competitive machine has evolved for many from the simple challenge of solving the cube, all the way to testing the limits of the human mind in how we are able to understand and react to patterns and algorithms. It’s truly fascinating to sit down, relax, and take in some of the top solvers working their magical talents at the end of a long school day online. For me, cubing represents humankind’s innovative efforts to grow and adapt as the leading species of intelligence and awareness. It’s not simply solving a box of plastic with stickers on it; it’s about the personal growth, challenge, and perseverance that makes this hobby such a remarkable feat every time it is put on display.

The main focus of this blog post is aimed at recapping a monumental accomplishment that occurred earlier this week in the realm of competitive speedsolving. But before we get into the meat of the story, I want to give you some context surrounding how the official side of cubing tends to function. Trained judges and referees play the role as hosts for each event that occurs around the world, and every single competitive solve is directly aggregated onto the Cubecomps online database. Recognized World Cubing Association (WCA) events hold totalitarian control over the judging of each solve, and verified events also possess the unrequited right to establish international records should they be achieved at any one event or competition. This past Saturday, these legislative rights became valuably necessary. The well-versed solver, Mark Boyanowski, became the new unequaled world record holder for the 3×3 Multi-blind event, where he successfully solved 43/44 cubes in a row from memory. Taking him only an hour to both memorize and solve 43 cubes, Boyanowski overcame what is arguably the most difficult event in all of the WCA to break a world record that had stood for over three years. This may not seem like a long time, but for reference, the old record, set by Marcin Kowalczyk of Poland with 41/41 cubes, stood as the longest single standing world record of any event in all of speedcubing. The video is truly amazing to watch, as the level of conscious memorizing utilized over that hour is some of the most intense concentration I have ever witnessed in my entire life.

If you aren’t in utter shock with your jaw on the floor, I don’t know what will impress you. The boy was responsible for creating forty-three distinct visual scans in his brain composing of just six color, recall perfectly the order in which he placed them, and hence appropriately solve each puzzle without the aid of his dominant sense. It’s inspiring, really, to see this level of mindfulness and problem solving from such a youthful boy. Actions like these are what shows the public the true power we all possess between our ears, the talent we underestimate every day of our lives.

I have linked the full hour-long video below for those who are interested, as well as a link to a Reddit forum post about some of the statistics behind just how remarkable a solve like this is. I hope everyone can appreciate the training that must have been put in to achieve a record like this, and know that each one of you is capable of achieving equally impressive results if you believe in your own abilities. Never let your mind or anyone else sway you from your ambitions, because the one day you may wish to finally give up may just be the day you disrupt the world into a pattern of success.

 

Full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_xmWMWeEMQ

Reddit Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/Cubers/comments/86w9f4/multiblind_wr_mark_boyanowski_4344/