Everyone, at one point, has taken a crack at the Rubik’s cube. This is an entertaining toy that many love and is an absolute icon of the 80s. It challenges your intelligence and unleashes the inner playfulness. But did you know that Rubik’s cubes are no longer just fun toys to buy for kids? A whole sport has been built around this device that has received much interest. Recently, Max Park was crowned as the champion at the Rubik’s World Cup sponsored by Red Bull.
Max Park: Rubik’s Cubing Champion
Max Park is a Rubik’s cube speed solver from America. He was born in 2001 in California. The story of this young champion is quite inspiring. Max was diagnosed with autism when he was only two years old. Doctors informed his parents that he would not develop the necessary skills to live independently. This meant he would need assistance for the rest of his life. One of the factors that Max struggled with early on was motor skills. So to help him with this, he took up Rubik’s cubes.
Unlike other kids who play with this toy for fun, in Max’s case it was more than that. As fate would have it, Max excelled on the Rubik’s cube. He won many titles from as early on as ten. Today, he is now the champion of the world and has a net worth of over $1million. So, what is Rubik’s cubing and why do so many people love it?
History of the Rubik’s Cube
Erno Rubik created the Rubik’s cube in 1974. This game quickly became popular the world over. The Rubik’s cube won the Game of the Year in Germany in 1980. Many consider it to be the most bought toy in the world, with more than 350 million sales. The big craze for this puzzle game started as early as 1980. While interest had waned of late, the Rubik’s cube has made a resurgence.
It seems that the mythocube is again in vogue among the younger generations, to the point that gambling operators are also interested in competitions in this regard, always ready to ride the wave of new phenomena. As can be seen for eSports which are now listed in the event schedules of betting sites such as www.bet.xyz and are among the most popular new disciplines.
It is not hard to see why many players like this game. Retailers noted a spike in sales in the early 2000s. Many people were reigniting their love for the cube. This subsequently saw the holding of the 2003 Rubik’s Cube Championship Games. This was the first time such a competition was being held since 1982. The World Cube Association, set up in 2004, is in charge of seeing the progression of this hobby into a sport.
Rubik’s Cube Competition
The best Rubik’s cube players participate in speedsolving tournaments. They come from all over the world and challenge each other on who can complete the puzzle fastest. The first meeting of such a kind happened in 1981 and was organised by The Guinness Book of World Records. This led to a fully sanctioned tournament in 1982.
Selecting a winner in Rubik’s tournaments is not a straightforward task. In the tournament, players make five attempts to solve the puzzle. The time considered is then calculated as an average of the three middle attempts. The association also records record-breaking attempts.
There are many types of contests in a Rubik’s cube tournament. Competing in the normal time trial is just one form of the game. You will also find players competing to solve the Rubik’s cube with one hand and blindfolded. There is even a Rubik’s event where players use their feet.
Learning the Rubik’s Cube
The Rubik’s cube is a great pastime that can have massive rewards, as we have seen with Max Park. So, you wouldn’t be looked at funny if you invested some time into learning how to solve it. There are a few ways you can do this. The first step is to realise that you need to make as few moves as possible. This will ensure that you complete the puzzle quicker.
Rubik’s algorithms are also a fantastic way to up your game. These will help you view the puzzle in a new light. Many apps and websites are also available to help you on your way. But a word of caution. Select one method and stick to it until you master it.
Since the 1980s, the Rubik’s cube has always brought joy to many players. The recent interest in this puzzle game has seen the rise of players like Max Park. It is plain to see that this game is on the rise. Long live the cube!
Duncan
Dec 2, 2020 -
An 80s icon.
I could only do it by following step by step instructions in a book I bought.
After our last day at college in 1983 we got no sleep at all because a friend decided he was going to solve a Rubik’s cube.
Of course the true Rubik’s Cube champions these days are made out of Lego
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTq2V1aPAp8