Need for ‘speedcubing’

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The former world record Rubik’s Cube solver, Australian Feliks Zemdegs, has inspired individuals to attain  lightning-fast fingers. His influence reached Brandon Llewellyn, who is now president of the BYU Rubik’s Cube Speedsolving Club.

Llewelyn began solving Rubik’s Cubes while living in Montana. “It might be pretty typical. I guess a lot of people can probably say the same. I actually learned how to solve a Rubik’s cube on my mission,” he said.

Llewellyn pursued his passion for speedsolving upon returning home. Zemdegs’ YouTube videos showed Llewellyn how to go from knowing nothing to becoming one of the world’s best in a few short years.

Llewellyn watched speedcubing world record attempts on YouTube and realized he had discovered a real talent. He took his talent all the way to Las Vegas for the World Rubik’s Cube Championship in 2013, after just three years of studying techniques. With a round-by-round elimination platform, Llewellyn’s performance landed him in the top 50th percentile.

He now teaches people of all levels, but he’s not done competing. “As soon as another one is close enough to go to I will go back,” he said.

Eric Schwaar, a member of the speedsolving club, said he attends the club not only to be with friends but also to learn and improve. “I go to meet new people with similar interests … I like learning new methods, and the competition makes it fun and motivating,” Schwaar said.

Llewellyn encouraged all people, especially beginners, to give speedsolving a whirl; people of various abilities and experiences attend the club. The club meets in WSC 3237 every Tuesday at 7 p.m.

“People are like, you are a freak of nature being able to solve that thing so fast, but this isn’t about being smart. It’s about practice. Anybody can solve a Rubik’s cube,” Llewellyn said.

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