Q&A: Speed Cuber Feliks Zemdegs on breaking 100 world records, success mantras and more

43 quintillion. That’s the total number of possible configurations on the original 3×3×3 Rubik’s Cube. Actually, 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 (that’s 43 quintillion, 252 quadrillion, 3 trillion, 274 billion, 489 million, 856 thousand configurations).

Before you can count all the 17 numbers in the quintillion, Feliks Aleksanders Zemdegs would have solved the cube. Faster than anyone else in the world. Exactly 38 moves in 4.22 seconds. That’s how brisk Zemdegs is with Rubik’s in his hand. After all, he is the best Speed Cuber ever.

Having broken more than 100 world records, Zemdegs, 24, is the only two-time Rubik's Cube World Champion ever and holds the 3x3 world record average. A Sagittarius and Melbourne resident, Zemdegs (also known as Faz) currently uses Gan 356 XS cube as his hardware of choice for competitions. He laughs off his old love for the alto saxophone and his ability to juggle 4 balls and do some 3 ball tricks. He calls them ‘outdated’ and now lists golf and running as his favourite hobbies. He dropped out of his Mechanical Engineering degree course at the University of Melbourne and now works for the Australian Government in investments.

Just before the July 29 premiere of Netflix’s documentary The Speed Cubers featuring Zemdegs and Max Park, the 2017 Rubik's Cube World Champion, he talks of the beginnings of his Speed cubing journey, his methods, the tricks of being a super Speed cuber and his current life.

I first picked up a cube when I was 12 after watching Speed cubing videos on YouTube. The first time I solved it, it took me about 2-3 hours to finish it while watching a tutorial. Then, I certainly had no idea where my Rubik journey will take me.

I use the CFOP (Cross – F2L – OLL – PLL) method for solving the cube. Also known as the Fridrich method, this popular speed cubing method solves the cube layer by layer using algorithms in each step, not messing up the solved pieces. However, I also employ a variety of add-ons to the standard CFOP process which enable me to solve the cube in fewer moves.

Not much. Once you’ve practiced a considerable amount it all becomes subconscious. I do most of the thinking before the solve - plan my first 10-12 moves and find the best starting colour for the solve.

Patience, Practice, Memorisation, Pattern Recognition, Finger Dexterity, Creative Thinking, Spatial Awareness, and plenty of determination.

Speed cubing is not extremely difficult, anyone can learn how to solve it and anyone can learn Speed cubing techniques. There are several guides available on the internet.

Since I started, it has been the biggest part of my life. It has given me many opportunities to travel and compete around the world, make friends, and enjoy numerous other experiences, whether that’s appearing on TV shows or working with a cube manufacturer. It has also given me other opportunities throughout university and in a professional sense.

Absolutely - that hard work can be very rewarding and lead to great things. Nothing good comes easy.

You can learn Speed cubing on Feliks Zemdegs’ official website www.cubeskills.com. Basic access is free; Premium membership subscription is $7 per month.

Note: Netflix documentary The Speed Cubers featuring Feliks Zemdegs will premiere on July 29, 2020