The Kings of Blindfolded Cubing: A Look at the World's Fastest Solvers
Hey there, puzzle fans! Have you ever tried to solve a Rubik's Cube with your eyes closed? It's a daunting task that requires a special blend of memory, focus, and skill. But for the world's elite speedcubers, it's a competitive arena where new limits are being set all the time. The World Cube Association (WCA) recognizes and tracks official records for a variety of blindfolded events, where the timer runs for both the memorization and the execution phases.
These records aren't just about fast hands; they're a testament to incredible mental fortitude and deep understanding of the puzzle. Let's take a look at the current kings of this amazing discipline, from the classic 3×3 to the monumental Multi-Blind.
The Iconic 3×3: A Blistering Pace
The 3×3 blindfolded event is the most famous of all blindfolded events, and its record time is truly mind-boggling. The current world record for a single solve is 12.00 seconds, set by American cuber Tommy Cherry at Triton Tricubealon 2024 :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.
Tommy Cherry also holds the world record for the mean of three solves, at 14.05 seconds :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
---The Leap to Big Cubes: The Stanley Chapel Era
Moving from the 3×3 to larger cubes introduces unique challenges like parity and lack of fixed centers. Yet one solver has dominated them all: Stanley Chapel.
- For the 4×4 blindfolded, he holds the single-solve record of 51.96 seconds :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
- In the 5×5 blindfolded, he holds the single-solve record of 2:02.28, with a mean-of-three of 2:27.63 :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
His mastery proves that blindfolded solving excellence can scale across puzzle sizes with consistency and precision.
Multi-Blind: The Ultimate Test of Mental Stamina
If solving one cube blindfolded is hard, imagine tackling dozens after only one memorization period. In 3×3×3 Multi-Blind (MBLD), competitors commit to memorizing multiple cubes before solving them sequentially under strict time constraints.
The current world record for this marathon of memory is held by Rowe Hessler, who solved 63 out of 66 cubes in just 59 minutes and 50 seconds :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
---Summary of Current World Records
-
3×3 Blindfolded
Solver: Tommy Cherry
Record: 12.00 s -
4×4 Blindfolded
Solver: Stanley Chapel
Record: 51.96 s -
5×5 Blindfolded
Solver: Stanley Chapel
Record: 2:02.28 min -
Multi-Blind
Solver: Rowe Hessler
Record: 63/66 in 59 min 50 s
The world of blindfolded cubing is vibrant and ever-evolving, populated by individuals pushing the limits of what’s possible in both memory and execution. These record holders are powerful reminders that dedication, technique, and mental strength can conquer any cubing challenge.
Published on 2025-08-18