The Multi-Blind Cube: A Journey into the Memory Palace

Hello, fellow cubers! You've likely seen the incredible sight of a competitor solving a Rubik's Cube blindfolded. It's an amazing display of skill. But what if I told you there's an event that takes that challenge to an entirely different level? This is the world of 3x3x3 Multi-Blind (MBLD), and it's widely considered one of the most impressive events sanctioned by the World Cube Association (WCA).

Unlike a regular blindfolded solve where you focus on a single cube, in Multi-Blind, a competitor attempts to solve as many cubes as possible after just one memorization period. It's a true test of mental endurance and memory capacity, pushing the limits of what the human mind can achieve.

The Rules of the Game: Accuracy is Everything

In an official Multi-Blind event, the rules are simple but unforgiving. First, the competitor decides how many cubes they want to attempt. Then, they are given a total time limit of 10 minutes per cube, with a maximum of 60 minutes overall.

What makes MBLD unique is the scoring system, which rewards accuracy over sheer quantity. The final score is calculated as:

For example, if a competitor attempts 10 cubes but only solves 7, their score is 4 points (7 - 3). This ranks lower than someone who solves a perfect 4 out of 4 in less time. In other words, one mistake can drastically affect the outcome, making precision more valuable than ambition.

The Secret Weapon: The Memory Palace

So, how do competitors memorize dozens of cubes in a single attempt?
An average 3x3 blindfolded solve requires memorizing about 20 letters. In Multi-Blind, this number skyrockets, often reaching into the hundreds.

The key technique used by elite competitors is the Method of Loci, also known as the Memory Palace. This ancient mnemonic system involves visualizing a familiar location, like your house, and mentally placing information along a path through its rooms.

Each piece of cube information (letter pairs) becomes an image or story that is "stored" in a specific spot in the memory palace. Later, the solver mentally walks through the palace, retrieving each detail in order.

For example:

  • Sequence: QU BN SA
  • Visualization: a Quartz crystal, a BeaN, and Santa Claus placed on your bedroom bed.
Visualization of memory palace method
Competitors transform letters into vivid images and place them along a mental journey.

This method moves data from short-term memory to long-term storage, which is crucial when you cannot execute right after memorizing.

The Execution: Order Matters

In standard 3BLD solves, cubers usually memorize corners first, then edges, and execute the edges early to keep them fresh in memory.

But in Multi-Blind, everything must be memorized before execution begins. This changes the approach drastically:

  • Memorize all edges for all cubes.
  • Memorize all corners for all cubes.
  • Only then, start executing solves blindfolded.

This system requires not just memory but also mental organization and discipline to avoid confusion across multiple cubes.

Competitor solving multiple cubes blindfolded
A competitor mid-execution in a Multi-Blind attempt.

Conclusion: The Pinnacle of Blindfolded Cubing

Multi-Blind is often regarded as the ultimate test in blindfold cubing. It combines technical skill, flawless execution, and advanced memorization strategies. Unlike speedsolving, where reflexes dominate, Multi-Blind highlights the intellectual and psychological side of cubing.

It’s not just about solving without sight—it’s about managing massive information loads, staying calm under pressure, and proving the extraordinary capabilities of human memory.

For many cubers, tackling Multi-Blind is not just about results, but about embracing the challenge of pushing both the cube and the mind to their absolute limits.

Published on 2025-08-18