Pastimes: Astrophysicist says Rubik's Cubes are easy (2024)

NEW YORK, Nov 8 (Reuters Life!) - You don’t need a degree in astrophysics to solve the Rubik’s Cube -- but it helps.

Tyson Mao, 22, is among a new generation of competitive solvers of the Rubik’s Cube, a plastic puzzle made up of small, coloured cubes which players twist in various directions until each side of the cube is a solid colour.

This weekend he will try to regain the title of world blindfold Rubik’s Cube champion, a title he lost last year to his friend Leeann Loo who beat his time of one minute 58 seconds by 30 seconds.

“With some hard work I can probably make it. It is within reach,” Mao told Reuters.

Mao took up playing with Rubik’s Cubes about three years ago, introduced to the puzzle by his younger brother Toby who currently holds the world record for solving the Rubik’s Cube -- 10.48 seconds.

The Amos, who were recently hired to teach actor Will Smith how to “speed-cube” for the upcoming film “The Pursuit of Happiness,” are among a new breed of players.

The Rubik’s Cube first became popular after the toy was released in 1980, with up to 300 million Rubik’s Cubes sold globally but quickly dropped of gift lists.

However the puzzle re-emerged again in 2003 when some keen players held the first world championships in about 20 years in Toronto in Canada.

Mao, who graduated from the California Institute of Technology this year with a BS in astrophysics, said the appeal of the Rubik’s Cube was that anyone could solve it.

“So many people in the world look at the Rubik’s Cube and see it as something nerdy or only for geniuses,” said Mao, who is based in San Francisco.

“But you don’t have to be the smartest person in the world to solve the Rubik’s Cube. It is something you can work at and succeed at.”

Mao said the appeal of the puzzle for him was that it does not take long to master and it is all about perseverance and determination.

Taking up the Rubik’s Cube has had quite an impact on Mao who, in 2004, helped form the World Cube Association, the organisation that holds competitive events for the cube.

He met Will Smith “who was really nice and learnt the Rubik’s Cube very quickly.”

The movie, “The Pursuit of Happiness”, which is due out next month, is based on the rags-to-riches story of stockbroker Chris Gardner with the cube a metaphor for the persistence he needs to overcome challenges and achieve his dreams.

Mao was also chosen to star earlier this year in the reality television show “Beauty and the Geek.”

“That was also a lot of fun,” said Mao, who is now working for a constancy firm.