Blindfolded Rubik's Cube Solving: A Beginner's Guide to an 'Impossible' Feat

Of all the incredible feats in the world of speedcubing, perhaps none is more mystifying than blindfolded solving. The solver studies the cube, dons a blindfold, and then solves it from memory without a single glance. It looks like magic, but it's actually a systematic method combining memory and muscle memory. Here’s how it works.

Is It Really from Memory?

Yes, 100%. There are no tricks. The solver memorizes the location and orientation of every single piece on the scrambled cube and then executes a series of pre-planned algorithms to solve it. The entire solve is planned before the first turn is made.

The Core Concept: Solving One Piece at a Time

Unlike a normal solve where you see pieces solving in groups, a blindfolded solve moves one piece at a time into its correct position without disturbing the already-solved pieces. This is done using specific algorithms that swap only a few pieces while leaving the rest of the cube untouched.

The Two Main Phases: Memorization and Execution

Phase 1: Memorization

This is the most challenging part for beginners. Solvers don't memorize colors; they assign letters to each sticker on the cube. They then trace the path of the pieces, creating a sequence of letters to memorize.

For example, they might see that the piece that belongs in the 'A' position is currently in the 'G' position. The piece that belongs in 'G' is in 'P', and the piece in 'P' is in 'A'. This creates a cycle: A -> G -> P -> A. The solver just needs to memorize the letter sequence 'GP'.

To make these letter sequences memorable, solvers use a memory technique called a 'memory palace' or create words/images from the letters (e.g., 'GP' could become 'Go Pro'). They do this for all the corner pieces and all the edge pieces.

Phase 2: Execution

Once the letter sequences are memorized, the solver puts on the blindfold. They then execute a specific algorithm for each letter in their sequence. For example, they have one algorithm that sends a piece to the 'G' position, another for the 'P' position, and so on. They do this for all the edges, and then repeat the process for the corners.

Popular Blindfolded Methods

• Old Pochmann (Edges) and M2 (Corners): A popular and relatively simple method for beginners. It solves one edge and one corner at a time.
• 3-Style: A more advanced method where solvers use algorithms that affect three pieces at a time. It's faster but requires learning many more algorithms.

How to Get Started with Blindfolded Solving

1. Be a Confident Sighted Solver: You should be able to solve the cube consistently and understand how pieces move.
2. Learn Cube Notation Perfectly: You need to know your R, U, L, D, F, B moves without thinking.
3. Learn a Beginner's Blind Method: Start with Old Pochmann. There are many great tutorials online.
4. Practice Memorization: Start by memorizing just the corners. Then just the edges. Then both. Use letter pairs to create words or images.
5. Practice Execution: Drill your algorithms until they are pure muscle memory. You shouldn't have to think about the moves.

What It Feels Like

The first successful blindfolded solve is a magical experience. It's a profound demonstration of your own mind's power. It proves that with a system and dedication, you can achieve things that seem utterly impossible.

Conclusion

Blindfolded Rubik's Cube solving is the ultimate test of memory, focus, and dedication. It's a journey that pushes your cognitive abilities to their limits. While it requires significant practice, the method itself is systematic and achievable for any dedicated cuber. It's not magic; it's the beautiful result of a well-executed plan.