Aryan sets national record in cube

Tribune News Service

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Ludhiana, November 11

Aryan Chhabra, a 16-year-old, hailing from New Delhi, set a new national-level record in International Cube Competition by solving 3x3 cube in just 7.29 seconds. The earlier record was 7.43 seconds.

This is the first ever cube competition being held in Ludhiana by the World Cube Association (WCA). Around 85 students from Punjab, Delhi, Chandigarh and Gujarat participated in the event organised at BCM Arya Model School, Shastri Nagar.

Aakash Rubela from the WCA said, “This sport is attracting players from around the world. Last year, the association organised cube contests in around 100 countries, including Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.”

Based on different types of cubes, around 18 different types of competitions were organised at different venues. On Sunday, five competition events, including 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, scube and pyramid cube were held. The contests, including blindfolded unscrambling of cubes, and solving cubes with feet were also organised.

“The sport is gaining popularity very quickly. The cube was first invented in 1970’s for architecture students for better 3D visualisation, but it is said that solving cubes helps in improving spacial visualisation, improving hand-eye coordination and sharper thinking,” said Rubela.

Dhruv Arora of Jalandhar can unscramble the puzzle with his feet and at the moment he is the fourth fastest in the country to do so.

The interesting part about these competitions is that there is no age bar, so a toddler can compete against a grown-up, he said.

Aryan said, “I got into this sport around three years ago. It helps me in understanding geometrical problems and enhancing confidence. When I started, I used to solve the puzzle in around 10 minutes. It has taken daily practice of an hour to bring it down to 7.29 seconds.”