Is solving Rubik’s Cube in 2 minutes good?
Absolutely! A 2 minute solve time for the classic 3×3 Rubik’s Cube demonstrates advanced skill worthy of respect from casual cubers and competitive speedsolvers alike. Sustaining an average under 2 minutes requires deep understanding of high-level solving concepts.
As a lifelong puzzle fanatic covering the latest in gaming news and speedcubing records, I consider sub-2 minute times a strong barometer of talent. While 2 minutes may seem slow compared to the best speedcubers topping world records, have perspective…
According to the World Cube Association, only the top 0.005% of competitive cubers in the world currently average under 10 seconds in solves. So for us mortal hobbyists, a sub-2 minute average is an admirable feat on the journey toward elite cubing mastery!
Breaking Down Cubing Skill by Solve Times
To appreciate a sub-2 minute solver, it helps to understand common benchmarks for cubing skill levels based on average solve times. Here is a general overview:
| Skill Level | Average Solve Time |
|---|---|
| Beginner | > 60 seconds |
| Intermediate | 30-60 seconds |
| Advanced | < 30 seconds |
| Elite | < 10 seconds |
As you can see, anyone hitting sub-30 times consistently has reached an advanced level, but cubers posting 2 minute averages are still firmly intermediate level.
Only a small fraction of hobbyist solvers ascending to sub-2 minutes ultimately crack the “elite” threshold below 10 seconds. So I applaud any cuber strong enough to conquer the 2 minute marker!
The Methods Behind Sub-2 Solves
To start approaching advanced times under 2 minutes, familiarity with beginner methods like layer-by-layer is not enough. You need fluency in more complex solving concepts and algorithms…
Advanced Methods Required
- CFOP – Intuitive F2L pairs with last-layer algorithms
- Roux – Block building requiring foresight
- ZZ – Efficient line construction with algorithm tricks
Mastering an advanced method is challenging. For example the wildly popular CFOP (Cross, F2L, OLL, PLL) method has algorithms numbering in the hundreds!
But investing the time to learn concepts like F2L intuition pays off greatly in solve efficiency. Shaving off an extra few seconds to consistently average sub-2 is a badge of honor among cubers.
Perspective from Champion Speedcubers
While hobbyists celebrate breaking 2 minutes, we must also respect exactly how insanely good the world’s best speedcubers are…
The current 3×3 single solve world record holder is Yusheng Du (China), with a lightning fast time of 3.47 seconds! Here is Du’s humble perspective on advancing in speedcubing:
“No matter how fast you are, there are always people faster than you. The only thing you can do is keep practicing. Understanding that helps you improve.” – Y. Du
So while nearly all cubers initially struggle to get under 2 minutes, we must appreciate that elites like Du live in another stratosphere entirely! For us mere mortals, assessing progress against personal bests is often more constructive than directly comparing with champion outliers.
Takeaway: Sub-2 Times Demonstrate Real Skill
If you are anything like me, chasing puzzle mastery itself is rewarding enough without worrying about global rankings. And make no mistake – consistent Rubik’s Cube solve times under 2 minutes reflect advanced capabilities.
Approaching sub-2 times demands practicing complex techniques like CFOP and intuiting algorithm patterns. Such sub-2 solvers deserve legitimate praise in the cubing community. Hobbyist and competitor alike know the commitment this landmark time requires.
So keep pursuing puzzle perfection at your own pace! Whether you crave the satisfaction of a personal record, or loftier dreams of elite speedcubing glory, let a sub-2 minute solve be a milestone to be proud of on your journey.
