Record-breaking speedcuber Patrick Ponce discusses the trick to solving the cube
This weekend, BIG things are happening at Liberty Science Center: It’s Big Beyond Rubik’s Cube Weekend! From Nov. 5-8, our building is filled with special adventures and challenges to celebrate the return of our Beyond Rubik’s Cube exhibition.
Before this weekend, we caught up with 18-year-old Perth Amboy resident Patrick Ponce – one of the world’s fastest speedcubers, and current 3x3 World Cube Association U.S. National Champion – to discuss his career, his tricks to solving the cube, and what he hopes for the future.
Liberty Science Center: You’re one of the fastest and most talented speedcubers in the world. But is there any skill that you still want to work on?
Patrick Ponce: I still learn a lot. There are a lot of different algorithms that you can learn – there are a ton of them – and I don’t know all of them, so I try to learn a couple every year to get a little bit better.
LSC: What has been the most exciting moment of your career so far?
PP: Definitely when I set the Rubik’s Cube World Record three years ago. It was just a really exciting moment. I never thought I’d be able to do it, and I was able to pull it off.
LSC: You’ve been to LSC multiple times for competitions, but have you been here as just a regular visitor?
PP: Yeah, my school used to organize trips to LSC. I like the animals exhibit.
I’ve also been to Beyond Rubik’s Cube in 2014 [when it first opened at LSC]. It’s really nice – I love the layout and I like how everything’s set up!
LSC: What advice do you have for aspiring speedcubers, or really anyone who just wants to solve the Rubik’s Cube puzzle?
PP: Just enjoy it! Have fun with it. Don’t feel pressure to excessively practice, because just as long as you enjoy it, you’ll progress the most.
Join us for the fun Nov. 5-8 during Big Beyond Rubik’s Cube Weekend! Click here to learn more and get tickets.
