Hi everyone, it’s that time of the year again where I do some reflecting, updating, and predicting.
To kick things off, a review of my predictions for 2019 which I posted a year ago on this blog!
- Max Park defends his US Titles for 3x3-7x7 and OH, as well as adds a US podium for megaminx.
- My first prediction (what I thought was the safest) didn’t quite come off – despite Max being absolutely dominant in the big cubes and OH, Patrick Ponce was able to win 3x3 at the US Nationals 2019, and Max came in third, showing that nobody is immune to nerves 100% of the time. Still, I’d say winning 5 world championship titles and breaking another 7 world records was a pretty spectacular year for Max!
- By the end of the year: 5 people will have sub 6 3x3 averages, 5 people will have sub 10 OH averages, and 5 people will have sub 20 3BLD means.
- For some context, this second prediction was made at a time when there were: 2 sub 6 averages, 2 sub 10 OH averages, and 0 sub 20 3BLD averages.
- The essence of the prediction was that people would continue to improve at cubing (duh), and these round number averages were similarly difficult barriers in the respective events. We ended up with just one new sub 6 average, and certainly not from someone anybody would have predicted at the start of the year. Sean Patrick Villanueva posted a 5.98 average in October, after bursting onto the scene earlier in the year at the Luzon Championship with 3 sub 7 averages, and then placing 2nd at the World Championships! Glad I was able to round out the 5 sub 10 OH averages before the year was over. The sub 20 BLD means certainly seemed to be the easiest barrier, with 7 people posting sub 20 means in 2019. (Actually, there remained zero sub 20 means until May, before the floodgates opened)
- The difference between 1st and 4th place at Worlds will be less than 0.2 seconds.
- The essence of this final prediction was that the World Championship 3x3 title would be incredibly close – and I just wanted to put some concrete numbers to it, but it was considerably closer than I would have ever anticipated. Thrilling stuff, just 0.11 seconds from 1st (Philipp Weyer, 6.74), all the way to 6th (Seung Hyuk Nahm, 6.85).
(Also for reference, one of my 2018 predictions – Sebastian getting a 4x4 WR single with parity - came true!)
For 2020, here’s an assortment of less structured predictions, some are a lot safer than others.
- Finally, 3x3x3 with feet will be removed as an official WCA event. Unfortunately, Clock will not.
- I have a long standing bet with a cuber that a sub 20 4x4 average will not be achieved by Euros 2020. So, the prediction is that a sub 20 4x4 average will be achieved next year, after the European Championships.
- The frequency of world records will slow down considerably, with less than 25 WRs being broken over the course of 2020. For reference, 87 records were broken in 2018 and 61 world records were broken (so far) in 2019.
- Continental champion predictions - North America: Max Park, Europe: Tymon Kolasinski, Asia: Leo Borromeo.
Now to look back at the goals I set at the start of the year. Since 2015, I've now achieved just 4/10 of my quantifiable goals - these are definitely intended as stretch goals.
- Given that it’s a World Championship year, I’d like to podium in 3x3-7x7 and OH.
- Yeah… didn’t even get close on this one. Unfortunately Worlds 2019 was probably my worst ever performance at a major cubing competition and I was unable to handle the pressure like on previous occasions. Not ideal, but not the end of the world.
- Get the fastest official 3x3 average in competition for the calendar year of 2019. To complete this streak for the decade of 2010-2019 would be so sweet.
- Not to jinx it, but I think that this one is safe! My unintentionally high variance solving style yielded a 5.69 and 5.53 average, with just one other sub 6 average for the year.
Goals for 2020 are as follows:
- Get 5 sub 6 official 3x3 averages in the calendar year. This requires a bit more consistency and perhaps slightly more competition attendance, but I think it’s a nice stretch goal for myself as I narrow my focus a little bit more on 3x3. Thankfully, Australian competitions are absolutely booming post world championships.
- Not sure if I’ll go to Euros or Asians just yet, but my standard 3-7 + OH + Mega podiums goal will apply at these comps, depending on the mega psych sheet.
- For something different, I’d like to post a sub 6 stackmat average of 100 on YouTube.
As many of you who may have been following the website for a few years may have seen, my activity and content development for the site reduced over this time – in 2017 it was very strong and consistent, in 2018 it was in burst periods, and in 2019 I was just posting blogs and staying up to date with comments and emails. This basically coincided with the amount of time I was able to devote to the site, but was also a function of how ‘complete’ I felt the site was. There has been plenty of innovation in cubing methods over the 3 years since this site was created, so next year I intend to conduct a thorough review of algorithms, tutorial content, and hopefully film some new videos. For premium members, I will be sticking to a strict twice a month schedule of example solve live streams, so get excited! I've announced the first stream on the front page and the livestreams tab. In the meantime, I'll also be streaming some casual solves and chat for quite a while tomorrow over on my twitch channel, starting from around 10am Melbourne time (31st of Dec).
bhavagnya sharma Posted 1 year ago
great feliks
Sofia Nguyen Posted 1 year ago
"I have a long standing bet with a cuber that a sub 20 4x4 average will not be achieved by Euros 2020." Hum, I believe that the probability of it occurring has dropped significantly since you made that bet. ;)
Tom G Posted 1 year ago
Hey Feliks,
I have a few questions for you. Firstly, how do you lubricate and setup your Gan XS? Secondly, what percentage of a megaminx solve should be your last layer? I find that my megaminx last layer takes up around 35% of my solve which seems like a lot because there are 12 sides on a megaminx.
Paul Lee Posted 1 year ago
Hey Tom G,
As for setting up the Gan XS, LaZer0MonKey made a video on that featuring Feliks. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACugc5yGrE0&t=288s
As for megaminx, I don't know for sure, but 35% still seems like a lot. Depending on how fast you are, you might want to consider two-look pll at least, and maybe two look oll. Hope this helps
Ahmad Akasha Posted 1 year ago
I REALLY like cheese, to be honest.. Hey feliks what is your favourite cheese type! Mines is strawberry jam without bits.
Helphy Lieby Posted 11 months ago
Hi Feliks,
As I focus on square cubes,I wonder how to improve my hand speed.I think a good cube is also important.So can you introduce some good cubes to me?Thank you,Feliks
Tom Liew Posted 11 months ago
Sir what did you think about the Gan 460?
Nguyen Phung Dung Anh Posted 11 months ago
Hey Feliks,
In 2020, I want you to build a module about 2x2x2 and CLL.
Daniel MacMillan Posted 11 months ago
I Agree with Nguyen. A 2x2 module would be awesome and honestly, since you have 3x3-7x7, I think it's about time to have 2x2.
Surbhi Kumari Posted 11 months ago
Hey Feliks,
I have been cubing for a few years and can solve the cube in about 15 seconds on an average. I use CFOP and I am also colour neutral. I have been trying but I can't get faster. Can you please suggest me something by which I can solve it faster? I will be attending my first competition in about 40 days. So I can also try something new. Can you please suggest me some tips which will be the most effective in these 40 days?
Thomas Nguyen Posted 11 months ago
so when is "so next year I intend to conduct a thorough review of algorithms" going to happen? Does this mean that the algs are gonna change to better ones? if so i"m pretty excited for that
Zihan Jin Posted 11 months ago
Feliks, what cube do you like the most?
Ian Lim Posted 10 months ago
Probably the Gan Air
Foxcive op Posted 10 months ago
Hi,Feliks.I'm student.I like cube.thank you
Đoàn Dương Tuấn Anh Posted 10 months ago
Hey Feliks! How do you about Yu Shengdu's 3.47 WR single on the 3x3 recently? For me, I was super confusing that how on hell can he did that, tbh. His hands are super sick.
Nguyen Phung Dung Anh Posted 10 months ago
Because the scramble are super easy, 8 moves for double-x cross and a PLL skip
ji liu Posted 9 months ago
You are so handsome !One of your fans from China.
Jarvis Zhu Posted 9 months ago
Fei God, what about the Rubik's cube you used to record the tutorial?
bob bill Posted 9 months ago
what do you think the best cube is that is not that expensive, like under $20
Louis Virlombier Posted 9 months ago
I Felixs your my favourite cuber and I go to St Kevins
Michael Do Posted 8 months ago
Feliks is da best!!!
Jeongwon Park Posted 8 months ago
Feliks is the best!!! He still have the 3x3 world record average.
Zihan Jin Posted 8 months ago
I know that you are the best cuber in the world and you use GAN. Do you think that MOYU is as good as GAN. Plz reply. :D
Shuichi Madina Posted 8 months ago
Zihan, GAN's better :)
Jamie A Posted 8 months ago
moyu is pretty good though
Zihan Jin Posted 8 months ago
True, :D GAN IS THE BEST.
Han Mecartin Posted 8 months ago
Which is better mfjs meilong or yuxin little magic or mf3rs
Jamie A Posted 8 months ago
little magic is the best budget, but I think meilong is the best
A SpeedCuber Posted 8 months ago
Gan is good, but I like MoYu and Dayan better
Kavish Sethi Posted 8 months ago
Gan is the best i thin felicks might have been doing a lot of practice
Shah Haq Posted 8 months ago
Oooooooooœòôöóōøõ
Can't Stop Cubing Posted 7 months ago
I think gan is the best cubing brand out there
Andrew Da Boi Posted 7 months ago
I really like moyu and dayan though
A SpeedCuber Posted 7 months ago
ADB is right
Abhijeet Ghodgaonkar Posted 7 months ago
Nice nice predictions, I think there will be more WRs in the year 2020, >>20.
Aarnav Katru Posted 7 months ago
GAN IS THE BEST
Shuichi Madina Posted 7 months ago
YES!
Alex Davison Posted 7 months ago
R.I.P 2020
Gitam Ghosh Posted 4 months ago
I am YJ cuber
Anvay Vaidya Posted 4 months ago
MONSTER GO is BEST
Austin Xiao Posted 4 months ago
no GAN is the best or yuxin little magic or qiyi ms
Mateo Switzer Posted 4 months ago
Gah is the best. I like Moyu too but gah is definitely better
Mateo Switzer Posted 4 months ago
**Gan
Mateo Switzer Posted 4 months ago
Autocorrect. Lol
Aryan Gunjal Posted 4 months ago
hi
CHIADIKA ONONYE Posted 4 months ago
hi
Bui Long Posted 4 months ago
Hi!!
Surrya Sivakumar Posted 3 months ago
Can anyone recommend a speed cube
Al S Posted 3 months ago
Gan is a good brand.
Noah Wright Posted 3 months ago
A good speed cube at the currnt moment probably is the rs3m 2020 or if you straight up flagship/expensively worth it, maybe the wrm 2020 or GAN 356 xs
Al S Posted 3 months ago
@ Noah Wright- You are absolutely right
Preston Le Posted 3 months ago
@NoahWright Same exact thing came to my mind. I'm thinking right now fo getting a rs3m 2020 with n50 magnets what do u guys think?
Preston Le Posted 3 months ago
I agree with everyone else a 2x2 section with intermediate (ortega) and advanced would be AWESOME (cll and eg1 don't really need eg1 but would be nice) ;)
bob bill Posted 3 months ago
I would love to see a blindfolded module as well but I don't know if that will ever happen. Does Feliks even do blindfolded?
Preston Le Posted 3 months ago
@bob bill there's a blindfolded section just look closer
bob bill Posted 3 months ago
wait what
bob bill Posted 3 months ago
wait where is it
Jamie A Posted 3 months ago
there isnt one @preston le
Lewis potts Posted 3 months ago
full oll is so hard
Preston Le Posted 3 months ago
yea my bad i mistook the one handed for the blindfolded :l
If you want one, id suggest going to jperm.net, they have a really detailed tutorial.
Jamie A Posted 3 months ago
Full OLL isn't that hard, its just a lot of algs
Preston Le Posted 3 months ago
@Jamie A What do u think would be the best way to learn full oll I haven't started yet
bob bill Posted 3 months ago
start by looking through them and get a few easy ones memorised and move on from there learn them at a good pace though don't go too fast just like with learning pll
Kayden Reynolds Posted 3 months ago
I would also love a module on ever official wca event that would be great.
Lewis potts Posted 3 months ago
Jamie who showed you how to do full oll
Jamie A Posted 3 months ago
Preston and Lewis,
I just learnt from J Perm, the sheet that came with my 356 Air SM (link to that sheet on the gan website: https://www.gancube.com/3x3x3-cfop-guide-of-gancube ) but not that many from there, and from playing around with my cube.
Lewis potts Posted 3 months ago
thanks Jamie i will copy the link
Lewis potts Posted 3 months ago
Lewis potts Posted 3 months ago
J perm.net is good website to
Lewis potts Posted 3 months ago
hi
Jamie A Posted 3 months ago
np lewis
Preston Le Posted 3 months ago
bob and jamie thx for the tips I'm going to try it out right now! :)
Jamie A Posted 3 months ago
Ok np
Lewis potts Posted 3 months ago
what dose np mean
bob bill Posted 3 months ago
No problem
Lewis potts Posted 3 months ago
cool thanks
Lewis potts Posted 3 months ago
i bored so bored
Lewis potts Posted 3 months ago
i got 57 seconds today at school not my best but still good for me
Jamie A Posted 3 months ago
Nice!
Lewis potts Posted 3 months ago
got 52 seconds 1 hour ago
Lewis potts Posted 3 months ago
hi
Lewis potts Posted 3 months ago
change my name to non-cuber
Lewis potts Posted 3 months ago
hope you like it
Li Random Posted 3 months ago
ok
Chino Gumabon Posted 3 months ago
I Got 57.45 Last Time.
bob bill Posted 3 months ago
I am on my bad cube and I’m getting used to it again I got a few sub 20s earlier
bob bill Posted 3 months ago
So really the vibe doesn’t make all the difference
bob bill Posted 3 months ago
Do you guys use full cfop
Jamie A Posted 3 months ago
Yes
bob bill Posted 3 months ago
Luis and Chino? if not you should learn to greatly improve those times
Lewis potts Posted 3 months ago
ok i need to but i just gan not improve my times!
help me
Lewis potts Posted 2 months ago
http://127.0.0.1:5500/
Lewis potts Posted 2 months ago
hop you like my website its not done yet
bob bill Posted 2 months ago
i can't get to it :(
bob bill Posted 2 months ago
but wow i don't know how to make a website
Lewis potts Posted 2 months ago
thanks hopefully it will go live soon i have got a lot of bugs though i am fixing them now
Lewis potts Posted 2 months ago
Felix is in it to hope he will like it . it like cubeskills
bob bill Posted 2 months ago
Wow
bob bill Posted 2 months ago
Let me know when it’s ready I would like to see it
Jamie A Posted 2 months ago
ok me too!
Lewis potts Posted 2 months ago
i got this new cube and it feels like cardboard
Jamie A Posted 2 months ago
What cube is it Lewis?
Preston Le Posted 2 months ago
hey guys, i'm looking 4 a new cube that's decent, my main rn is a rs3m 2020 (budget cube ik). any suggestions for a good cube? ( around $20-40 ish plz, I can't afford something like s 356 XS or a 11 m pro)
Preston Le Posted 2 months ago
Also, i need a new 2x2 and I cant pick between the MGC 2x2 or the Dayan Tengyun M
Jamie A Posted 2 months ago
the rs3m is decent, but if you really want something better, the 356M?
Preston Le Posted 2 months ago
you kinda just read my mind! the 356m was 1st on my list, good price, good cube. I was a bit hesitant to get it, since I wanted to see how other people thought toward it. thanks :)
Jamie A Posted 2 months ago
OK. My friend has it and it can get a bit dry, maybe also get some lube with it?
Lewis potts Posted 2 months ago
the cube i got was two pounds. i know what you are thinking two pounds i had the choice of a cube or nothing it is calld the magic cube/the ultimate puzzle
it is so bad !!!!
bob bill Posted 2 months ago
if you are looking for some to quality dice I would recommend the DND Metal Game Dice Set Cream Pink with Rainbow Edge 7pcs Set for Dungeons and Dragons RPG MTG Table Games D4 D6 D8 D10 D12 D20 from amazon for only $20
here is the link
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WNBYP6W/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07WNBYP6W&pd_rd_w=SInFW&pf_rd_p=c83c55b0-5d97-454a-a592-a891098a9709&pd_rd_wg=vx2uT&pf_rd_r=N5KX9NSDQSSMJGS9EJ2K&pd_rd_r=d708d1ed-685d-45cb-a434-5948a9664b73&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExNU45Vk5YWTFJNk9SJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDg3NDEyMjNKWEZZMzdYQVJGTCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjQ4MTEwM0o4NVFaNzQwTjlNQSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbF90aGVtYXRpYyZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU%3D&tag=imoreb-20&ascsubtag=UUimUdUnU67069YYwYb
Jamie A Posted 2 months ago
ok??
A SpeedCuber Posted 2 months ago
By far the best speed cube
this BEAST
A SpeedCuber Posted 2 months ago
you can also buy this to test your IQ
Preston Le Posted 2 months ago
lol what
A SpeedCuber Posted 2 months ago
however, I main this cube
Bryan Leung Posted 2 months ago
up predictions will come true when the covid 19 GOES AWAY.
Jamie A Posted 2 months ago
Yeah covid sucks ):
Lewis potts Posted 1 month ago
the best cube is https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/page/CA2BEF72-1F97-4163-BDF0-B62C6E8D58C1?store_ref=SB_A07084041KOIPL634L4X3&pd_rd_w=fkc2H&pf_rd_p=40d3cb1e-8628-4180-b8c1-e85c1e1bde56&pd_rd_wg=7dkDM&pf_rd_r=4Z5JH4BHXCS3ZCRK5TBH&pd_rd_r=8b28f65c-42e4-42e5-8685-8c8fffc9a82f&pd_rd_i=ad1&aaxitk=3a4mskZ2ia7L1x9gGtr63g&hsa_cr_id=4044976170502&lp_asins=B0813R6J45,B00DFM7HVK,B07W8Y1FRJ&lp_mat_key=rubiks%20cube&lp_slot=desktop-arbies&ref_=sbx_be_dp_arbies_mbd this
Lewis potts Posted 1 month ago
yooooooooo
Cameron Schindler Posted 1 month ago
Cool
Coo
Lewis potts Posted 3 weeks ago
did you see the new vid
Jamie A Posted 3 weeks ago
do you mean feliks' comp avgs?
bob bill Posted 3 weeks ago
he's been posting a lot now that comps are back i haven't watched em all yet
Lewis potts Posted 2 weeks ago
yes i got the gan 356 air pro my first gan cube!
Lewis potts Posted 2 weeks ago
i feel like i am going you get sub 20 soon 2021 goals & predictions
merry Christmas
bob bill Posted 2 weeks ago
Epic!
although you can’t rely on a new cube to get you faster solves, you still gotta practice and things
Lewis potts Posted 1 week ago
i know i cant rely on my cube to make me sub 20. before i had a 2 pound cube from the toy shop i think everyone had a bad cube when i started so i got a better cube!
bob bill Posted 1 week ago
yeah going from a cube like that does make a big diffe I guess lol
Lewis potts Posted 1 week ago
and i just suck at fl plz help me.
i learn my allgs from jperm.net
bob bill Posted 1 week ago
lots of practice drill them every day and have patience
Lewis potts Posted 1 week ago
thanks