Faster puzzling is much more than just improving your time on the stopwatch. It’s about developing fluid movement, increasing your concentration, and enhancing your overall puzzling enjoyment. Whether you’re a beginner just starting with speedcubing or an advanced puzzler looking for those extra seconds, speed brings a new dimension to your hobby.

For beginners, faster puzzling often means more confidence and less frustration. As your movements become more fluid, you experience more pleasure and motivation to continue. Advanced puzzlers know that speed isn’t just about fast fingers, but about efficiency, thinking ahead, and mastering techniques that help you perform more consistently.

The benefits of faster puzzling extend far beyond the stopwatch. You develop better hand-eye coordination, improve your spatial insight, and train your memory in a playful way. Moreover, it creates a great challenge that keeps motivating you to surpass yourself.

1: Choose the right cube for your level

The choice of your speedcube has a direct impact on your performance and development. A quality cube can make the difference between frustration and enjoyment, especially when you’re just starting with speedcubing. It’s comparable to learning to ride a bike on a well-adjusted bike versus a rusty old bike.

Magnetic cubes have now become the standard for serious speedcubers. The magnets provide tactile feedback that helps you make more precise movements and prevent incorrect turning movements. For beginners, this can mean they learn the right techniques faster, while advanced cubers benefit from the consistency and control that magnetic cubes offer.

The tension of your cube is also crucial. A cube that’s too tight requires more force and slows down your movements, while a cube that’s too loose can lead to unwanted turning movements. Modern speedcubes often have adjustable tension, allowing you to perfectly tune the cube to your preferences and playing style.

2: Master the fundamental finger techniques

Good finger technique forms the absolute foundation for faster puzzling. Many beginners make the mistake of turning the entire cube with their wrists, which is not only slower but also more tiring. Professional speedcubers primarily use their fingers and keep their wrists relatively still.

The most important techniques are the R-, U-, and F-movements that you execute with your index finger and thumb of your right hand, while your left hand stabilizes the cube. For L-movements, you use your left index finger. Learning these fundamental grips can feel unnatural at first, but with practice they become second nature.

A common mistake is holding the cube too tightly. Your grip should be firm enough to maintain control, but loose enough to allow fluid movements. Regularly practice the basic grips without algorithms, just to let your fingers get used to the movements.

3: Learn efficient algorithms and patterns

Mastering efficient algorithms is where the real speed gain lies. The CFOP method (Cross, F2L, OLL, PLL) is the most popular speedcubing method because it offers a good balance between learnability and speed. Beginners can start with the basic elements and gradually add more advanced algorithms.

Start by perfecting your cross. A good cross in eight moves or fewer lays the foundation for a fast solve. Then you can learn F2L (First Two Layers), which seems complex at first but is ultimately much faster than the layer-by-layer method. The secret is to learn small pieces at a time and repeat a lot.

For OLL (Orientation of Last Layer) and PLL (Permutation of Last Layer), there are dozens of algorithms. Start with the most common patterns and gradually build your repertoire. It’s better to master a few algorithms perfectly than to half-know many algorithms.

4: Practice daily with a timer

Regular practice with timing is essential for measurable progress. A timer not only helps you track your speed, but also motivates you to stay consistent in your training. Start each session with a few untimed solves to warm up.

Keep track of your times in a logbook or app. This gives you insight into your progress and helps you recognize patterns. You might notice that you’re faster in the morning, or that certain scrambles give you more trouble. You can use this information to optimize your training.

Vary your exercises between fast solves, slow and accurate solves, and practicing specific algorithms. A good ratio is 70% normal solves, 20% slow technique training, and 10% specific algorithm practice. This ensures balanced development of both speed and accuracy.

5: How looking ahead increases your speed

Lookahead is perhaps the most difficult but also most valuable skill in speedcubing. It means you’re already looking at the next step while you’re still working on the current movements. This eliminates pauses between algorithms and ensures fluid solves.

Start by practicing lookahead during F2L. Try to locate the next pair while solving an F2L pair. This requires a lot of practice, because your brain needs to learn to multitask. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed while maintaining the lookahead.

A good exercise is doing slow solves where you force yourself never to pause. Even if you don’t know what the next step is, keep moving and searching. This technique helps you unlearn pausing and develops your ability to think while moving.

6: Maintain your cube for optimal performance

A well-maintained cube is crucial for consistent performance. Just like a car needs regular maintenance, your speedcube needs attention to continue functioning optimally. This starts with regular cleaning to remove dust and dirt that can hinder movements.

Lubricants play an important role in your cube’s performance. Different types of lubricants have different effects: some make your cube faster, others provide more control. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your playing style. Always start with small amounts, because too much lubricant can be counterproductive.

Adjusting the tension is another important factor. If you notice your cube feels too loose and often makes missteps, tighten the screws a bit. Is your cube too tight and requires too much force? Then loosen the tension a bit. Finding the perfect balance can significantly improve your times.

From beginner to speedcubing expert

The journey from beginner to speedcubing expert is a marathon, not a sprint. By combining and consistently applying these six tips, you lay a solid foundation for continuous improvement. The secret lies in the balance between all aspects: a good cube, the right technique, efficient algorithms, regular practice, lookahead skills, and good maintenance.

Start with the fundamentals and gradually build up. Perfect your finger techniques before focusing on speed. Learn algorithms thoroughly before adding new ones. Develop lookahead by doing many slow, fluid solves. And don’t forget to have fun in the process.

For those looking for quality materials to practice these techniques with, extensive collections are available with puzzles for every level and preference. Whether you’re interested in puzzles for adults seeking challenge, puzzles for children just starting out, or classic wooden puzzle options, there’s something suitable for everyone.

Which of these tips will you implement first in your training, and what is your current biggest challenge in faster puzzling?