Brain for the Rubiks Cube

KOCHI: He is not exactly upset but his thoughts frequently run to Rubik’s cube contest scheduled to be held on Friday at IIT Rourkee in Uttarakhand which he would miss. “It’s so far away and since my parents are busy I thought I’ll practise for the next contest,” said Jishnu Jeevan, who just completed his Class X examinations at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kadavanthra.  When everyone his age and beyond are cracking their brains over the puzzle, it’s child’s play for Jishnu who can even solve it blindfolded within minutes. This won him the first prize in the blindfolded category at the Sasthra Cube Open held at IIT Chennai in October 2011 by solving the cube in 2 minutes and 7 seconds.   He also bagged the first for 3x3 single-handed in 25 seconds and second in 3x3 both hands. He won first in 4x4 and 3x3 at the Amrita 2012 contest held in Kollam last month and the second in single-handed category. Ask him how he does it blindfolded and pat comes the reply, “I memorise the programme.” The rubik’s cube caught his attention when he saw it being solved in a programme in Discovery Channel. That was in December 2010. Ever since he was obsessed with the cube, practising every now and then and trying ways to solve it. “I resorted to various sites on the internet where I found many tips and techniques. It can be solved easily if we do it layer by layer. For a 3x3 cube, there are three layers. There are many cases on different sites and the YouTube which shows you how to move each piece. It can be solved easily if the algorithm for each set of moves is followed which can be obtained by visiting worldcubeassociation.org,” he said. The vacation gives him ample time to practise and he is concentrating more on the 3x3 cube. “I keep tab of the contests conducted by the World Cube Association and apply for the ones within reach.” Many of his classmates are also experts in solving the cube, thanks to Jishnu.  Jishnu is also crazy about playing football,  watching action movies on TV and exploring the world of science. Asked what subject he wants to opt for after X, he says, “I want to take computer science for Plus-One.”