Young girl from Navi Mumbai solves Pyraminx cube in 10 seconds

Ritika Sreekumar, class 4, Apeejay School Nerul, won a Rubik’s Cube competition organised by Wonder Cube League earlier this year. She won a trophy for solving two cubes in 10 seconds and 50 seconds respectively. Her mother Parvathy Krishna says she can now solve at least eight different types of cubes, sometimes even blindfolded! In an interview, Ritika reveals the first time she solved a cube while her mother talks about how it has sharpened her cognitive skills. Read on:

When did you start learning Rubik’s Cube? How did you get to know about the competition?

Ritika: My mother told me about this competition, so I wanted to participate in it. My parents introduced me to Rubik’s Cube during the lockdown. They enrolled me in an online coaching class for it. It took me nearly a month to solve my first cube. I solved it in 1 minute 21 seconds. I was elated!

This is my second Rubik’s Cube competition. It is a lot of fun to solve the puzzle and that is what I like about this game.

Parvathy Krishna: Ritika has always been interested in solving puzzles. During the lockdown, I thought about letting her learn something new. That is why I enrolled her in the Rubik’s Cube class. She enjoyed the classes. The classes lasted for 10 days and within that time she picked up the technique to solve it.

You solved the Pyraminx cube in 10 seconds and the 3x3x3 cube in 50 seconds. What is your next target?

Ritika: My next target is to be able to solve a 3x3x3 cube in 10 seconds. I practise solving the cube every day.

Parvathy: Ritika started by learning the 3x3x3 cube. Now, she can solve nine cubes in total. After the classes ended, she went to learn about the cubes on her own by watching YouTube videos. She has progressed a lot. Now, she can even reshuffle a Rubik’s Cube and solve it again with a blindfold!

What other activities are you interested in?

Ritika: I like drawing. I have participated in some drawing competitions.

Has learning Rubik’s Cube benefitted Ritika?

Parvathy: Ritika’s academic performance has improved. It might have sharpened her intellect. It has also improved her concentration levels. She can also solve a range of other pieces puzzles.

How well are you supporting your daughter as parents?

Parvathy: This is Ritika’s second Rubik’s Cube competition. Whenever we come across any such opportunity, we share it with our daughter and motivate her to take part. When she tells us about a new cube that she wants to solve, we try to procure it for her.