SpeedBLD

speedBLD (variously called speed BLD, SpeedBLD, short for speed blindfolded solving) is a blindsolving Rubik's cube discipline in which unlimited memorisation time is allowed. In speedBLD only the execution time is recorded. Because memorisation time isn't an issue, it is possible to use a standard speedcubing method such as Fridrich to maximise execution speed. speedBLD has never been a WCA official event.

Early Figures

In 1998, Geir Ugelstad used speedBLD to become the first person to officially (pre-WCA) solve 2 and 3 cubes blindfolded. Dan Knights's first successful blindfolded solve was using Fridrich in 1999. He later used a more standard blindfold solving method. In May 2004, Chris Hardwick used Fridrich to solve a cube in 18.50 seconds.[1][2] His attempt was famously parodied by the Axe Deodorant's Get A Girlfriend commercial campaign.

Rising Popularity

The rising popularity of BLD led to the inclusion of multi-BLD, but not speedBLD, as a WCA official event in 2006. Since 2006, Lucas Garron has been the most prominent advocate of speedBLD. There have been attempts to standardize speedBLD, at least unofficially.

External Links

• Lucas Garron's Speed BLD Page
• Speedsolving.com: Fridrich BLD
• Speedsolving.com: SpeedBLD Memorization Methods?
• Dan Knights's account of his speedBLD attempt
• Speedsolving.com: speedBLD-standard