Stefan Pochmann
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Stefan Pochmann is a German speedcuber famous for inventing the Classic Pochmann and M2/R2 blindfoldsolving methods and his numerous other contributions to cubing. Stefan is an active user of the Speedsolving Forums, where he has gained a reputation as a rare beacon of reason.
Major Contributions and Projects
Methods
- Invented Classic Pochmann and M2/R2 blindfold solving methods
- Invented the Pochmann method for the Master Magic, which he used to win the World Championship 2005. It has since been supplanted by Alexander Ooms's method.
- Invented the Pochmann method for the Rubik's Clock in 2005, which he used to win the World Championship 2005. It has been used since with little modification by all world record holders
- Found and popularized several 3x3 last layer algorithms
Program and Services
- Created the WCA Database with Clément Gallet and Josef Jelínek
- Created ptimer.net, a timer for making videos
- Created speedcubes.net, an ongoing project for a ratable database of different cubes
- Created cubeweb.info, a custom search engine for cube sites
Other
- Proposed the Blonk number and the Cubiverse
Achievements
Stefan achieved several firsts in blindfold cubing.
- First person to solve unofficially solve a Megaminx blindfolded.
- First person to solve officially solve a 5x5 blindfolded.
In addition, he has held world records in Megaminx, Clock, Magic, and Master Magic.
Firsts
- Real Team-BLD with Tim Habermaas: World Domination, Day 1
Sample Quotes from Pochmann Magic 8-Ball List
Stefan's charisma has in particular inspired the custom-made Pochmann 8-Ball, using quotes from his forum posts.
- I WANT A FLYING PONY
- I HAVE EVIDENCE
- WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
- DON'T FORGET TO WEAR YOUR HELMET (see the Master Magic HowTo video)
- BOY DO YOU SUCK
- YOU'RE SO CUTE
- UH... WHAT?
- AGAIN: NO
- CHEERS!
- WRONG. IDIOT.
Trivia
- Stefan abhors smoke; though he does not have any moral objection to smoking itself, he personally hates smoking and others smoking near him. Stefan famously refused to defend his German national title in 2007 because the venue did not forbid competitors from smoking indoors.
- Stefan in little TV competition
- "pochmann" is a verb, often used as "get pochmanned." See pochmann.me.
- Stefan Pochmann wears a helmet at the Canadian Open 2011
- Stefan was a vehement critic of the Rubik's Revolution at its release. Ever the puzzleman, however, he invented his method, then won the Rubik's Revolution event at US Nationals to prove its stupidity.
- In November 2011, Stefan performed live on a very famous German TV show called "Wetten Dass," solving a 3x3 blindfolded under water. Although he went over the time limit, his performance was voted the best by spectators. Stefan won a car, likely the most expensive prize anyone has won by cubing. See Stefan live on German TV and video and this one and one including Stefan winning the car.
Achievements
| World Titles | ||
| Preceded by Grant Tregay 2003 |
Megaminx World Champion 2005 |
Succeeded by Erik Akkersdijk 2007 |
| Preceded by Jaap Scherphuis 2003 |
Rubik's Clock World Champion 2005 |
Succeeded by Ernesto Fernández Regueira 2007 |
| Preceded by Jaap Scherphuis 2003 |
Master Magic World Champion 2005 |
Succeeded by Máté Horváth 2007 |
| Continental Titles | ||
| Preceded by Dror Vomberg 2004 |
3x3 Blindfolded European Champion 2006 |
Succeeded by Rafal Guzewicz 2008 |
| Preceded by None |
Megaminx European Champion 2006 |
Succeeded by Erik Akkersdijk 2008 |
