View source for Stefan Pochmann

{{Infobox
|NAME=Stefan Pochmann
|IMAGE=StefanPochmann.jpg
|IMAGEYEAR=
|ALIASES=
|COUNTRY=Germany
|BIRTHDATE=
|AGE=
|JOBS=
|YEARSACTIVE=2003-present
|ID=2003POCH01
|FAMOUSFOR=[[Classic Pochmann]], [[M2/R2]], multiple world titles and records, all-around puzzleman, general awesomeness
}}

'''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.

== Progression ==
Stefan started cubing around 1982, didn't cube much in the 1990s and joined the new wave of cubing in 2003 when he found other cubers on the internet. Inspired by [[Richard Carr]], [[Dror Vomberg]] and other blindcubing pioneers, he invented his classic blindsolving method, then became the first megaminx blindsolver and first official 5x5x5 blindsolver. During 2004-2007 he became a good all-rounder, setting 21 world records in six events and dominating megaminx and clock for a while. Stefan isn't very competitive anymore, but remains quite active on the forums. His lasting contributions to cubing include his blindsolving methods and his work on the WCA results website.

== 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 [http://www.stefan-pochmann.info/spocc/speedsolving/3x3/ several 3x3 last layer algorithms]

=== Program and Services ===
* Created the WCA Database with [[Clément Gallet]] and [[Josef Jelínek]]
* Created [http://ptimer.net/ ptimer.net], a timer for making videos
* Created [http://speedcubes.net/ speedcubes.net], an ongoing project for a ratable database of different cubes
* Created [http://cubeweb.info/ cubeweb.info], a custom search engine for cube sites

=== Other ===
* Proposed the [[Blonk number]] and [http://www.stefan-pochmann.info/cubieverse/ the Cubiverse]

== Achievements ==

Stefan has held world records in Megaminx, Clock, Magic, Master Magic, 5x5 blindfolded and old Multiblind.

=== Firsts ===

In addition, Stefan achieved several firsts in blindfold cubing.
* First person to officially solve a 5x5 blindfolded.
* First person to unofficially solve a Megaminx blindfolded.
* Real Team-BLD with [[Tim Habermaas]]: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?25506-World-Domination-Day-1 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 [http://www.stefan-pochmann.info/spocc/videos/ Master Magic HowTo] video)
* BOY DO YOU SUCK
* YOU'RE SO CUTE
* UH... WHAT?
* AGAIN: NO
* CHEERS!
* WRONG. IDIOT.

== Trivia ==
* [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?30838-Stefan-in-little-TV-competition Stefan in little TV competition]
* 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 second most expensive prize anyone has won by cubing (after [[Simon Westlund]]'s Sweden's Got Talent victory). See [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2huaQLUWU8 Stefan live on German TV] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2huaQLUWU8 video] and [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?33563-Stefan-Blindfolded-Underwater-On-TV.... this one] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q3paEpZgys one including Stefan winning the car].
* [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?31649-Stefan-Pochmann-wears-a-helmet-at-the-Canadian-Open-2011 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 [http://uncletyson.wordpress.com/2011/07/25/stefan-pochmann-and-the-rubiks-revolution/ his method], then won the Rubik's Revolution event at Worlds 2007 and US Nationals 2009 to prove its stupidity. And to win the prize money.
* "pochmann" is a verb, often used as "get pochmanned." See [http://pochmann.me/ pochmann.me].
* Stefan abhors smoke and famously chose not to defend his German national title in 2007 because the venue (a toy fair) used to be full of smoke and he had left the venue coughing terribly the year before.

== Achievements ==

{{S-start}}

{{S-ach| ach=World Titles}}

{{S-title-bef| before=[[Grant Tregay]] | year=2003 }}
{{S-title| title=Megaminx World Champion | year=2005 }}
{{S-title-aft| after=[[Erik Akkersdijk]] | year=2007 }}

{{S-title-bef| before=[[Jaap Scherphuis]] | year=2003 }}
{{S-title| title=Rubik's Clock World Champion | year=2005 }}
{{S-title-aft| after=[[Ernesto Fernández Regueira]] | year=2007 }}

{{S-title-bef| before=[[Jaap Scherphuis]] | year=2003 }}
{{S-title| title=Master Magic World Champion | year=2005 }}
{{S-title-aft| after=[[Máté Horváth]] | year=2007 }}

{{S-ach| ach=Continental Titles}}

{{S-title-bef| before=None | year=}}
{{S-title| title=5x5x5 Blindfolded European Champion | year=2004 }}
{{S-title-aft| after=[[Rafał Guzewicz]] | year=2008 }}

{{S-title-bef| before=None | year=}}
{{S-title| title=Rubik's Clock European Champion | year=2004 }}
{{S-title-aft| after=[[Mátyás Kuti]] | year=2006 }}

{{S-title-bef| before=[[Dror Vomberg]] | year=2004 }}
{{S-title| title=3x3x3 Blindfolded European Champion | year=2006 }}
{{S-title-aft| after=[[Rafał Guzewicz]] | year=2008 }}

{{S-title-bef| before=None | year= }}
{{S-title| title=Megaminx European Champion | year=2006 }}
{{S-title-aft| after=[[Erik Akkersdijk]] | year=2008 }}

{{S-title-bef| before=None | year= }}
{{S-title| title=3x3x3 Multi-blind (Old Style) European Champion | year=2006 }}
{{S-title-aft| after=[[Dennis Strehlau]] | year=2008 }}

{{S-end}}

== See also ==
* [[Classic Pochmann]]
* [[M2/R2]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.stefan-pochmann.info/spocc/ Stefan Pochmann's Cube Corner]
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?5381-Interview-with-Stefan-Pochmann Interview with Stefan Pochmann]
* [http://www.speedcubes.net/ SpeedCubes.net]
* [http://www.ptimer.net/ PTimer]
* [http://www.cubecastpodcast.com/episodes/ CubeCast Podcast: Episode 10 - Stefan Pochmann]
* [http://www.youtube.com/StefanPochmann Stefan's Youtube Videos]

[[Category:Former world record holders|Pochmann, Stefan]]
[[Category:Former world champions|Pochmann, Stefan]]
[[Category:Programmers|Pochmann, Stefan]]
[[Category:Megaminx solvers|Pochmann, Stefan]]
[[Category:Magic solvers|Pochmann, Stefan]]
[[Category:Master Magic solvers|Pochmann, Stefan]]
[[Category:Clock solvers|Pochmann, Stefan]]
[[Category:Method inventors|Pochmann, Stefan]]
[[Category:Speedcubers|Pochmann, Stefan]]