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.
Contents
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 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 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: 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 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 Stefan live on German TV and video and this one and one including Stefan winning the car.
- 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 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 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
| 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 None |
5x5x5 Blindfolded European Champion 2004 |
Succeeded by Rafał Guzewicz 2008 |
| Preceded by None |
Rubik's Clock European Champion 2004 |
Succeeded by Mátyás Kuti 2006 |
| Preceded by Dror Vomberg 2004 |
3x3x3 Blindfolded European Champion 2006 |
Succeeded by Rafał Guzewicz 2008 |
| Preceded by None |
Megaminx European Champion 2006 |
Succeeded by Erik Akkersdijk 2008 |
| Preceded by None |
3x3x3 Multi-blind (Old Style) European Champion 2006 |
Succeeded by Dennis Strehlau 2008 |
