At the Toronto Open, Fall 2007 speedcubing competition, one person emerged as the clear winner of the competition. Granted, competitions don't normally declare someone as the winner of an entire competition, merely specific events within the competition. However, this competition saw 5 of 9 events have the same first place winner. Derrick Eide was a relatively unknown cuber coming into the competition. He had competed once before, in 2006, at the Rutgers Spring 2006 competition in New Jersey, USA. Derrick was fairly new to cubing at the time, earning a 23 second average in the 3x3 event, and didn't have the same impact he did this time around.

Coming into the Toronto Open, few people would have pegged Derrick to take first place in over half of the events. A large part of the reasoning is that, as stated, Derrick had not been to a competition in some time; but in addition to that, he had not really connected with the community to make his abilities known. We here at canadianCUBING felt we should take this opportunity to get to know Derrick a bit better, and to start what will hopefully be a series of features on interesting and noteworthy cubers.

Derrick, an 18 year old student, living in Brockville, Ontario has been cubing for nearly 2 years at the time of this article. "I had always wanted to be able to solve a cube since I was little" said Derrick. "I eventually found videos on the internet of Ron Van Bruchem solving the cube extremely fast on his site, speedcubing.com. Since then I have been absolutely hooked."

When asked about the cubers that he looked up to while starting to get into cubing, like many cubers, he cites Ron van Bruchem at the top of the list. "But the speedcubers that I really look up to are mainly the really good cubers. But not only the ones that are out there inspiring others now, but also those speedcubers that have been doing it for such a long time and have put their hard work and effort into speedcubing" said Derrick. "To me, the main ones are Matyas Kuti, Jean Pons, and Erik Akkersdijk, to name a few. All these speedcubers, in one way or another, have inspired me to get better and are really all good people."

Like the majority of the top cubers today, Derrick uses the Fridrich method. "I almost always start with a white cross, but I have tried to learn opposite-colours cross in the past, and I may explore it more in the future". Opposite colour solving, also known as "dual solving" was popularized by Chris Hardwick in 2006. It is the process of using two polar opposite colors as options to start on. The idea is that if one uses white as his or her primary color, using a standard BOY colour scheme, switching to a yellow cross would be fairly easy as not a lot changes. With some practice, it is fairly easy to train yourself to start on either colour. Of course, this theory applies to any poles on a cube. The benefit would be doubling the chance of having an easy starting configuration.

Derrick says he uses the basic version of the Fridrch method, though he cites the possibility of using some of the more advanced methods, such as COLL, ZBF2L, and ZBLL, as "very interesting" and something he may explore more in the future. But for now, his method consists of solving the standard cases with a few of his own tricks thrown in as required. "I am still learning, and probably will continue for as long as I am cubing".

Though Derrick cites the standard 3x3 as his favorite event, he is quite proficient in virtually all events, even purchasing a Master Magic in order to get his times down in yet another event. He says he practices cubing, on average, a total of 6 hours a day, spread out in a number of sessions. "When I first started cubing I went a little insane with it, but I have toned it down a little now. Still, I have been known to practice a bit too much sometimes", he said with a grin.

As for the big cube events, Derrick uses Rubik's brand puzzles. "I think they truly are the best for big cubes". On the 4x4, for which he came in second to Matt Walter, the current National Record Holder, Derrick starts with the six edge pairing technique, and then finishes the edges with three sets of 2 pairs.

At the Toronto Open, Derrick managed to set a new National Record for the 2x2 average. When asked about his 2x2 method, Derrick said he uses a variety of methods. "I use many different methods that I have learned throughout the years. But mainly, I use Ortega and normal Fridrich. On occasion I will use the Guimond method, and I will use some other little tricks as needed". Given all of these methods and options, we wondered just how much he can have planned during the 15 second inspection portion of the solve. "I can pretty much see the whole first layer and on about 50% of the solves I can tell the OLL case as well".

Given his penchant for Rubik's brand puzzles when it comes to big cubes, we inquired about his preference for the 2x2. "No, for the 2x2 I use an Eastsheen because, for me, they are better".

Keeping with his record pace, Derrick set a new National Record in the blindfold solving event, which he lists as one of his proudest accomplishments at the Toronto Open. "I really didn't think I would break the BLD single solve National Record. I get so nervous in competition, and given the memory aspect to BLD, I was really happy to get it". He employs the "old Pochmann method", saying with a smirk, "I have always used it and it works well for me".

When asked about the possibility of getting into big cube blindfold solving, Derrick said it interests him a lot. "I actually have attempted a 4x4 BLD solve before and I plan on practicing it more. I also have plans to work on 5x5 BLD soon".

Speedcubing has grown a great deal in the past 4 years, and it is constantly trying to update itself and maintain the competitive aspect, while keeping fairness a priority. One of the ways is through discussion within the community. We asked Derrick a series of questions about regulations to see his opinion.

canadianCUBING: How do you feel about the idea that you can inspect the cube for longer than it takes to solve it now? Should we ever change the inspection time?

Derrick: I was actually thinking about this question recently, myself. I do think the 15 seconds inspection time is a good amount. But then, at times, it seems a little too long for some events, but the idea of changing it just seems wrong. So I'd have to say that think it seems right just to keep it the same.

canadianCUBING: If you could change one rule what would it be and why?

Derrick: I guess I will say that POPS should earn you another solve, like it used to before the rule change. Mainly because I have seen some great cubers have solves that go wrong because of a POP and it happened to myself at the Toronto Open. It would be nice to have another more chance at a solve.

canadianCUBING: What would you like to see be done differently at competitions?

Derrick: The competitions that I see nowadays are really well organized. The only suggestion that I could really add is to have some of the less popular events at competitions more often to get more people into them. If they have the chance to compete in them, people will be more likely to get into those events.

canadianCUBING: What event would you like to see added as an official event that is currently not available?

Derrick: Definitely, I will say the 2x2 blindfolded event. I have always wanted that event in a competition and I have practice it so much. I think it would be fun to have.

Derrick shocked many at the Toronto Open, but his secret is out now. Everyone appears to know what it takes to win, and who they have to beat. The next competition should be interesting to see if Derrick can maintain his title in all these events, and all his records. We would like to congratulate Derrick for his success and thank him for taking the time to talk with canadianCUBING.