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Michelle Nataniel Yugie came to Jakarta more than two weeks ago to set the new women’s world record in the Rubik’s Cube 3x3x3 blindfold category. But because of Mount Merapi and her classes at Kristen Duta Wacana University in Yogyakarta being canceled, she was in town long enough to teach us everything we ever wanted to know about her addiction to the cube. For a sport run rampant with men, Michelle’s story is pretty unique. She fell in love with Rubik’s Cube, invented in 1974 by Erno Rubik, a little over a year ago and now she’s determined to pass that love on to other girls around the country and be the first girl ever to solve a 5x5x5 cube blindfolded — which means memorizing more than 650 different moves.

How do you train for something like a Rubik’s Cube competition?

Every night before I go to sleep I complete one cube blindfolded 10 times. I didn’t expect to win the Jakarta Ceria Open two weeks ago because the then-No. 1 was competing in the same category of 3x3x3-sized cubes and he was planning to break his own world record. Plus, most of the competitors were male and so many smart people competed, but they failed because of things beyond their control. It was kind of a coincidence that I completed all eight cubes in 57 minutes and 12 seconds blindfolded.

When was the first time you joined a competition?

In January 2010, the Jakarta Open at FX Senayan. I was a rookie back then. I solved three cubes out of four in 33:47, blindfolded. I won third place and I was the only female Indonesian on the podium. The second one was the Indonesian Championship in July 2010 at the Yogya Expo Center in Yogyakarta. I solved five cubes out of six in 47:55, breaking the women’s world record in the category multiple blindfolded and beating the former champion, Shelly Chang from the United States.

How did you get hooked on Rubik’s Cube?

I have a friend who brought the cube with him everywhere. He’s a cube freak. A year ago, I learned the beginner’s moves on the Internet and after that my friend taught me the blindfolded method, which is challenging. You have to remember around 300 steps. The first time I ever solved a single cube blindfolded it took me eight minutes. Now it takes me about two.

What does a Rubik’s Cube fan study in college?

I go to Kristen Duta Wacana University in Yogyakarta. I’m majoring in architecture; in my fifth semester now. I chose architecture because I’ve loved to draw ever since I was a little girl. And I always seem to be interested in geometrical shapes and objects like Rubik’s Cube — it’s so simple, yet sophisticated.

What else do you do when you’re not solving cubes or studying architecture?

Nothing [laughs]. Actually, I like to play online games and … do you know Pump It Up? It’s like Dance, Dance Revolution, the dancing game where you have to step on the right squares at the right time? I like that too.

Can you break down how you complete a cube if you’re blindfolded?

It is impossible if you don’t look at the cube before trying to solve it blindfolded. The first step is memorizing the colors of the cube piece by piece. Remember, you are not allowed to turn the cube. The next step is to put on the blindfold and do every single move perfectly — no mistakes. And there’s no peeking. Some people think we do that.

What’s more interesting to you, speed cubing or blindfold competition?

I’m seriously trying to focus on blindfolding. It is more challenging and gives me an indescribable satisfaction. You will know what I’m talking about if you ever complete a cube blindfolded.

What was the first cube you bought?

The Mirror Cube. It was love at the first sight. It was so beautiful and much more sophisticated than the regular cube. I’ve got five 3x3x3’s, one 2x2x2, one 4x4x4, and the mirror cube, so in total I have eight cubes. My favorite cube is the pink one. It seems that it was created specially for girls.

How many times a day do you practice solving cubes? Does it affect your study?

It’s all about time management and consistency. As I said, I always practice solving a single cube blindfolded every night before going to sleep. I do it about 10 times to improve my speed and accuracy. When I want to work on my multiple blindfolded technique — and to make sure I won’t be nervous when joining a competition with spectators present — I practice with friends from the Yogyakarta Rubik’s Cube Association in front of everybody at the mall. That association is a regional group of cubers in Yogyakarta.

Do you think more girls will get into Rubik’s Cubes?

I just hope that many more female cubers start to play blindfolded in Indonesia. So far, there are only four female Indonesians who compete in the blindfolded category.

What’s your next challenge?

I want to be the blindfolded champion in bigger-sized cube competitions, like the 4x4x4 and 5x5x5 cubes. I can master those bigger cubes at home now, but I’m not ready to compete. So far, the only woman who can solve a single 4x4x4 cube blindfolded, is Shelly Chang. And there aren’t any women who can solve the 5x5x5 cube blindfolded. I want to be the first in the world.