SOLVING the Rubik's Cube puzzle has frustrated millions, but a Melbourne schoolboy reckons he's mastered it.

Feliks Zemdegs, 13, has become a whiz at cracking the cube after watching a tutorial on YouTube.

His best time is eight seconds, just shy of the second world record of 7.08secs set by Dutchman Erik Akkersdijk last year.

But Feliks's time is unofficial because he hasn't had a chance to compete in events sanctioned by the international Rubik's body, the World Cube Association.

However, next month Feliks heads to Wellington for the New Zealand championships, where he hopes to make his name.

"I think I'll go pretty well. I'll break the Australian record, hopefully," he said yesterday.

Feliks, who's in year 8 at St Kevin's College, is part of a small but committed network of cube enthusiasts who chat regularly on the internet and meet for competitions. Feliks is one of the youngest "cubers", and one of the fastest.

Dad Davids admitted his son had an obsession.

"It can be annoying while he's trying to solve a cube at the dinner table or while we're watching TV," he said.

"He seems to have it glued to his hands.

"But it's a harmless obsession, as long as it doesn't affect his homework, sport and music practice."

For Feliks, it's just a hobby.

"There's lots of different events and things on at the moment," he said.

"(But the novelty) will wear off in a while."

The NZ championships are on July 18 and Australian cubers hope to organise their own national competition later this year.

Originally published as Solving puzzling art of cubism