Bristol Winter Open 2024

Inside the Anson Rooms on December 14, 2024, the atmosphere buzzed with intense concentration and the distinct clatter of turning mechanisms. The single-day fixture brought together 67 competitors in Bristol, City of Bristol, United Kingdom, tackling a dense programme spanning six disciplines and seven rounds. Across the tables, participants prepared their minds and hands for a day filled with sharp turns, tactical inspections, and varied puzzle mechanics in the heart of the South West.

While the standard puzzle always draws attention, the unique demands of the specialty formats took centre stage early. Blindfolded solving demands sheer memory discipline combined with flawless execution, and Thomas Bevan met that challenge decisively. Bevan topped the 3x3x3 Blindfolded field of 29 competitors with a winning single time of 1:02.53, leading an all-British podium where AJ Nicholls secured second place in 1:16.25 and Oliver Wheat claimed third in 1:19.96.

The shape-shifting mechanics of Square-1 delivered another technical masterclass at this cubing competition. Liu Yik Yung of Hong Kong demonstrated extraordinary precision, capturing the title across a field of 27 solvers with a winning average of 8.72 seconds, complemented by a rapid best single of 6.91 seconds. Austin Ritchie of the United Kingdom took the second podium spot with an average of 10.67 seconds, while Dorian Chan of Hong Kong rounded out the top three with an average of 10.89 seconds.

One-handed solving pushed dexterity to the limit, demanding specialized finger ergonomics from 50 entrants. Toby Palmer earned the top honour in 3x3x3 One-Handed, recording a solid winning average of 14.83 seconds and a best single of 13.26 seconds. The contest remained exceptionally close at the summit, as Ivo Morley finished runner-up with an average of 14.93 seconds, just ahead of Xavier Austin who took third with an average of 16.50 seconds in an all-United Kingdom podium sweep.

Beyond the podium battles, significant milestones were reached across the tables by determined competitors. Youngmin Yoon tackled four events and delivered a massive breakthrough in 3x3x3 One-Handed, setting a personal best of 30.06 seconds that shaved 46.7 percent off their previous mark, alongside making a first ever attempt in the main cube with a 14.47 single. Zakariyya Adegun also achieved huge progress, cutting 46.4 percent off their classic Rubik's Cube benchmark with a personal best of 15.39 seconds and making their first ever attempt at one-handed solving with a 42.99. Rowan Davey took on a heavy slate of six events, notching a Square-1 personal best of 26.91 seconds to improve by 38.2 percent, a one-handed personal best of 25.08, and their first ever attempt at 5x5x5 Cube in 1:57.76. Alex Silvester impressed in the main event by lowering their personal best by 13.8 percent to 9.34 seconds on the way to a 12th-place finish, while also attempting 4x4x4 Cube and 5x5x5 Cube for the first time.

The progression continued with Max Joseph, who entered six disciplines and secured a 4th-place finish in 5x5x5 Cube with a first-time mark of 1:06.75, while improving their standard cube single by 21.8 percent to 7.44 seconds. Aamir Adegun registered a 23.8 percent drop to set a 15.37 personal best in the 3x3x3 Cube and posted a first one-handed attempt of 29.88. Liam Pintat tackled six events, securing 4th place in blindfolded solving while recording debut competition marks in one-handed, Square-1, and 4x4x4 Cube. Fresh faces also marked their very first WCA competition at the event, including Adam Geller, who entered four events, earned 11th place in blindfolded solving, and completed initial attempts across three other disciplines including a 15.36 in the traditional event.

The big cubes featured world-class speedcubing demonstrations by Daniel Chiu, who dominated both extended formats. In 4x4x4 Cube, Chiu took first place with a 28.48 average and a best single of 25.28, finishing ahead of Toby Palmer at 34.07 and Thomas Bevan at 34.72. Chiu repeated his winning formula in the 5x5x5 Cube, breaking the minute barrier with a winning average of 57.93 seconds and a sharp 49.84 single. Daniel Evans took second place with a 1:04.43 average, followed by Bevan in third at 1:06.97.

The classic puzzle concluded the schedule as 65 solvers battled across two rounds to decide the 3x3 results. Thomas Bevan completed a remarkable multi-podium day by clinching the main title with a winning average of 8.81 seconds and a day-best single of 6.37. Toby Palmer followed in second place with an average of 9.23 seconds, while Klyment Diachun of Ukraine took third on the podium with an average of 9.40 seconds.

By the close of the Bristol Winter Open 2024, competitors from the United Kingdom had collected 13 podium places, Hong Kong earned four, and Ukraine secured one. The single-day speed cubing tournament wrapped up having tested the full spectrum of solving disciplines, leaving participants with memorable individual milestones to celebrate at the end of the 2024 campaign.