Evanston Summer Big Cubes 2023

The competition hall inside the Technological Institute at Northwestern University was alive with intense focus and rhythmic clicking as solvers took their places on August 20, 2023. Rows of timers and stacked puzzles filled the tables while judges monitored each attempt. The one-day gathering drew 41 competitors to Evanston, Illinois, USA for a packed program across seven different disciplines, featuring 14 rounds of high-pressure turning.

Rapid development defined the action across all divisions at Evanston Summer Big Cubes 2023, where young solvers continue to cut down their times at an astonishing pace. From traditional twisty challenges to massive multi-layered puzzles, the speedcubing field demonstrated how sharp practice routines and relentless enthusiasm can produce massive breakthroughs over the course of a single tournament.

In the main event, Andrew Moy captured top honors in the 3x3x3 Cube, putting together a winning average of 7.40 and securing the round's best single of 6.67. Max Walaszek took the runner-up spot with an 8.31 mark, while Carter Thomas earned third with an 8.87 average. The 3x3 results across three intense rounds highlighted the fierce standard at the top of this cubing competition.

Carter Thomas enjoyed a standout day across multiple disciplines, securing victories in two distinct categories. Thomas won the 4x4x4 Cube with a 34.16 average and a best single of 27.24, edging out Andrew Moy at 34.63 and Max Walaszek at 34.98. Thomas also claimed victory in Square-1, posting an 11.88 average alongside an 8.33 single ahead of Walaszek and Lucas Lippman-Bruno.

Sheldon Rego staged a remarkable sweep of the largest puzzles on the schedule. Rego won the 5x5x5 Cube with a 56.57 average, captured the 6x6x6 Cube in 1:41.91, and finished off the treble by winning the 7x7x7 Cube with a 2:20.21 average. Max Walaszek mounted a strong challenge across each of these finals, placing in the top three of all three big cube events to cap an exceptionally versatile day of speed cubing.

Away from the top steps of the podium, several developing competitors delivered huge milestones. Melody Parker tackled all seven events at Evanston Summer Big Cubes 2023, logging a first ever attempt at 7x7x7 Cube in 5:50.90 alongside maiden attempts in 2x2x2 Cube and Square-1. Xavier Lee took on seven events as well, posting a 2:20.62 in his first 5x5x5 Cube try and reaching sixth place in Square-1. Izaak Webb cut his 2x2x2 Cube personal best in half with a 3.81 single, improving by 50 percent while also making a first 5x5x5 Cube attempt in 3:18.74. Justin R. Salomon delivered a 26.2 percent improvement on 2x2x2 Cube with a 6.74 single and logged a first 6x6x6 Cube mark of 7:51.56.

Daniel Perez entered seven events, making first attempts at 4x4x4 Cube in 56.81, 6x6x6 Cube in 3:37.13, and 7x7x7 Cube in 7:13.35. Ethan Glynn improved his 4x4x4 Cube personal best by 26.3 percent with a 1:00.89 single and also registered a first 7x7x7 Cube attempt of 5:20.56. Jamin Titus Kuwitzky dropped his 3x3x3 Cube personal best by 26.3 percent to 8.92 and posted a first 5x5x5 Cube time of 1:53.09. Carter DeWitt brought major progress to the classic Rubik's Cube with a 13.70 single, 30.4 percent faster than before, paired with a 32.7 percent improvement on 4x4x4 Cube at 1:11.93.

The 2x2x2 Cube division featured a blistering finale that saw Kevin Casey claim the title with a 2.01 average and a 1.22 single, narrowly holding off Max Walaszek at 2.05 and Ellery Dillon at 2.32. Across the 14 rounds, competitors from the United States gathered 18 podium spots while India secured three podium finishes.

As the final timers reset at the close of Evanston Summer Big Cubes 2023, the event reinforced how rapidly talent is rising through the ranks. Each WCA competition provides a stage for breakthrough singles and personal milestones, and this August weekend in Illinois showcased a vibrant field ready to push solve times lower in future seasons.