FMC Anglo America 2023

A single move can make or break a title run when competitors face the unforgiving format of a mean of three. At FMC Anglo America 2023, Krish Shah-Nathwani secured the top spot in 3x3x3 Fewest Moves with a winning average of 23.00, highlighted by a sharp best single of 21. Matching that exact 23.00 average move for move across the board, fellow American Lewis Isom claimed second place in an extraordinarily tight finish. James Quinn completed the sweep for the United States, taking third place with a solid 23.67 average across his three attempts.

Held across Multiple Cities, XN on March 18, 2023, the event gathered 70 competitors for an intensive, simultaneous test of spatial efficiency and methodical planning. Unlike standard speedcubing events where the timer ticks down in fractions of a second, the discipline of fewest moves demands deep analysis within a fixed time window. With all three attempts counting directly toward the final score, any single misstep, calculation flaw, or missed insertion instantly destroys an entire podium campaign. Every competitor felt that pressure across the single high-stakes round of this specialized cubing competition.

The harsh reality of the mean-of-3 format was evident throughout the upper tiers of the standings. Several prominent solvers turned in blistering individual solutions but missed out on complete averages. Will Callan delivered an exceptional 22 single, and Aedan Bryant logged an impressive 23 single, yet both walked away with an average marked as DNF due to an incomplete attempt. Luke Zhang from Canada experienced the same razor-thin margin, logging a 69 single alongside a DNF average. The format leaves zero room for error, requiring sustained accuracy on every scramble.

Other competitors managed to hold their lines across all three attempts to post complete averages. Hassan Khanani recorded a 31 single on the way to a 33.67 average, while Eric Pesci matched that 31 single to finish with a 34.33 average. Panashe Sharma navigated the round with a best single of 38 and an average of 38.67. Jeffrey Li posted a 38 single and a 39.00 average, and James Chea concluded his attempts with a 33 single and a 39.33 average. TJ Kelly achieved a 45 single and a 55.67 average.

The deeper stories of FMC Anglo America 2023 were written by solvers who found major breakthroughs away from the podium spotlight. David B. Militante delivered a standout performance, setting a personal best single of 34 moves, which improved upon his previous career mark of 42 by 19 percent, while securing a 21st-place finish. Richard Hyrum Weber also found a strong new benchmark, lowering his personal best to 47 moves, a 7.8 percent reduction from his prior standard of 51, finishing in 35th place. These substantial improvements rewarded their analytical work on the Rubik's Cube.

For many participants, the gathering provided the perfect opportunity to make their initial mark in the discipline. Max Fairbanks entered the event and produced a 30 in his first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Fewest Moves, earning a 44th-place finish. Evan Chin tackled the discipline for the first time as well, recording a first attempt of 34 for 47th place. Amahl Weinstein Agrawal registered a 38 on his maiden attempt to finish 51st, while Lawrence Zhao scored a 43 on his first attempt to claim 54th place. Somil Varshney posted a 45 on his opening try for 55th, and Matthew Tender submitted a 47 to take 56th.

The weekend also served as an entry point into the wider world of speed cubing for newcomers. Daniel Kabutey and Ryan Valerio each attended their first WCA competition, joining the field alongside international competitors like Vietnam's Thomas Đặng Hoàng Thịnh, with each finishing tied for 63rd place. Across the entire roster, solvers embraced the quiet concentration required to unlock the most efficient paths possible. Whether making an official debut or chasing personal milestones, the participants demonstrated the depth of talent throughout the region.

With all three podium spots claimed by solvers from the United States, FMC Anglo America 2023 delivered a masterclass in calculated precision and patience. The 3x3 results from this round highlighted both the technical artistry of the event and the brutal consequences of a single slip in a mean-of-3 contest. As the 2023 season moves forward across the international circuit, the standard for fewest-move efficiency continues to climb higher, leaving competitors motivated to shave every possible move from their solutions in the battles ahead.