Georgia September Open 2023

Tamar Dolenjishvili delivered an exceptional performance on the big puzzles at the Georgia September Open 2023, cracking the sub-minute barrier with a 59.86 single on the 5x5x5 Cube to secure victory with a 1:05.25 average. Taming the 5x5x5 puzzle demands relentless physical endurance, deep algorithmic control, and intense mental stamina over dozens of intricate turns. In a compact field of dedicated competitors, that mastery set the tone for the entire gathering, proving that handling the complex layers of larger cubes remains one of the ultimate tests in speedcubing.

Held on September 10, 2023, at College Barakoni in Tbilisi, Georgia, the Georgia September Open 2023 brought together 13 competitors across 8 events and 12 total rounds of competition. The single-day WCA competition showcased a versatile schedule ranging from lightning-fast side events to demanding multidimensional puzzles. Across every division, local solvers from Georgia locked in all 24 available podium spots, demonstrating consistent sharpness and depth across the board during a packed day of tournament action in the capital.

Beyond the grueling 5x5x5 Cube victory, Dolenjishvili asserted complete control across multiple formats throughout the weekend. In the 4x4x4 Cube, another test of sustained focus and edge pairing, Dolenjishvili claimed the title with an average of 30.56 and a stunning best single of 22.81. Giorgi Minasiani followed in second place with a 37.99 average, while Vako Marchilashvili rounded out the top three at 38.13, highlighting the depth of talent navigating the larger multi-layered hardware.

The premier 3x3 results saw Dolenjishvili capture the classic Rubik's Cube crown by recording an impressive winning average of 7.98 alongside a single solve of 6.84 across two competitive rounds. The race for the top spot was extraordinarily tight, with Giorgi Minasiani finishing just behind with an 8.04 average and Vako Marchilashvili taking third place with an 8.68 mark. Dolenjishvili added a fourth victory to the tally in Skewb, putting together a winning average of 3.37 ahead of Andro Gvaramadze at 5.19.

Giorgi Minasiani engineered several standout victories of his own throughout the competition. In the 3x3x3 One-Handed event, Minasiani locked up first place with a 15.57 average, matching Dolenjishvili on identical 15.57 averages but edging ahead in the standings, while Andro Gvaramadze secured third at 17.94. Minasiani also swept the Pyraminx field over two rounds, setting a winning average of 2.49 and a rapid single of 2.21 to lead Gvaramadze and Dolenjishvili on the podium.

Away from the top steps of the podium, the Georgia September Open 2023 saw incredible personal milestones from dedicated solvers across the roster. Mikheil Kapanadze entered four events and posted a massive breakthrough in the 3x3x3 Cube, cutting down a previous personal best of 22.92 to 15.20 for an improvement of 33.7 percent, alongside tackling a first career attempt in 3x3x3 One-Handed with a 48.30 single. Daniel Mamonov entered two events and registered a first attempt in 2x2x2 Cube with a 6.19 mark while chopping 9.3 percent off his 3x3x3 personal best down to 20.38. Ketevan Feradze tackled six events, achieving a fourth-place finish in Pyraminx with a 3.60 personal best that was 29.3 percent faster than before, and logging a first Megaminx attempt of 3:31.60.

The progress continued across every discipline as more solvers pushed their personal ceilings at this speed cubing showcase. Luka Subari took on a demanding schedule of seven events, taking sixth place in the 5x5x5 Cube with a first attempt of 2:24.67, logging a first Megaminx result of 2:24.44, and improving his 3x3x3 One-Handed best to 21.13. Ana Marchilashvili entered five events, earning an eighth-place finish in Skewb and dropping her 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best by 18.2 percent to 2:18.49. Meanwhile, Nikolozi Amichba made an official debut at their first WCA tournament, successfully logging initial competition solves of 13.32 on Pyraminx and 52.19 on the 3x3x3 Cube.

The sprint events and unique dodecahedral challenges delivered high-speed drama to close out the schedule. Vako Marchilashvili dominated the 2x2x2 Cube with an electric winning average of 1.56 and a 1.40 single, finishing ahead of Nino Zguladze at 2.49 and Minasiani at 3.12. In Megaminx, Dachi Tevdorashvili mastered the twelve-sided puzzle with a winning average of 1:09.76 and a best single of 1:04.14, clear of Minasiani and Dolenjishvili.

With 12 rounds of intense solving concluded in Tbilisi, the Georgia September Open 2023 highlighted both the endurance required for the largest puzzles and the agility needed for the fastest sprints. From decisive multidimensional victories to meaningful personal milestones for every participant, the cubing competition served as a comprehensive display of regional dedication that sets a bright foundation for the upcoming season.