Kansas Holiday Cube-Off PM 2023

Alexander Wheeler delivered a masterclass in blindfolded solving on December 2, 2023, capturing four separate titles including a remarkable 11 out of 13 cubes in 3x3x3 Multi-Blind. Held at Hope Community Church in Andover, Kansas, USA, the gathering brought specialized solvers together for an intensive afternoon of memory and spatial dexterity. Across the day, competitors pushed their limits in events demanding immense concentration, with Wheeler setting the benchmark across small-cube and big-cube blind categories alike.

A tight roster of 4 competitors took part in the Kansas Holiday Cube-Off PM 2023, creating an unusually intimate dynamic where every participant had to bring peak consistency to secure top honors. In a field of this size, there was no room to hide, as each entrant faced direct head-to-head competition across five events and five single-stage rounds. The focused atmosphere allowed the technical disciplines to take center stage, giving the regional speedcubing community an uncompromising test of endurance and memory.

The 3x3x3 Blindfolded contest proved to be one of the most compelling battles on the schedule. Wheeler claimed victory with an average of 1:27.07, anchored by a best single solve of 1:07.17. Ben Erwin mounted a strong challenge, posting a best single of 1:37.90 to secure the second spot on the podium, though an uncompleted attempt left him with a DNF average. Dan Smith rounded out the podium in third position, registering a single time of 7:42.52 in an event where memorization accuracy is just as crucial as turning speed.

Multi-cube memorization pushed the competitors even further during the 3x3x3 Multi-Blind round. Wheeler took top honours by successfully solving 11 of his 13 attempted puzzles within a time of 55:50, demonstrating exceptional endurance under the strict 60-minute time limit. Erwin gave chase with an ambitious 15-cube attempt, managing 10 solved puzzles in 53:46 to take second place. Smith entered the fray as well but finished with a DNF, illustrating the unforgiving nature of managing dozens of Rubik's Cube states simultaneously.

Blindfolded solving extended into larger puzzles, where internal parity errors and thousands of piece configurations multiply the difficulty. In the 4x4x4 Blindfolded discipline, Wheeler was the lone competitor to record a successful solve, taking first place with a single time of 9:29.61 after Erwin logged a DNF. Both participants registered DNF averages across their attempts, underlining the narrow margins for error when tackling big-cube blindfolded events at a recognized cubing competition.

The 5x5x5 Blindfolded competition proved equally grueling for the two-person field. Wheeler once again emerged victorious, successfully completing a solve in 19:35.00 to complete a clean sweep of every blindfolded category offered at the tournament. Erwin was unable to log a successful time in the round, leaving Wheeler as the sole finisher in an event that requires memorizing dozens of center pieces, wing edges, and corners without visual confirmation.

Stepping away from the blindfolded events, the 7x7x7 Cube provided a showcase of raw turning speed and stamina. Lydia Workman delivered the standout performance of the event, capturing first place with an average of 2:47.49 and a fastest single solve of 2:41.39. Workman set a blistering pace on the largest NxN puzzle of the day, finishing well clear of the field. Wheeler added to his medal tally by taking second place with an average of 4:18.90, while Smith placed third with an average of 9:23.33.

The Kansas Holiday Cube-Off PM 2023 concluded as a comprehensive demonstration of specialized speed cubing disciplines in Andover, Kansas. Across all 5 events, United States competitors captured all 13 podium positions awarded during the meet. While traditional speedsolving programs often highlight standard speed rounds, this WCA competition provided a rare spotlight on big cubes and blindfold mastery.

With its challenging lineup of long-form events, the Kansas Holiday Cube-Off PM 2023 highlighted the intense preparation required to compete at the highest technical levels of the sport. Every entrant played a direct role in shaping the podiums, creating a compact yet fiercely contested gathering. As the 2023 calendar drew to a close, the weekend demonstrated that blindfolded solving and massive puzzles remain among the most demanding tests in speedcubing, offering a distinctive contrast to standard 3x3 results.