M Moves in Middlebury 2024

A blistering 1.11 second final average on the 2x2x2 Cube by Curtis Chai set an electric tone at Memorial Middle School on October 19, 2024. That lightning-quick display became the standout performance in a tournament defined by its wide range of twisting challenges. Across five distinct disciplines, 96 competitors arrived in Middlebury, Connecticut, USA to test their dexterity on everything from traditional twisty puzzles to non-cubic designs. The one-day gathering showcased the breadth of modern speedcubing, offering high-stakes rounds across nine total stages of play.

The action at M Moves in Middlebury 2024 moved far beyond the classic Rubik's Cube format, engaging entrants across shapes of varying complexity. Puzzles ranged from the compact geometry of the 2x2x2 to the layered depth of the 4x4x4 Cube, alongside the distinct turning dynamics of the Pyraminx and the mechanical precision of Clock. With competitors moving seamlessly between mechanical mechanisms and standard NxN cubes, the cubing competition celebrated all corners of the sport. Every discipline brought its own strategic demands, requiring athletes to rapidly pivot their visual recognition and finger techniques throughout the busy schedule.

In the flagship 3x3x3 Cube event, 95 competitors battled through three rounds of intense solving before Jacob Schwartz secured the title. Schwartz registered a winning average of 6.86 seconds in the final, bolstered by a best single of 6.16 seconds. The podium battle stayed exceptionally close, with Timothy Yang claiming second place on a 7.07 average and Curtis Chai taking third with a 7.22 mark. The tight margins underlined the fierce standard of play among the finalists, producing some of the sharpest 3x3 results seen in the region all year.

Chai proved to be a formidable contender across the program, turning his 2x2x2 triumph into the foundation of a massive individual medal collection. Alongside his 1.11 winning average and 0.88 best single in the 2x2x2 final, Chai placed second behind Quinn Maloney in the preliminary stage. In the final, Maloney took the runner-up spot with a 1.68 average, while Eli Rogers captured third at 1.69. Chai would also mount the podium in the 4x4x4 and Clock events, highlighting his adaptability across different hardware formats.

The specialized events produced equally compelling outcomes. In 4x4x4 Cube, Cameron Soulagnet outperformed a field of 67 competitors, capturing first place with a 29.23 average and a tournament-best single of 27.42 seconds. Chai followed in second at 31.77, while Timothy Yang took third with 32.76. Clock solving saw Clem Tucker navigate two rounds of gear alignments against 60 competitors, winning the final with a 3.69 average and a 3.14 single. Ethan Zhuang finished second on 4.25, and Chai rounded out the top three at 4.47. Pyraminx delivered a photo finish as Yuki Nagai edged David Andron-Silva on countback after both recorded identical 2.41 averages, with Jacob Schwartz finishing third at 3.07.

Away from the podium battles, several competitors achieved remarkable milestones in Middlebury. Aryan Shinde chopped huge margins off prior marks, lowering his 2x2x2 personal best to 2.88 seconds, which was 62.5 percent faster than his previous standard of 7.67, alongside a 15.38 personal best in 3x3x3. Nikolaus Wirth delivered a massive breakthrough with a 4.74 mark in 2x2x2, an improvement of 60.1 percent, while also setting new personal bests of 14.09 in 3x3x3 and 11.91 in Pyraminx. Leonardo X. Lazzara improved his Pyraminx record by 57.4 percent down to 4.10 seconds and took on his first official 4x4x4 attempt, recording 46.06 to finish 19th.

First-time event entries and dramatic personal gains continued throughout the middle of the field. Sriaarush Vaddadi took on Clock for the first time with a 13.48 effort, Pyraminx with a 5.95, and improved his 2x2x2 personal best by 43.3 percent to 4.11 seconds. Eliseo Javier Alarcon tackled his first Clock attempt in 23.35, his first 4x4x4 in 1:12.42, and improved his Pyraminx personal best to 7.08. Nicholas David Rios recorded a first Pyraminx solve of 8.71 while cutting his 2x2x2 mark by 40.4 percent to 2.40. Angel Andres Hernandez logged a first 2x2x2 attempt of 6.10 and improved his Pyraminx best to 8.65. Alexander Laskin debuted in both 4x4x4 and Pyraminx while lowering his 2x2x2 time to 3.14 seconds.

The full slate of nine rounds proved how dynamic a regional speed cubing weekend can be when multiple puzzle formats share the stage. United States competitors secured all fifteen podium positions across the five official events, demonstrating depth in both classic cubic categories and specialty hardware. With smooth organization across every stage, M Moves in Middlebury 2024 concluded as a complete celebration of diverse puzzle handling, setting a high standard for future WCA competition weekends.