New England FMC Warmup 2023

Ten competitors gathered at the Erving Public Library on October 1, 2023, for a tournament focused entirely on the art of puzzle analysis. Instead of the frantic pace seen in standard speedcubing contests, this dedicated cubing competition centered on the strategic discipline of solving in as few turns as possible. The single-day gathering brought solvers to Erving, Massachusetts, USA, for an intense exploration of efficiency across multiple attempts.

The New England FMC Warmup 2023 offered a pure test of solving economy, staging two full rounds in a single event. In this style of WCA competition, each entrant is handed a scramble on paper and given an hour to write down a complete, valid solution. Efficiency replaces rapid turning, transforming the familiar Rubik's Cube into a quiet battle of planning, blockbuilding, and insertion techniques.

Krish Shah-Nathwani delivered the standout performance of the day, securing the title with a winning average of 23.33 turns in 3x3x3 Fewest Moves. Shah-Nathwani also posted the best single result of the entire contest, finding a remarkably short 22-move solution during the rounds. His composed play across all attempts earned him the top spot on the podium against a talented field of specialists.

Levi Gibson kept the pressure high throughout the rounds, claiming the runner-up position on the podium with an average of 25.00 turns. Gibson demonstrated remarkable consistency, matching the top tier with strong single attempts that kept the contest tightly contested until the final submission. Saisabari Ramesh captured third place with an average of 34.67 turns, rounding out the all-United States podium in the specialized event.

Away from the top three, several competitors marked notable milestones in their competitive journeys. Elijah Rain Phelps, attending their 90th competition, entered the event and recorded a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Fewest Moves with a solid 34-move single, on their way to a best finish of 6th place overall. Jacob Thomann also tackled the discipline for the first time in 43 career competitions, securing a 48-move single in their first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Fewest Moves.

Other experienced solvers expanded their records during the event in Erving. Will Russo took on the singular challenge to earn a best finish of 4th place in 3x3x3 Fewest Moves, building on experience from 169 career tournaments. Tommy Szeliga entered the competition to lock down a best finish of 5th place in the event, while Evan Liu completed the contingent with a best finish of 7th place across the rounds.

The analytical nature of the contest showcased a different side of the speed cubing world, where competitors systematically dissect the cube's state to minimize moves. Finding efficient paths requires deep knowledge of commutators, skeleton building, and edge orientations. Every decision counts, and the calm environment at the library allowed participants to focus entirely on every rotation and slice turn.

Across the two rounds of action, the tournament demonstrated the unique appeal of specialized disciplines within the global community. The New England FMC Warmup 2023 highlighted how deep preparation and patient study can produce extraordinary solutions on standard mechanical puzzles. Solvers departed Erving with new 3x3 results logged into the official ledger, concluding a successful day of focused problem-solving.