Oskemen Open 2024

Twenty competitors assembled at Amanzholov University over the weekend of January 20 to January 21 for two days of dedicated speedcubing at Oskemen Open 2024. Across 15 rounds of competition in Oskemen, Kazakhstan, solvers took on 10 separate disciplines ranging from standard three-layered twisty puzzles to complex multi-layered challenges. The compact field of speed cubing entrants moved through an ambitious schedule that tested endurance, consistency, and raw solving velocity in the 2024 opener for the region.

Saturday set the stage with preliminary heats and several direct finals, establishing the tone for the entire cubing competition. Andrey Che emerged as the central figure of the weekend, setting high benchmarks in every category he touched. Che secured top honours in the classic Rubik's Cube with a 7.12 winning average and the best single time of the meet at 6.76 seconds across two rounds of 19 competitors. The final 3x3 results underscored Che's technical precision under tournament conditions.

The multi-layered puzzles on the weekend timeline saw Che extend his command further. In the 4x4x4 Cube, Che claimed first place with a 29.33 average and a single of 28.18, leading Kazakhstan's Damir Zhanataev who took second in 37.90 and Daniyal Suleimen in third with 38.47. Moving to the 5x5x5 Cube, Che posted a winning average of 58.64 along with a 56.35 single. Suleimen earned second place with an average of 1:14.44, while Zhanataev finished third with 1:23.60.

Che's winning momentum continued seamlessly into the shorter formats and specialty disciplines. In the 2x2x2 Cube, Che captured victory with a 2.58 average and a 1.07 single, followed on the podium by Zhanataev with 3.58 and Alisher Isagaliev with 5.42. Che also topped the Pyraminx standings with a 3.29 average, took Skewb with a 4.63 average ahead of Zhanataev's 6.33 and Suleimen's 6.59, and triumphed in 3x3x3 One-Handed with an average of 10.14.

Beyond the top podium steps, the competition featured meaningful milestones across the roster. Sanzhar Abishev made significant strides at the table, taking on three events and delivering a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 20.12 seconds, cutting 60.1% off his previous mark, while also registering a first ever attempt in 2x2x2 Cube with an 8.43 single and in 3x3x3 One-Handed at 1:01.89. Dias Sapar entered seven disciplines, achieving a personal best of 48.89 in 4x4x4 Cube that was 29% faster than before, alongside first attempts in Megaminx at 2:39.89 and 5x5x5 Cube at 2:30.43 to earn a 4th-place finish in 3x3x3 One-Handed. Aldiyar Mussin completed eight events, recording first attempts in Skewb with a 10.69 single, 5x5x5 Cube in 5:26.43, and Megaminx in 3:34.51. Mansur Serikov improved his Skewb mark to a personal best of 4.84, an improvement of 21.4%, on his way to 4th in Megaminx.

Several newcomers and international travellers also made their mark throughout the schedule. Qairat Akhmetbek attended their first WCA competition and entered five events, recording initial times of 59.36 in 3x3x3 Cube, 20.94 in 2x2x2 Cube, and 4:27.40 in Megaminx. Slaikovskii Yaroslav stepped onto the official stage for the first time across three events, posting initial attempts of 11.45 in Pyraminx, 1:52.68 in 4x4x4 Cube, and 23.86 in 3x3x3 Cube. Arseny Fatkin completed their debut appearance with a 10.98 in 2x2x2 Cube and 28.43 in 3x3x3 Cube, while Arman Sakan took on 5x5x5 Cube for the first time to record 5:48.71 and secure 11th place.

Sunday's schedule also highlighted specialist puzzle formats where other competitors broke through to top honours. Daniyal Suleimen captured two major event victories, beginning with a triumph in Megaminx where he logged an average of 45.57 and a single of 43.86 to edge out Che's 45.87 average, with Zhanataev placing third in 1:20.03. Suleimen followed up with a win in Square-1, finishing on an average of 21.73 and a single of 13.89 ahead of Zhanataev in 37.44 and Madi Mergazy in 46.10.

The 3x3x3 Blindfolded discipline concluded the individual specialty events, an exercise requiring total memorisation before solving without sight. Damir Zhanataev stood as the sole entrant in the category and delivered a successful single of 1:52.01 to secure first place. Across the entire program, host nation competitors from Kazakhstan accumulated 20 podium finishes, alongside 8 podium places captured by Russian representation.

As the final timers stopped on Sunday afternoon, Oskemen Open 2024 drew to a close with seven victories credited to Andrey Che, two to Daniyal Suleimen, and one to Damir Zhanataev. The gathering at Amanzholov University showcased both seasoned regional speedcubers executing sub-minute solves on big cubes and newer competitors establishing their official benchmark times, setting a high standard for the competitive year ahead.