Rubik's Irish Championship FMC 2026

Twenty-two moves is an astonishingly small margin for error when solving a Rubik's Cube, let alone averaging that figure across three separate attempts. In events scored by a mean of three, a single miscalculation can completely derail a competitor's final standing. Unlike formats where the slowest times are removed, every single move counts toward the ultimate result. This unforgiving reality was fully displayed when twenty-three participants gathered for the Rubik's Irish Championship FMC 2026. Taking place at University College Dublin on July 11, 2026, the entire focus rested on one notoriously grueling event. Competitors needed profound spatial awareness and a mastery of block-building to conquer the 3x3x3 Fewest Moves discipline.

Hosting a dedicated cubing competition exclusively for fewest moves creates a distinctly quiet but intensely pressured environment. Attendees in Dublin, Ireland, spent their day not turning pieces at breakneck speeds, but staring at scrambled puzzles and mapping out solutions on paper. The challenge demands deep concentration, as participants have one hour per attempt to write down the shortest possible solution. Speedcubing usually involves rapid execution, but this specific WCA competition highlighted the cerebral extreme of the hobby. A single mistake in notation permanently impacts the mean score, making the mental endurance required for three consecutive rounds an enormous hurdle for everyone in the room.

Navigating this high-stakes format with precision, Ukrainian solver Nikita Grytsenko claimed the overall victory with a winning average of 22.00 moves. Grytsenko demonstrated incredible consistency across the three attempts, ensuring no single solve drifted into inefficient territory. Securing the top spot required absolute focus, as the field included several highly capable specialists. The performance was highlighted by an outstanding best single attempt of 18 moves, which established a new national record single for Ukraine. Such a low move count requires both a fortunate scramble and the immense skill to recognize the most optimal path, leaving no room for wasted rotations or redundant sequences.

Providing fierce competition for the top spot, Adam Bermingham delivered a historic performance for the local speed cubing community. Bermingham finished second overall, recording an impressive mean of 24.00 moves. This secured the silver position and established a new Irish national record average in the event. Furthermore, Bermingham matched Grytsenko's phenomenal single attempt by also submitting an 18-move solution during the day. That exceptional result earned Bermingham the national record single for Ireland, proving local talent could contend with international specialists. Overcoming the pressure of the mean-of-3 format, Bermingham showed exactly how to maximize scoring potential while avoiding costly late-stage errors.

Rounding out the international podium, Fabian Settelen of Switzerland secured third place with an average of 30.00 moves. Settelen maintained a steady approach throughout the three attempts, absorbing the pressure that inevitably builds when earlier results are locked in. The final standings showcased a diverse array of talent, with medals going to Ukraine, Ireland, and Switzerland. Earning a podium finish at a specialized event like the Rubik's Irish Championship FMC 2026 requires immense dedication to theoretical puzzle concepts, far beyond standard solving methods. Achieving a sub-thirty mean is a significant milestone, and Settelen precisely hit that mark to edge out the field.

The final 3x3 results from the University College Dublin venue reflected the brutal reality of the fewest moves discipline. Several participants found their averages dragged down by a single attempt that required significantly more moves than their baseline capability. Because there is no dropped worst score, any failure to find a clean continuation during the one-hour limit punishes the final mean drastically. This unforgiving dynamic makes the event highly respected among participants. The quiet intensity of the room served as a stark contrast to the typically loud and frenetic atmosphere of standard competitions.

By dedicating an entire competition to just one event, organizers provided a rare opportunity for specialists to test their limits under official conditions. The single-round structure meant there was no second chance to improve upon a poor performance later in the day. Every solver had exactly three attempts to prove their mastery, with combined results determining the final rankings. The records broken in Dublin highlight the continuing evolution of fewest moves techniques, as competitors push boundaries. The achievements of Grytsenko, Bermingham, and Settelen stand as a testament to the high level of technical proficiency required to conquer the mean-of-3 format.