Rudny Open 2025

Nikita Popkov scorched the timer with an emphatic 2.33 winning average in the 2x2x2 Cube final, setting an electrifying benchmark in Rudny, Kazakhstan. The blistering sprint performance capped a weekend packed with world-class turning speed and tactical precision across short-format puzzles. Over three days of intense tournament play from November 14 to November 16, competitors gathered at the Voshod venue for a relentless schedule of solving action. The 2025 gathering brought fast hands and sharp eyes to the forefront as the speed events set a commanding tempo.

The 3x3x3 Cube contest produced its own high-octane drama as Damir Zhanataev captured top honors with a stellar 9.04 winning average. The classic Rubik's Cube category featured a field of 10 competitors across two rigorous rounds of play. Zhanataev held off tough competition from Yerasyl Bolysbek, who locked in second place with an average of 9.50, and Popkov, who completed the podium in third at 9.94. The definitive 3x3 results demonstrated remarkable consistency under pressure, highlighted by Zhanataev finding a tournament-best single solve of 7.52 seconds.

In the 2x2x2 Cube event, Popkov set the pace from start to finish among the eight competitors who advanced through two rounds. Popkov delivered a single solve of 1.65 seconds alongside his decisive 2.33 average to claim victory. Zhanataev followed in second position with an average of 4.15, while Danil Zuev earned third place with a mark of 5.37. The rapid-fire discipline tested raw turning speed and fingertip dexterity, providing an ideal showcase for the fastest formats in modern speedcubing.

Beyond the standard two-handed races, Zhanataev displayed his versatility in the 3x3x3 One-Handed event, securing another victory with a 13.81 winning average. His performance featured an impressive best single solve of 11.47 seconds across the two rounds. Popkov chased closely to take second place with an average of 14.33, while Bolysbek secured third on the podium with a 16.77 average. The single-handed discipline required exceptional grip strength and table-sliding technique, adding another layer of skill to the competitive speed cubing landscape.

Zhanataev also conquered the 4x4x4 Cube division, leading the eight-player field across two rounds with a sharp 33.56 winning average and a best single time of 31.52 seconds. Popkov took the runner-up spot with an average of 35.42, while Zuev claimed third place with a solid 35.96 mark. Meanwhile, Alan Suslov made his mark in the Clock event, navigating two rounds against eight competitors to win with a 6.03 average and a tournament-best single of 4.28 seconds.

Behind the top podium spots, several competitors delivered massive personal breakthroughs that highlighted the depth of the weekend. Adilkhan Tuktar slashed his 3x3x3 Cube personal best down to 11.42 seconds, an astounding 42.4 percent improvement from his prior 19.84 mark, while also taking on his first ever attempt at 5x5x5 Cube in 4:56.39. Lev Golaev entered 11 events, achieving a Clock personal best of 10.16 seconds that was 21.1 percent faster than his previous best, while also logging first-time attempts in Megaminx at 2:23.58 and One-Handed at 40.23. Fedor Danilovich tackled 12 events, achieving a best finish of fifth in 6x6x6 Cube alongside debut attempts in 7x7x7 Cube at 9:37.66, One-Handed at 55.19, and Skewb at 12.97.

Popkov expanded his dominance across the larger mechanisms and side events, capturing victories in 5x5x5 Cube with a 1:00.93 average, 6x6x6 Cube in 1:52.54, and 7x7x7 Cube in 2:53.23. He further demonstrated his mastery by winning Megaminx with a 56.95 average, Pyraminx with a 4.74 average, Skewb at 4.44, and Square-1 with a 12.89 average. In the 3x3x3 Fewest Moves discipline, Popkov took first place with a 26.00 average, followed by Zhanataev at 42.00 and Suslov at 56.67.

The blindfolded categories offered an exceptional test of memory and spatial awareness, with Popkov sweeping every event on the schedule. He captured the 3x3x3 Blindfolded title with a rapid single of 19.72 seconds, placed first in 4x4x4 Blindfolded with a 5:08.85 solve, and won the 5x5x5 Blindfolded discipline in 15:53.00. Popkov also prevailed in 3x3x3 Multi-Blind, successfully resolving 20 of 21 cubes within a time of 56:28, ahead of Zhanataev who solved 4 of 4 cubes in 17:41.

Across 17 events and 29 rounds of competition, the gathering proved to be a comprehensive celebration of puzzle solving. Competitors representing Russia and Kazakhstan shared the podiums, with Russian entrants claiming 28 podium places and Kazakhstan competitors collecting 21. The complete World Cube Association sanctioned program showcased both lightning-fast speed solves and methodical long-form disciplines. Rudny Open 2025 concluded as a memorable cubing competition, leaving participants ready to build upon their successes in upcoming stops on the regional circuit.