Save Ramir Cubing Kazakhstan 2023

The competition hall at School #157 was filled with an array of geometric shapes across every table, from traditional cubes to multi-faceted dodecahedrons and mechanical dials. Competitors gathered to test their skills across 12 different disciplines, spanning 19 rounds of intense problem-solving over two packed days. Save Ramir Cubing Kazakhstan 2023 welcomed a vibrant field to Almaty, Kazakhstan, turning the venue into a celebration of spatial dexterity from March 25 to March 26, 2023.

Across the full programme, the sheer variety of events challenged entrants to adapt their turning mechanics and mental preparation on the fly. The lineup stretched from rapid sprint events to intricate endurance formats, demanding mastery over vastly different mechanisms. A total of 73 competitors took part in the weekend action, navigating everything from standard Rubik's Cube rounds to blindfolded memory trials and fewest moves challenges.

Andrey Che delivered a masterclass across multiple categories, capturing first place in six separate disciplines. In the 3x3x3 Cube, where 70 competitors took to the tables across three rounds, Che secured top honours with a winning average of 7.10 seconds alongside a single of 5.64. Abylai Orazalin followed closely in second place with a 7.22 average, while Chyngyz Sultanbekov claimed third with 7.29 to round out an exceptional set of 3x3 results in the premier division.

Che extended his authority well beyond the classic puzzle, taking the 2x2x2 Cube with an average of 2.04 seconds, ahead of Anatolii Turenko at 3.15 and Damir Zhanataev at 3.21. In the 3x3x3 One-Handed event, Che posted a winning average of 9.77 seconds, outperforming Turenko who logged 13.33 and Ruslan Kazin who finished with 14.15. The heavier hardware also belonged to Che, who secured the 4x4x4 Cube crown in 27.70 seconds and the 5x5x5 Cube in 55.72 seconds, while also winning the Megaminx with an average of 49.68.

Beyond the podium peaks, the competition revealed significant breakthroughs from determined solvers tackling expanded schedules. Maxim Yefremenko took on 9 events, logging a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 One-Handed in 30.92 seconds, a first Clock attempt of 17.25 seconds, and a Megaminx personal best of 2:06.06 that was 59.1 percent faster than his prior mark. Amir Salinov delivered a massive 54.3 percent reduction to his 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best with 21.30 seconds, alongside a first 3x3x3 Blindfolded solve of 6:51.95. Aibek Amrauly dropped his 2x2x2 Cube personal best by 55.9 percent down to 2.83 seconds, while Nikita Oputin improved his Pyraminx personal best to 9.26 seconds, a 25.2 percent improvement.

First-time experiences and broad event rosters continued across the floor. Ratmir Lee made his debut appearance at a WCA competition, entering 6 events and posting a first attempt of 19.14 seconds on Skewb and 19.20 seconds on the 3x3x3 Cube. Andrey Klimov tackled 5 events in his first competition, recording a first Megaminx result of 4:16.10. Amir Nurgazin entered 8 events, completing a first Skewb attempt of 10.11 seconds, while Alen Alimzhanov tackled 10 events, earning a 6th-place finish in 3x3x3 Fewest Moves with a first-time result of 53 moves.

Alternative puzzle formats produced exciting battles across the schedule as specialist solvers stepped into the limelight. Diasbek Zhuraev captured first place in the Pyraminx with an average of 4.95 seconds, while Jasur Beknazov took the Skewb title with an average of 4.39. In the Clock event, Bekzodjon Yusupov prevailed with an average of 7.26 seconds, demonstrating sharp coordination on the geared faceplates.

Memory and efficiency events pushed mental limits in equal measure. In the 3x3x3 Fewest Moves contest, Bekzodjon Yusupov and Andrey Che shared the top spot by each finding solutions of 37 moves, ahead of Jasur Beknazov who finished with 41. Blindfolded solving, requiring precise memorisation before donning the blindfold, saw Asset Agabekov win the 3x3x3 Blindfolded division with a best single of 46.75 seconds. Yusupov added another gold medal in 4x4x4 Blindfolded, recording a winning time of 8:54.95.

The tournament highlighted the depth of regional speedcubing talent, with podium finishes distributed across Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Across 19 rounds of high-calibre speed cubing, Save Ramir Cubing Kazakhstan 2023 celebrated every discipline on the calendar, concluding a memorable weekend of diverse solving challenges in Almaty.