Shakarim Open 2023

Damir Zhanataev set the tone in Semey, Kazakhstan by securing a commanding victory in the 3x3x3 Cube with a winning average of 8.22 seconds and a tournament-best single solve of 7.35 seconds. Across two rounds of play, the 15-competitor field tackled a schedule that balanced multi-round bracket structures against high-stakes direct finals. Held at Shakarim University 2023 on December 23 and 24, the Shakarim Open 2023 tested solving endurance and tactical pacing across 10 distinct events, rewarding competitors who could navigate the cutoffs and step up their consistency when the margins tightened.

The 16 rounds of competition allowed for two different competitive rhythms over the weekend. Events featuring two rounds gave contenders a preliminary run to gauge the equipment and atmosphere before the medal round, while direct finals forced solvers to execute immediately without room for calibration. Zhanataev adapted instantly to both demands, taking top honors across four separate categories. His campaign included a 35.34 average in the 4x4x4 Cube and a 4.01 average in Pyraminx, each contested across two rounds of steady progression.

In the classic 2x2x2 Cube, Zhanataev topped the final with a 3.94 average, narrowly outpacing Daniyal Suleimen, who logged an average of 3.99 seconds, while Alisher Isagaliev secured third place with 4.79. The official 3x3 results solidified Zhanataev at the summit, where his 8.22 average was trailed by Alimzhan Kenesbek at 9.84 seconds and Suleimen at 10.07 seconds. Kenesbek answered in the shorter rotational puzzles, capturing the Skewb title with an average of 4.59 seconds across two rounds and prevailing in the single-round Square-1 final with a mark of 17.16 seconds.

Longer puzzles brought a shift in dynamics, as Daniyal Suleimen demonstrated his stamina on complex dodecahedrons and mid-sized cubes. In the Megaminx direct final, Suleimen posted a 48.20 average and an event-best single of 38.58 seconds to finish well clear of Zhanataev and Kenesbek. Suleimen followed that triumph by winning the two-round 5x5x5 Cube final with a 1:14.61 average, holding off Zhanataev by less than half a second. In the heaviest big-cube brackets, Erdos Toleugazyev controlled the single-round finals, posting a 2:12.71 average on the 6x6x6 Cube and a 3:23.97 average on the 7x7x7 Cube.

Beyond the championship podiums, Shakarim Open 2023 served as a critical testing ground for competitors expanding their repertoires and refining their techniques. Madi Mergazy produced substantial personal bests, cutting his Square-1 mark to 40.10 seconds, which was 47.7 percent faster than his prior record, while lowering his Skewb mark by 20.3 percent to 4.58 seconds and improving his 4x4x4 Cube time by 19.5 percent to 54.36 seconds across eight events. Igor Kaigalov tackled nine categories, executing his first ever attempts at both the 6x6x6 Cube in 7:31.61 and the 7x7x7 Cube in 7:24.77, alongside a 17 percent drop in his Square-1 personal best to 51.85 seconds.

Significant milestones continued across the floor as Abdulaziz Dauletkhanov logged his first attempts in the 5x5x5 Cube at 4:39.79 and the 4x4x4 Cube at 1:50.36, while dropping his Skewb best by 34.2 percent to 7.39 seconds. Mansur Serikov entered seven events, taking fourth in Megaminx and lowering his 3x3x3 Cube best by 18.8 percent to 8.20 seconds, alongside a 20.2 percent drop in Skewb to 6.16 seconds. Lev Golaev achieved an impressive 28.8 percent improvement in the 4x4x4 Cube with a time of 1:34.00, while also setting personal bests in 2x2x2 Cube at 3.50 seconds and Pyraminx at 5.64 seconds.

The gathering also welcomed fresh talent to the official circuit, offering several participants their very first speed cubing trials. Alikhan Aitkali completed his first WCA competition by entering six events, recording maiden marks of 10.11 seconds in the 2x2x2 Cube, 18.79 in Skewb, and 8:04.05 in Megaminx. Aigerim Meirzhan made an initial appearance across four disciplines, registering a first 3x3x3 Cube solve of 34.18 seconds, a 12.96 in 2x2x2 Cube, and 20.71 in Skewb. Aldiyar Mussin debuted in three events, posting initial times of 6.99 seconds on the 2x2x2 Cube, 13.92 on Pyraminx, and 28.90 on the 3x3x3 Cube, while Ansar Alimbayev debuted with a 31.05 in 3x3x3 Cube, 1:49.31 in 4x4x4 Cube, and 3:43.74 in 5x5x5 Cube.

Across two full days, the cubing competition showcased high-level precision in every category, highlighting how structural pacing influences performance under pressure. Every single podium place across all disciplines was claimed by representatives of Kazakhstan, demonstrating the depth of national talent across traditional Rubik's Cube formats and larger polyhedral challenges. The successful conclusion of Shakarim Open 2023 closes out the 2023 speedcubing calendar in Semey, leaving competitors with verified milestones, refined routines, and solid momentum heading into future competitive seasons.