Solving in Shreveport 2023

Eighty-five competitors gathered on February 5, 2023, turning a single intense day into a showcase of dexterity and spatial memory. While blindfolded solving stands as the ultimate test of pure concentration in speedcubing—requiring solvers to commit an entire scrambled puzzle to memory before executing every turn sight unseen—the same absolute focus was required across all nine rounds in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA. Held at the Holiday Inn Shreveport Downtown, Solving in Shreveport 2023 tested mental endurance through five varied disciplines.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew a large lineup of 82 entrants across three rounds of play. Luke Garrett set the standard throughout the bracket, capturing the title with an exceptional winning average of 5.81 seconds, supported by the weekend low single solve of 5.51. Ryan Pilat claimed second place with a 7.32 average, while RJ Gohn secured third step on the podium at 10.02. The standard Rubik's Cube final delivered the sharpest 3x3 results of the tournament.

Garrett was equally dominant in the short-format 2x2x2 Cube, prevailing through two rounds against 73 competitors. In the final, Garrett registered a winning average of 1.66 seconds, highlighted by an event-best single of 1.08. Pilat followed closely in second with a 1.95 average, while Dylan Miller locked up third place at 2.47. The high-speed turning demanded precise finger execution where even a millisecond hesitation altered the standings.

The big cube test of the program arrived in the 6x6x6 Cube, where 17 solvers battled the sheer mechanical complexity of multi-layered hardware. Garrett completed his triple-victory campaign by claiming first place with a 1:48.40 average, anchored by a best single of 1:44.20. Pilat maintained his consistent presence across categories to take second place with a 1:51.78 mark, while Ordway Persyn took third with a 2:27.07 average.

Away from the top steps, individual progress defined the rhythm of this WCA competition. Austin Adueni entered four events and delivered a notable breakthrough, dropping their Square-1 personal best to 22.43 seconds, an improvement of 59.5 percent over their prior 55.42 mark, while also recording their first ever attempt at Pyraminx in 9.41 and first 2x2x2 Cube attempt in 4.85. Henry Foster contested five events, taking a best finish of 7th in Square-1 with a personal best of 17.72, 43.1 percent faster than their previous 31.13, and improved their 3x3x3 Cube best to 10.04. Johannes M. Baier took on four events, securing a 4.93 in 2x2x2 Cube that was 37.4 percent faster than their old 7.88 mark, alongside a 30.3 percent improvement on the 3x3x3 Cube down to 14.33 and a first official attempt at Square-1 with 41.92. Cade Volle cut their 3x3x3 Cube best by 47.4 percent to 10.88, down from 20.69, while also improving in Pyraminx with 8.62 and 2x2x2 Cube with 4.53.

The personal milestones continued across the tables as several solvers tackled fresh challenges at Solving in Shreveport 2023. Victor Gheorghisor logged a first ever attempt at Pyraminx with an 8.65, while reducing their 2x2x2 Cube best to 3.07, which was 34.3 percent faster than before. Maxim A. Umber logged a first ever attempt on the 6x6x6 Cube in 6:04.10 and improved their 3x3x3 Cube best by 19.7 percent down to 10.99. Aidan Piper set a Pyraminx personal best of 5.02, shaving 39.2 percent off their previous 8.25 benchmark. First-time tournament entrants also made their marks, including Jaxen Wood, who tackled their first WCA competition with opening official attempts of 23.21 in the 3x3x3 Cube, 7.44 in the 2x2x2 Cube, and 27.25 in Pyraminx.

The Pyraminx brought dramatic competition across two rounds featuring 65 entrants. Andres Rodriguez emerged victorious with a sharp winning average of 2.51 seconds and a top single of 2.23. Garrett added another podium place by taking second with a 3.24 average, while Pilat collected the third position with a mark of 3.55, capping an active day across multiple puzzle disciplines.

In the Square-1 event, 22 entrants navigated the changing geometric shapes of the puzzle across a single final round. Pilat stepped to the top of the podium, capturing victory with a winning average of 7.61 seconds and the round low single solve of 6.59. RJ Gohn earned the runner-up spot with an average of 10.52, while Garrett finished third at 11.67 in a competitive conclusion to the specialty events.

Across five events and nine rounds, the cubing competition showcased high-level speed cubing talent from across the region. With fifteen total podium places collected across the five disciplines, Solving in Shreveport 2023 provided memorable highlights for newcomers and seasoned competitors alike.