Suur-Kloostri Side Events 2024

Eight dedicated solvers gathered in Tallinn, Estonia, on November 23, 2024, to take on a uniquely demanding slate of non-standard disciplines at Gustav Adolf Grammar School. Rather than focusing on standard events, Suur-Kloostri Side Events 2024 put alternative puzzles directly into the spotlight. Across six rounds and five distinct events, the compact field tackled some of the most intricate and mentally taxing formats in competitive speedcubing. The gathering provided a rare platform where specialists in big cubes, multifaceted dodecahedrons, and mechanical gear-driven timers could demonstrate their mastery without sharing stage time with traditional events.

The competition proved to be a tour de force for Remo Pihel, who captured three tournament victories across the larger NxN categories. Pihel set the tone early in the 5x5x5 Cube, finishing in first place with a winning average of 1:03.39 after notching the single best solve of the event at 1:00.41. Maksim Zemtšihhin took second place with an average of 1:11.89 and a fast single of 1:06.89, while Oliver Pällo locked down third place on the podium with a 1:13.18 average. The precision required on the five-layered puzzle established a high standard of execution that persisted throughout the single-day meet.

Pihel extended his winning streak into the mammoth 6x6x6 Cube event, producing a winning average of 2:07.08 along with the round's fastest single effort of 1:53.39. Oliver Pällo claimed the runner-up spot with a 2:17.88 average and a 2:11.04 single, followed closely by Finland's Mahdi Khan, who placed third with an average of 2:32.29 and a personal best mark of 2:23.24. With mechanical tension and turn efficiency being critical on even-layered puzzles, Pihel managed his rotations cleanly to secure his second gold of the day.

The dominance continued in the largest puzzle on the schedule, the 7x7x7 Cube. Pihel outpaced the four-person field with a commanding winning average of 3:20.28, powered by an opening single solve of 3:12.15. Maksim Zemtšihhin stepped onto his second podium of the weekend by taking second place with an average of 3:48.64, while Mahdi Khan earned another bronze medal with a solid 4:06.67 mark. Pihel's sweep of the three largest cube formats highlighted his stamina and deep familiarity with large-layer puzzle turning.

Oliver Pällo responded with masterclasses of his own in the dexterity-heavy specialty disciplines, starting with Megaminx. Solving the twelve-sided puzzle demands sharp spatial recognition, and Pällo delivered a decisive victory with a winning average of 51.47 seconds and a best single of 45.47 seconds. Remo Pihel secured the silver medal with a 1:00.92 average, while Mahdi Khan completed the podium in 1:20.81. The discipline showcased technical speed cubing skill beyond regular square-based mechanisms, rewarding seamless transition turns across all twelve faces.

Pällo also topped the standings in Clock, an event contested over two separate rounds. In the final round, Pällo registered a winning average of 5.93 seconds, highlighted by an impressive 4.90 single solve to seal first place. Remo Pihel added another podium finish to his day, taking second place with an 8.01 average, while Mahdi Khan took third in 8.51 seconds. Pällo's rapid manipulation of the dual-faced dial mechanism secured his second title at Suur-Kloostri Side Events 2024, splitting the five available tournament golds exclusively between himself and Pihel.

Beyond the title fights, significant milestones were recorded throughout the field. Mike Vidrik Rätsep took on four events and delivered a notable breakthrough in the 5x5x5 Cube, achieving a personal best single of 1:23.56 that improved upon his previous career mark of 1:40.99 by 17.3 percent, alongside a Clock personal best single of 8.29 seconds and a fifth-place finish in 6x6x6 Cube. Ivan Berestovoi entered two events, logging a fifth-place finish in Clock and recording his first ever official attempt at Megaminx with a time of 2:18.48.

Fresh milestones continued for other competitors who embraced the demanding side schedule. Ken-Erik Aus competed in two events and tackled his first ever official attempt at the 5x5x5 Cube, recording a single of 2:34.76 to earn a seventh-place finish overall. Meanwhile, Nikita Slavinski took on two disciplines, securing a sixth-place finish in the 5x5x5 Cube with an average of 1:55.34 and a top single of 1:44.00. These breakthroughs reflected the rewarding nature of tackling niche formats in an official environment.

By the time the final scores were entered, host nation Estonia had secured 11 podium placements, with Finland capturing four thanks to a resilient series of top-three finishes by Mahdi Khan. While regular cubing competition schedules often revolve around traditional 3x3 results and classic Rubik's Cube formats, this gathering proved the immense competitive depth found across alternative puzzles. Suur-Kloostri Side Events 2024 delivered an exceptional showcase of technical skill in Tallinn, leaving the field ready for the next round of WCA competition milestones.