Swisscubing Cup IV 2023

Eighteen separate rounds tested stamina and technical consistency across two full days at the Spörry Halle, as Swisscubing Cup IV 2023 gathered 77 competitors for an intense weekend of puzzle solving. Held in Vaduz (LI), Liechtenstein on June 24 and June 25, the tournament applied a rigorous multi-stage schedule that filtered large starting heats into tightly contested finals. From high-turnspeed sprints to blindfolded endurance tests, the tournament structure demanded flawless execution through every phase of the draw, rewarding solvers who maintained their pace across consecutive rounds in the 2023 cubing competition.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube contest stood as the only discipline spanning three full stages, requiring 74 entrants to survive multiple elimination cuts to reach the decider. Switzerland standout Alwin Rölz navigated the ladder with supreme composure, securing the gold medal with a winning average of 7.34 seconds alongside an event-best single of 6.60 seconds. Jonas Pilhöfer of Germany took second place with an average of 8.08, while France competitor Diego Alfonso closed out the podium in 8.62. In a disciplined showcase of speedcubing, Rölz proved unshakeable when the cut structure left zero margin for late-round mistakes.

Rölz extended his dominance across the bigger puzzles, sweeping the top of the podium wherever multi-layer management was required. In the 4x4x4 Cube, which reduced a field of 57 competitors across two rounds, Rölz claimed the title with a 30.24-second average and a best single of 28.72 seconds, beating Alfonso who took second in 35.14 and Noah Kraft in third at 36.54. The 5x5x5 Cube followed an identical two-round progression among 41 participants, where Rölz again set the pace with a winning average of 49.20 and a 47.43 single, outpacing Alfonso and Swiss compatriot Tobias Peter.

While the standard puzzles demanded visual speed, the blindfolded categories imposed an entirely different level of mental pressure where memorisation under the clock defined every attempt. Germany competitor Noah Kraft authored a remarkable double victory across both memory disciplines. Kraft captured the 3x3x3 Blindfolded crown over two stages with an average of 27.81 seconds and a 21.65 single, finishing clear of Peter and Matteo Dummar. In the single-round 4x4x4 Blindfolded event, where only 12 competitors dared the complex four-layer blind solve, Kraft posted a decisive 3:29.13 winning single ahead of Angelo Melera and Timo Günthardt.

Short-format events produced intense drama as solvers adapted to rapid two-round formats that rewarded instantaneous recognition on every solve. Noah Kraft added a third tournament victory in the 2x2x2 Cube, logging a winning average of 2.32 seconds to hold off Günthardt and Linus Buck. In the Megaminx, Günthardt secured top honours with a winning mark of 34.60 seconds, while Jonas Pilhöfer mastered the 3x3x3 One-Handed event with a 10.95 average to edge Rölz. Pyraminx concluded with Diego Alfonso securing the gold medal through a crisp 2.30 winning average.

Beyond the championship races, the weekend at Swisscubing Cup IV 2023 served as a platform for breakthrough individual progress that never appeared in the final standings. Leon Strenciwilk achieved a massive milestone by lowering his 3x3x3 Cube personal best to 27.94 seconds, which was 52.7 percent faster than his prior mark of 59.12, while also posting a 9.52 in his first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube. Stepan Khristolyubov made four starts and cut his 2x2x2 Cube best by 50.2 percent to 4.51 seconds, alongside an improved 1:57.78 in the 4x4x4 Cube. Marc Lorünser entered seven events, taking on Megaminx for the first time with a 1:35.80 and shaving 21.1 percent off his 2x2x2 mark down to 3.06.

First-time official attempts highlighted the depth of the roster throughout the venue. Simon Allenspach took on eight disciplines and recorded personal bests across the board, notably dropping his 2x2x2 Cube mark by 25.3 percent to 3.40 seconds and his Megaminx time by 15.7 percent to 2:16.17. Bogdan Lazarevic tackled six events, registering first-time marks of 2:51.83 in Megaminx, 2:28.83 in the 5x5x5 Cube, and 11.74 in Pyraminx. Aline Lustenberger made her first attempts in 2x2x2 Cube at 8.49 and Pyraminx at 13.85 while taking 34.3 percent off her 3x3x3 best down to 16.94, Carolin Saar took ninth place in 3x3x3 Cube while attempting 3x3x3 One-Handed for the first time in 22.44, and Leo Maatsch completed their first official speed cubing appearance across seven events, led by a 15.54 Rubik's Cube single.

The overall medal tally reflected broad regional participation, with Swiss competitors securing twelve podium spots, German entrants collecting nine, French competitors taking five, and Italy earning one. The structured format throughout Swisscubing Cup IV 2023 validated the technical consistency of seasoned champions while giving developing solvers crucial round experience. As the 3x3 results and blindfolded achievements confirmed, surviving the multi-round system in Liechtenstein required complete focus from the opening scramble to the final podium presentation at this standout WCA competition.