Tbilisi August Open 2023

Thirteen competitors gathered on August 5, 2023, turning College Barakoni into a buzzing hub of speedcubing. The Tbilisi August Open 2023 offered an intense single-day schedule comprising six events and ten rounds of high-level solving. For several participants in Tbilisi, Georgia, stepping up to the official timing station marked their initial entry into the global World Cube Association database. The compressed field meant every competitor faced the timer with immediate intensity, transforming the venue in the capital into a proving ground for both experienced hands and first-time tournament entrants eager to make their mark.

Stepping into a WCA competition for the very first time brings a unique rhythm of nerves and focus, as solving under tournament conditions differs sharply from practicing at home. Across the tables, newcomers navigated their opening attempts alongside seasoned solvers, watching judges lift the covers off scrambled puzzles to begin the strict fifteen-second inspection window. The one-day format packed rapid turnarounds across all disciplines, ensuring that those attending their first speed cubing event were instantly immersed in the full experience of official head-to-head rounds.

Tamar Dolenjishvili delivered the standout performance of the entire gathering, sweeping three separate titles to highlight the podium proceedings. In the classic Rubik's Cube, Dolenjishvili set the standard across two rounds, securing the top spot with a final 3x3x3 Cube average of 7.75 seconds alongside the day's best single of 6.88 seconds. Andro Gvaramadze finished runner-up with an 8.41 average, while Giorgi Minasiani locked up third place at 8.78. These decisive 3x3 results confirmed Dolenjishvili's commanding form against a competitive field of twelve starters.

Dolenjishvili extended that dominance to the larger and alternate formats later in the afternoon. In the 4x4x4 Cube, Dolenjishvili logged an average of 32.22 seconds and a single of 27.45 to take first place ahead of Belarus solver Ilya Anishchanka, who finished second with 37.60, and Gvaramadze in third with 40.13. Dolenjishvili then claimed a third victory in 3x3x3 One-Handed, averaging 14.45 seconds to hold off Minasiani's 15.24 and Gvaramadze's 18.09, completing an impressive triple championship run at the Tbilisi August Open 2023.

Away from the top steps of the podium, the deeper stories of the day belonged to the competitors carving out personal milestones and testing new events. Gega Tsetskhladze entered all six events on the schedule, achieving a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 22.12 seconds, which was 28.5 percent faster than his previous best of 30.92. Tsetskhladze also trimmed his Pyraminx mark down to 8.89 seconds from 11.62, representing a 23.5 percent improvement, while making his first ever official attempt at Skewb with a time of 17.39 and finishing 8th in 3x3x3 One-Handed. Nikolozi Kobakhidze took on six events as well, earning a standout 4th-place finish in Skewb.

The weekend also provided a memorable debut for three competitors attending their first WCA competition. Mikheil Kapanadze tackled three events, recording an 8th-place finish in the 4x4x4 Cube with a debut mark of 1:34.02, while also posting a first ever attempt of 4.64 seconds on the 2x2x2 Cube and 22.92 on the 3x3x3 Cube. Iakov Kasian logged debut results in two events, posting a 22.82 first attempt in the 3x3x3 Cube and a 7.96 in the 2x2x2 Cube. Nutsa Kapanadze also completed a tournament debut across two disciplines, establishing marks with a first attempt of 14.62 seconds on the 2x2x2 Cube and 14.01 on Pyraminx.

The sprint puzzles brought blistering turn speeds and close margins across the remaining brackets. Vako Marchilashvili captured the 2x2x2 Cube championship, delivering an event-winning average of 1.83 seconds and a best single of 1.16 to lead twelve competitors. Ukraine's Mykhailo Lagoida followed in second place with a 2.30 average, while Minasiani secured third at 2.99. Lagoida struck back in the Skewb event, claiming victory with an average of 2.37 seconds and a fast single of 1.78, finishing ahead of Dolenjishvili at 4.71 and Minasiani at 5.89.

Pyraminx wrapped up the day's six-event schedule with another sharp duel at the top. Minasiani earned the victory with a 2.67 average and a 2.24 single, leading Gvaramadze at 4.58 and Dolenjishvili at 4.80. Across the ten total rounds, Georgian competitors secured 15 podium positions, while Ukrainian solvers took 2 and Belarus earned 1. The spirited atmosphere and broad participation at the Tbilisi August Open 2023 demonstrated the healthy progression of the regional cubing competition scene as fresh contenders begin their journey on the official circuit.