A speedcubing competitor attempts to solve his puzzle blindfolded. (Supplied)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

don't be a square, just be there

Speedcubing event invites the best puzzle-solvers to Red Deer this September

Aug 20, 2024 | 12:05 PM

Ever tried solving a Rubik’s Cube, only for your attempt to bring bitter disappointment and utter frustration?

Well now’s the chance you’ve been dreaming of to show you do have what it takes.

Start practicing because Solved Central Alberta 2024, a speedcubing competition, is taking place Sept. 14 at Red Deer Polytechnic, and you can be part of it.

Up to 150 competitors will come together in the Cenovus Learning Commons for the World Cubing Association-sanctioned event, hosted by Central Alberta Speedcubing and sponsored by Cubing Out Loud.

Puzzlers will take part in five different categories: 3x3x3 cube, 2x2x2 cube, 3x3x3 one-handed, a variation called Clock, and another called Skewb.

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Niels Nijstad, event organizer, notes speedcubing competitions have taken place in Red Deer before — in 2019 at Parkland Mall, and then in 2023 at RDP, and again this past February for the ‘Battle of Alberta.’

“I’ve done different sports in my life like volleyball and soccer, but with this, you’re competing with your own personal best,” explains Nijstad.

“Yes, you’re trying to get as high-ranked as possible, but you have no control over others’ times. It’s a great atmosphere, and you can make it as competitive as you want.”

The median age for competitors is around 14-15, but it can range from six to 50+, he says.

Nijstad’s best time to solve a 3x3x3 Rubik’s cube is around 22 seconds, while the best in the world do it in just a hair over three seconds.

Among other high-level solvers, Canada’s second-ranked speedcuber, Edmonton’s Kyle Santucci, will be at the Red Deer event, he adds. Santucci’s record is 4.26 seconds.

“Santucci was recently at the North American Championship in Minnesota, he went to the European Championship in Pamplona, Spain, and he’s spent thousands of hours speedcubing,” says Nijstad.

“His first competition in 2016, he had a 26-second average, and is now consistently below seven seconds.”

Santucci placed 5th in Pamplona (6.46 seconds average) and in Minnesota (6.20 seconds average) in the 3x3x3 category.

There are prizes for the winners, as well as for best new competitor.

The event is free to attend to watch, or you can pay $30 to enter the competition if you think you’re up for the challenge. The deadline to register is Aug. 31. More information is here.

If interested in speedcubing outside of this event, the Central Alberta group meets at the Dawe library branch, the second Sunday of every month. More details here.

Speedcubing also includes categories for 4x4x4 cube, 5x5x5 cube, 3x3x3 fewest moves, and variations such as megaminx, pyraminx and square-1.

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