Rubik's Cube competition celebrates 75 years of ties

The final of the first China-Hungary Youth Rubik's Cube International Open was held in Chongqing, Southwest China, on Friday to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary, and the 50th anniversary of the invention of the Rubik's Cube.

The organizing committee said around 80 young Chinese players who made it to the finals, along with two Hungarian national record holders in the 2x2x2 and 3x3x3 Rubik's Cube, participated in the competition.

Eighteen medals for 3x3x3 cube, 3x3x3 blindfolded and 3x3x3 clone competitions were awarded.

Lead-up regional competitions were held in dozens of cities in China and in Budapest, the Hungarian capital, with over 10,000 young Rubik's Cube players taking part.

"It's very good to see what's going on here in Chongqing, and the competition was very exciting," said 13-year-old Andras Orban from Budapest, who holds the 2x2x2 Rubik's Cube record in Hungary. He said he enjoyed his first visit to Asia a lot.

"I hope everyone can take this special opportunity to explore the many cultural values that connect Hungary and China," Marta Matrai, first deputy speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, said at the closing ceremony on Friday. "The relationship between Hungary and China has never been better than it is today."

She added Hungary was one of the earliest countries to establish diplomatic ties with China, and also the first European Union member state to join the Belt and Road Initiative.

Invented in 1974 by Hungarian Erno Rubik, the Rubik's Cube is one of the world's best-selling toys. The Rubik's WCA World Championship has been held every two years since 2003, attracting many Rubik's Cube lovers from around the world.

"The colorful Rubik's Cube is building a bridge for cultural exchanges between Chinese and Hungarian youth, and that is the main purpose of this event," said Liu Hu, director of the Chongqing Rubik's Cube Association, which was part of the organizing committee.

Liu said Rubik's Cube was listed as an expansion sport at the 5th National Intellectual Sports Games in Hefei, Anhui province, last year and he expects it will be recognized as an official competitive sport at the 6th National Intellectual Sports Games in Chongqing in 2027.

Chongqing is one of the few regions in China with a provincial-level Rubik's Cube association, and regularly hosts Rubik's Cube competitions for participants of all ages. In May, the municipality hosted its first Rubik's Cube competition for seniors, with 40 elderly participants — the oldest being 91 years old — taking part. Later this year, it will hold its 5th annual youth Rubik's Cube competition.

"We hope to build this competition into an event with distinct intellectual property, and attract more young players from different countries," Liu said.