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How to Solve the Cube

This is a super simple Rubik's Cube tutorial, where we have mashed up different tutorials into one. With some practice, you should be able to solve the cube in about 2-4 minutes. If you want to get even faster, you should learn and learn the Intermediate Method. Below are the steps from the videos, for reference

We first need to learn how to read algorithms. Please view the image below to learn.

cubing-notation.jpg

Before solving anything, do these 4-move algorithms repeatedly until you have them memorized. They will be very important later on!

r move.png

R

u move.png

U

r prime move.png

R'

u prime move.png

U'

r u r' u'.png

Then your cube should look like this

l prime move.png

L'

u prime (lefty alg).png

U'

l (lefty alg).png

L

u (lefty alg).png

U

l' u' l u.png

Then your cube should look like this

Step 1 - Daisy

The goal of this step is to place four white edge stickers around the yellow center. When you are finished with this step, the top of your cube should look like this:

daisy.jpg

Note: It doesn’t matter what colour the grey squares are. Two things to keep in mind:

  1. Once a white sticker is placed next to the yellow centre, it does not need to be moved.

  2. You can turn the top layer without disturbing anything next to the yellow centre.

Step 2 - White Cross

For each petal on the “daisy,” match the non-white sticker to the centrepiece of the same colour. Once matched, turn the face with the matching centre two times. Repeat this process three more times. When you are finished, the bottom face of the cube will have a white cross. There is a picture below for an example.

Note: For the rest of the solve, the white cross will be on the bottom. If you ever find the white cross somewhere else, something has gone wrong. 

daisy to cross.png

Step 3 - White Corners

Now we'll use the 4-moves to solve the first layer.

With the cross on the bottom, find a corner piece in the top layer with white on it. Turn the top layer so the surrounding centres match the colours on the corner.

Note: A corner piece has 3 colours on it.

corners 1.png
corners 2.png
corners 3.png

Hold the cube so the corner piece is on the front/right, and repeat the right-handed 4-moves until this corner is solved.

corners righty alg once.png

Right Handed Algorithm

roundedarrowrightdark.png
roundedarrowrightdark.png

Right Handed Algorithm

corners right alg 2.png
corners rightly alg 3.png

Right Handed Algorithm

roundedarrowrightdark.png
corners righty alg 4.png

You can also use the left-hand algorithm you hold the piece on the front/left to start.

Repeat until all of the first layer corners are solved. If you find a white corner incorrectly stuck in the bottom layer, you can bring it into the top layer by holding it on the front/right and doing the right 4-moves. The first tutorial video above shows an example of this.

Step 4 - Second Layer

1st layer.png
roundedarrowrightdark.png
2nd layer.png

Find an edge piece in the top layer without yellow as either of its 2 colours.

Turn the top so that it matches its centre.

Face the piece and check if the top colour matches the right centre or left centre.

f2l right side 1.png
f2l right side 2.png
f2l right side 3.png

If it matches the right side, do the following moves:

  • Turn the top with your right hand (U)

  • Do the right 4 move algorithm

  • Rotate the cube to face the right side

  • Do the left 4 move algorithm

If it matches the left side, do the following moves:

  • Turn the top with your left hand (U')

  • Do the left 4 move algorithm.

  • Rotate the cube to face the left side

  • Do the right 4 move algorithm

Step 4 - Top Cross

before top cross.png
roundedarrowrightdark.png
after top cross.png
dot case.png
hook case.png
line case.png

Then do the following moves:

top cross 1.png
top cross 2.png
top cross 3.png
top cross 4.png
top cross 5.png
top cross 6.png

       F                                R                            U                              R'                          U'                                    F'

How to memorize this algorithm:

  • Turn the front clockwise

  • Do the right 4-move algorithm 

  • Turn the front counterclockwise

Note: Focus on the colours on edge pieces, and not corner pieces. If you have 1 or 3 edge pieces facing up, your cube is unsolvable and needs to be taken apart and reassembled.

If an edge you are looking for is stuck somewhere in the 2nd layer, move any edge into its spot using one of the 2 algorithms above. This will cause the edge to come out into the top layer.

Hold the cube to match one of the following (ignore the corner pieces):

If the cross is not solved yet, hold the cube to match the new case and repeat.

©2020 by M&C Cubers. 

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