The Ultimate Guide to Solving the Cube: Tribute

Introduction

Have you been searching for the ultimate method for how to solve the Rubik's cube? Me too.

Unfortunately you landed here, so you'll have to settle for the The Ultimate Guide to Solving the Cube: Tribute

This is not the Ultimate Guide to Solving the Cube, it is just a tribute.

How to use this Guide

If you're the kind of person who just needs to jump in and try things, just skip all this boring stuff and start solving!

If you're still reading this, then this next section might just be for you.

Why this Guide

While there are many excellent cubing tutorials out there, I've encountered a lot of folks who still struggle to master the cube.

• First, the cube has about 43 quintillion possible positions (my next website will document each and every one of them, stay tuned!). This means no tutorial video will ever have the same scramble as you.
• For those who are just starting out, it is very disorienting to look at all those different colors on a video tutorial that are different than the different arrangement on your own cube.
• The solution of course is to create a cube with exactly one color on it. My team of scientists is striving to prove mathematically that such a thing could even exist. Early results look promising!
• Lastly, written tutorials require reading, and who wants to do that?
• Furthermore, video tutorials require pausing and rewinding, and youtube is awful at letting you go back short amounts
  • Youtube, if you are listening, please stop ejecting content from the buffer so aggressively. Just... stop it. Keep it there for a second or two so everyone can learn the correct way to tie a knot. Or, how to solve the infinite mystery of the magic cube.
• I should probably stop adding to this list before you fall asleep and drool on your keyboard.
• Also, this guide already has far too much writing in it, sheesh.
• Additionally, I said 'Lastly' four bullet points ago, what's up with that?
• Some jokes overstay their welcome, and you'd think they would take the hint.

The solution

The solution, of course, is to kidnap an expert cuber and have them teach you. Sign up for my exclusive newsletter to learn more. You'll be wowing your friends with your new cubing talents in no time! You will also have a new best friend.

If somehow that doesn't work out (but it will), the next best solution is to have an interactive solution that lets you learn at your own pace and takes you step by step through each challenge on your way to ultimate victory.

Unfortunately that kind of technology, so instead you'll just have to keep reading this guide.

Serious business (very serious)

All kidding aside, mastering the cube takes patience and practice. Be patient with yourself, take your time. Here are some things that will happen as you learn.

• You will scramble your cube (our family calls this "toasting" your cube, which means messing up during a solve and having to start over).
• You will toast your cube a lot.
• You will toast your cube during the last layer (when you are almost done).
• You will toast your cube on a train. You will toast it in the rain. You will toast it in a box. You will toast it with a fox.
• You will lose hope. You will be tempted to give up. Then, in your darkest hour, you'll reflect on your life up to this point, the trials you've faced, the challenges you've overcome. You'll take a deep breath, dig a little deeper, and become the little engine that got back on the horse and tried, tried again.

There are many different methods for learning the cube. Some approaches have common "gotchas" that beginners get stuck on-- this method attempts to skip those patterns altogether in favor of algorithms that are less likely to trip you up. It also is designed to help you grow into more advanced methods if you choose to go beyond the beginner method.

Good night, and good luck.

...

Just kidding, we're just getting started.

Useful information (I mean it this time)

I'm pretty sure this section was titled 'How to use this Guide'. Whoops.

Alright... how to use this guide. Because every scramble is different, you can't just follow one set of exact instructions (43 gazillion positions for the cube, remember?).

Instead, we will do something like this:

• The guide provide a step by step approach to solve the cube.
• Most of the colors in the guide are turned gray to help you focus on the important stuff. So... focus on just the colors that are active.
• It may be distracting when you see patterns in the pieces that aren't part of the current step you're working on (such as extra pieces looking solved before you get to that step). Do your best to ignore these-- they'll have their time to shine (just not yet).
• Don't worry about the pieces that are not relevant for your current step.
• The steps are designed to preserve the progress you made, even if the cube looks temporarily look scrambled. Trust the algorithms.
• Stay focused on the current step and stick to the plan as best you can.
• And remember that when life gives you lemons, then you've probably toasted your cube.
• Keep trying, you can do it!

How to use the interactive cube

• Use the + button to step through the turns one at a time. Use the - button to go backwards
• Step through the algorithm a couple times through. Go slow, try to understand how the step is moving you toward your goal.
• If you get lost/stuck, STOP TURNING THE CUBE. Slow down and see if you can figure out where in the algorithm you were. If not, you've toasted your cube, congratulations! Go back as many steps as you need to get back on track.

The Anatomy of the Cube

Every time a cube is solved, an angel gets its wings. -- Jimmy Stewart

The centers don't move

The cube is solved in layers

Edges and Corners

Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.

Corner Twists (watch out!)

Sometimes the corners of your cubes get twisted, causing your cube to become unsolveable. If you are doing an algorithm and you think it's correct, and everything is correct except a single corner is facing the wrong way, then try twisting it to the correct orientation and move forward.

Tools of the Trade

Lingo

Learning something new is especially hard when the experts throw a lot of TLAs at you. You know, TLA, Three Letter Acronyms (see what I did there).

Seriously though, having a lot of lingo, phrases, words, and worst of all, acronyms, can feel overwhelming and frustrating.

I will strive to keep the lingo to a minimum, however I do want to introduce some of this lingo so that as you expand beyond the safety of this guide, you start to learn what to look out for.

So, here's the deal. I will introduce all acronyms and lingo I throw at you. And if I forget or miss something, please send all comments and feedback to one of the many cubing youtubers I will reference at the end of the guide (because they're used to it) me.

Here are a few acronyms and phrases to get you started. Don't worry though if you forget, though. They fall in the category of unimportant things not worth remembering. Like birthdays. And taxes.

• F2L First Two Layers - A more advanced solving technique that involves solving the white corners and middle edges at the same time.
• OLL Orient Last Layer - The process of orienting (facing) the pieces the correct direction on the upper yellow face of the cube. This guide solves OLL in two steps.
• PLL Permute Last Layer - The process of permuting (moving) the pieces into their correct positions in the top layer of the cube.
• Sexy Move To protect the innocent we'll refer to this as the "Righty Alg" in this guide.

That's it. There are no more things to learn. Good work.

Cube Notation

Confusing symbols that don't mean anything but cubers pretend are important.

The Righty Alg (aka Sexy Move)

This algorithm contains within it the power of the universe.

That power can be yours for just four easy payments of $19.99. Supplies are limited, so act now! This limited time offer won't be available for long!

Lefty Alg

The Solution

Okay we're ready to get started. Here's a summary of how we're going to solve the cube.

1. Daisy
2. White Cross
3. White Corners
4. Second Layer
5. Yellow Cross (OLL step 1)
6. Make the top Yellow (OLL step 2)
7. Fix the Corners (PLL step 1)
8. Fix the Edges (PLL step 2)
9. Celebrate!!!

Daisy

Now that you've mastered the Righty Alg, let's start solving the cube. Actually, first let's stop to smell the daisies.

We will keep the yellow face (the side with the yellow center) facing up for entire solve. Of course you need to turn the cube to look at all sides, just remember to keep the yellow center on top!

The goal

All four white edges will be facing up, surrounding the yellow center.

Tips and Tricks

White Cross

Okay enough with the flowers. Let's get down to business (to defeat, the Huns).

The goal

All four white edges will be inserted to match the white center and the colored center

Tips and Tricks

White corners

Next, we'll insert all 4 of the white corners and complete the first layer. Woohoo!

The goal

Steps

Second Layer

Alright, next up is the second layer, which will mean we're two thirds of the way there!

The goal

Use one of the two scenarios below until all four edges are inserted correctly.

Details

For this stage, there are two scenarios. They use the same algorithms and are mirrors of each other, so you'll get the hang of it.

Scenario 1 - Righty + Lefty

Scenario 2 - Lefty + Righty

Flip it and reverse it

Tips and Tricks

Yellow Cross

Follow the yellow brick road!

The goal

Use this algorithm one, two, or three times to reach the Emerald City (or to build the yellow cross).

The Algorithm

This is just a slightly modified Righty Alg, so it should feel familiar.

Details

There are three patterns of yellow stickers on top. The yellow Dot, the yellow V, and the yellow Line.

Look at your cube to determine which step you're on and start there (sometimes you get to skip a step or two, what a deal!)

If there is no V or Line, then it's the Dot case (even if other yellow stickers are on top but don't make one of those two shapes).

Ignore extra yellow stickers, just focus on the Dot, V, and Line

Steps

Tips and Tricks

Make the top Yellow (OLL Step 2)

The goal

We're almost there!

The "Sune" Algorithm

This is a favorite alg for many cubers, enjoy!

While "Sune" is technically pronounced "Soo-nay", most cubers just call it "Soon"

Details

After creating the yellow cross, there are 7 different configurations you'll find yourself in. Don't panic though, because the Sune alg can handle them all!

Depending on which case you have, it will take doing the Sune alg 1x, 2x, or 3x times to finish making the top yellow.

Look at your cube and match it to one of the 7 cases (based on the yellow stickers).

Important: You may need to rotate the top of your cube in order to make your stickers match one of the patterns. Be sure to rotate the top to exactly match the case before using the Sune alg.

After you've done your current case, check the next section for your new case until you're done.

Sune x3

If your cube looks one of these, it will take 3x Sune algs to make the top yellow (more practice, lucky you).

After you perform the alg for these cases, go to the Sune 2x section and look for Anti-Sune, which will be the next case to solve for.

Sune x2

If your cube looks one of these, it will take 2x Sune algs to make the top yellow (getting warmer).

After you perform one Sune, go to the Sune X1 section and perform the last case (the Sune case itself!).

Sune x1

The alg, the myth, the legend. One Sune to rule them all. One Sune to find them. One last Sune to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them.

This is it. Are you ready? Remember to rotate the top to match the orientation of the yellow stickers exactly like the diagram.

Fix the Corners (PLL Step 1)

The goal

The light at the end of the tunnel, do you see it?

No, you're not dead. I just mean you've almost solved the cube.

The "R2 D2" Alg (or "Ab" alg for the boring)

x R2 D2 R U R' D2 R U' R

Just having a little chat with our friend, R2D2

Details

After the gauntlet of the Sune alg, this step is comparatively easy. Just one nice little alg and two simple cases

Rarely, all your corners will be solved already when you finish the last section. If so, congratulations! Pass Go, collect $200, and head straight to the last section!

"Headlights" means two stickers of the same colors are on one side, with some other color in the middle. In the steps below our headlights are "blue, red, blue", but any headlights will do!

Sometimes you'll have a full bar (all 3 of the same colors, like "green, green, green"). This works to, just treat it the same as "headlights"

Case 1 - One pair of "headlights"

Case 2 - Zero pair of "headlights" (sadface)

Fix the Edges (PLL Step 2)

The FINAL goal

This is it. If you want you can give up now. Set the cube down. Walk away. Forget about it.

And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell that cube that it may take our sanity, but it'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!

The "Sandwich" Alg (or "Ua" alg for the unimaginative)

(R U') (R U) (R U) (R U') R' U' R2

See, the (R U)'s are sandwiched between the (R U')s. Sandwich alg. Brilliant.

Details

This is it. You will need to sandwich your heart out 1x, 2x, or 3x times depending on how luck (and fate) would have it.

Find the case that matches and start there

Case 1 - no solved "bar"

Case 2 - solved "bar"

The final stretch, maybe you should take a break and grab a sandwich.

Victory Dance

Hail the conquering hero... da da da da da da... - The Genie

Credits and thanks!

This was made possible by:

• Website: Forked from alonswartz's excellent algorithms site.
• Cube animation: Lars Petrus and his super slick Roofpig library.
• Hosting: Provided by GitHub pages.