How to Solve Rubix 3*3 cube?
Beginner Method
Solving a Rubik's Cube is usually done layer by layer. Trying to do it
face by face would be nigh impossible, as you couldn't do the other
faces without screwing up the ones you may have already done.
I will cover three ways of solving the Rubik's Cube: beginner,
intermediate and advanced, and I advise you to start with the beginner
method. The intermediate method is similar to the beginner, except the
last layer is slightly different, allowing for faster times. The
advanced method is what is known as the Fridrich method and, with
practice, will allow you to achieve times of less than 20 seconds. I
myself use a mixture of the intermediate and advanced methods, as I have
not yet learnt all of the Fridrich method.
I will try to explain everything in a way where you can understand, as
when I first learnt I had to figure stuff out because the tutorial
wasn't that good.
Before we begin, I recommend you go to the
notation page and familiarise yourself with it. I shall refer to it throughout this guide, but worry not! It's really rather simple.
The first thing to know about the cube is that the middle pieces don't
move. Go ahead, try and move them. They rotate, but they never move in
relation to each other, which means that each face will always be that
face.
Also, a common mistake when people first approach an unsolved cube is to
think they have to solve 54 stickers. This is wrong, as there are only
20 pieces that actually move around - 8 corner pieces and 12 edge
pieces.
Throughout this website, it will be assumed that the first face is the
white face. Every single time you do the cube, you should start with the
white face so you get used to always looking out for the same colours
at different stages. If I were to pick up a cube and start with, say,
the green face, I would get hideously confused when it came to the last
layer because I am so used to looking for yellow pieces instead of blue
ones.
The first thing you have to do is to create a cross on the first layer, like so:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tRl3-XNPrKgCY5NWztybQENrpXZNur9OM6inQH9mEG3I2uojw264KmBvnCpos-8K6IFWzx4MsU5sapGX2EBUeqLq7zor7DprZXbfIEs53qZT9oYnEYGyh6=s0-d) |
Grey cubies show cubies that aren't important at this stage - just ignore them. |
There aren't many algorithms to achieve this as it relies mostly on logic, but there are some scenarios you can watch out for:
It is also important to remember that the edge colours have to be aligned with the centers like this:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_v6aGJNlRm2FeNRibFFOJh1otu1JOOPzgz7kTDKs_DK9gcLnNm2xi6mcBq1WUwsKLbSKoON_YiicG6O5IkLVnlcRqdMHTiqGt6be0TbxIU36uqMbbXzOX_D=s0-d)
and not like this:
The next step is to put the corners in, like this:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_v2h6HZL4CxMsZEcC4sH4-JRagX0KeIk5qyTRjoP-bf4lxk1jIEPpUQpv1yKTeJOKJ2BcYBiCT37V-hW40qhZkUk3EyDH2OjOrmHSCbAYUayW32ulDx2295=s0-d)
Just like the edge pieces before, it is important that the corner pieces match with the pieces around it, i.e. not like this:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_u7008Jw37hrJ06YNG3DEb3GvEDl0FHqJ0ijCTQNtrBHD8bttg48SA--NvEz_bxGZS_5DhNE5F0ALpPUKbEgIhjZLEPv7BHhYU8hXD4KdzX-BC4OYOToZmc=s0-d)
The corners will most likely be on the bottom layer. It is important to
first put the cubie you wish to move underneath where it needs to go.
That is, the white-blue-red cubie should be underneath the
white-blue-red corner. There is an algorithm for each situation:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vZdWhYilxIi_mISADdzBwdaQZpAvUE94hazWGnsHJ0HKw2V3jOnkqAyzcJOgBum2T5PUP1SOfoCCI__mENjSrBhdHbw6CZZts5TGE0sDOZODQx0lb6pzwh=s0-d) |
| F D F' |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tinh21Zsa8bsQ-AVYGHqszu8YWD1Mc6wWZZkpaxX7uuhhLzOTcLeAkckxfUNV7Y1P3XwaDKNdRjrHM_8irHFEHhvhNW4et_pOZXtvIJxSsmdxC2DFS4PwD=s0-d) |
R' D' R |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sGETuiy5Ne3DgOZGCG0qPWHYadE1ZW_KFYnZWod5tTcWkeqsO-MpNTaeYne27KkwoLqWPVNrNWuyNWSdd_Jgp1xAMvTFh6EZsEMeRqJZUg9kVzgwK0e8Ni=s0-d) |
R' D R F D2 F' (The white sticker on the corner is on the bottom.) |
In some cases, the corner will be on the top layer but just needs reorienting or repositioning, for example:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_v27rjTj2Nu5aLB0m22j6J5EJfLYqTuqxZtQvXpbf5kaozStV_JnCuxuO5lHcjbJ-Vya1hBDclLOWEZM7zfFwQNbpRtnPMk8pPfW4e8PwWaNcV7y_Ql_NIq=s0-d) |
R' D R F D F' The last three moves are from before - the cubie just had to put in the proper place first. |
If a corner cubie is in the top layer but in the wrong place, it also
needs to be taken down to the bottom layer. This can be done with either
of the following algorithms:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_upQ06ujdHcmADwEelmXq52b28_x0qS0_Y_h_KR1VICDHsrPNtyfAEubYphERrPr85cYdesBNP1XweYhVNsf2XHDWTjmpnhzOSSnf0EIRlVSj9yuJjEuhSB=s0-d) |
| F D' F' or R' D R |
Once the cubie as on the bottom layer, it can be put it in the correct
place by using the above algorithms. When you can, always try to use one
of the first two instead of the third as they are shorter and will save
you time.
The next step is to put the four second layer pieces in the right place, like this:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tUi--DLc8-6KT_2Vri9Q4CrVai32a2q6hYR-EUNgX6PBefzSSuROReoMUSXH3BUZgRqQwd7qMbI_Pfxk5ZADCYHPJsLGQyX0lD7sFJCWAK9HhqxO3RAdE=s0-d)
The first thing to do is to turn the cube upside-down, so you have this:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uP9u_JR3qQM9u_SsquoQE2dahb2HmQ1UjpiUAShPXDQbwo_Cgp5YTEUwSdnQ8YkLB5qz7Q0tUOVkEzrXCc58jAdE8kI7S5RCf48RxJr2jKIr8vxr1DYapr=s0-d)
Then find the piece that you need to put in the correct place - in this
case the blue and red edge piece. You need to get to one of two
situations:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_t5-WG4PnAa7QssDHDErhXoeB9krxJl2jEgAM7ONT_OkJ7edjZ9FewTyPgeYKoNAIc8aTvBjrbLKO2S3lr8kyofeAgG8kiejlPmfqSGpyhxN2qCj-L2ewc=s0-d) |
or |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tMfbPHV4y_DZlcDhaTfkcLhTlBtUeKQkU8LaJ2CphIznpZoZvNIb3TQM1eG9FcBOgms4P3xiYSJnQsS-iRCTh3CUDhGr3EsC2m15LKdDPD6NF3g2_ZCVws=s0-d) |
To put the piece in the correct place, you need one of two algorithms,
and one is the inverse of the other. These are the longest algorithms
you'll need to learn.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uHMEIfWG3SbVy5lLEuiiurVvuZsEw125m-x2TCaDa7fC9Mhq5VYD0-y_9c7dnehdnd5yhDk5yn0Kpt1s27ZTWdLoX1gVXolboKq7rCHxfRb2w5DzOXM2Fj=s0-d) |
U R U' R' U' F' U F |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uCenzgakRXkDf9gIA3_fvw6jDptthIulY-5rEgf-ZeFQYtUaSOvdFdsQNF2BoyvyAPXCVBoMkDaVBt7XGkw-E8JYDSsT4L6waddneViwPDC3Tk9zaefFo=s0-d) |
U' L' U L U F U' F' |
Sometimes, the second layer is sneaky and will throw this sort of situation at you:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uyj1PZrION22Iemj-3ZDVzSKVRfLHG5LO-_Kc826ncb3Ww2qepiPTFC9qQxAOyCv8k4axJMw-E2iGgeIFSY6qsfNORGs0ylp2HhrDCxDdULci2Y4g9xIg=s0-d)
Here, none of the second layer pieces are in the right places but you
can't get to one of the above situations. To fix this, just do the
algorithm anyway. In the above picture, using the first algorithm on the
yellow-red edge piece will displace the orange-green piece, like so:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uOWrNjhcMfuO8h2vwWEXcAZ99JCY92XNWyl9RoaxzNllPnRdX3OD92MGBflI3Idk-eGaccbj_bPnWcUvxsn3iFqgaTaCT8SQo_GpcBB91u7h5-GJA1AomQIw=s0-d)
Now that the orange-green piece is in the top layer, you can solve it like normal.
Sometimes, you may meet this situation:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vKJqRjN-9ARUclEQbjW8_37Gf-SWQjkhSFTChdy9dzTmS_-5SsflSdcSCqNRWIbEjF5INMjK6D3RCgmM0xAHy-o5wQqwTiHRqnzMm-EhHXdJPqQ8HNYzXM=s0-d)
You can solve this in the same way as before, by using the normal
algorithm on a yellow edge piece and displacing the red-blue piece so it
can be solved as normal. Or, if you're feeling clever, you can show it
who's boss and give it a bit of the old R U' R' U F' U2 F U F' U2 F.
There will be times where there is a piece where another piece needs to go, like this:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uygRT9DX3Ce6bYDRU9BGG0ssrO0rXaKgG1ma15ct45_Z0taxrJ0fGajh5RI-6UDQ3g4vOi8j0MUdesDtfz6Umj2ILU1s1YH2naCqF2Hey8Z2-PyNCzGzd7=s0-d)
Don't be tempted to remove this piece in order to put it in the right
place, as that takes time. Instead, put the red and blue piece there
like normal and this will displace the foreign piece. This way, the
algorithm only needs to be done once and not twice. The foreign piece
can then be put in its correct place like normal.
As the name suggests, this stage comprises of creating a cross on the last layer, like this:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uhpzsH719iSloGLpB8AuZj8KMT2-3dU5GRgifQq4Lq5bPyUi2S0Y0PUmsYkYuxLvp3_yOThIlpDSsOAYRjYNvjRp-tFfNBjpt8802rFTWy_WLtASESkGzX=s0-d)
This can't be done in the same way as the first cross, so there are two small algorithms to learn.
Before you begin, you will be in one of four situations:
L, for example: |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_ul3o1VeEHq5d6LbSXQ5o0Tpuiof864CCRG3juMJZM110RVJ8d0qURUYJNnKwLMA0xpB6Cb-suypqehbgmLJ2RRGzlmgOV-7yMnVlULIA2AcXfwe-JPtQ=s0-d) |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_ubZQolzzjc3qBaJ4PVAVYiAgaAiY_do_26zZ9tnexsrbcShP_Xokjp0am8oasFTs11KJ3KQmwm3e-c6CzAjMz79RTKkiiN_VaQvq9QcZgE_ivK3nLXspea=s0-d) |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_v9RWb7FXTDFhx3cCnghXzmSvfNUl3cvzGnCi-0AvBuF5TLafJUy4BtAKgBEF7X0CxkCQQjoaIo9g6xxAqQ_2ANuwvIG_u60jos-Zj2HOVNmWxaPGeSxEGJ=s0-d) |
Line, for example: |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_u4qdzLTCYVcFl8UrWQuzIT81ytVWFvFvnhfZpW3cKJW39WqKhbvvqLF1tKUCmG6p-Jy_FwHdZRHw-IhZi5oav4Rre3IdDykz9TY__o4lrt7ePPfCTk2lja=s0-d) |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vZUYN_2pzLtU8_OE7kGSS1e0Bhyxk-JxSgfiQE7HDwdXXk7GikjKmuThZbKUAH2mb_W1vjKw5pyLFeRGrIvn81xoY_OszAfK6-wj8HmBTPiETXZc1TJsH5=s0-d) |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tB4oz63JlUdSBDQYCTFB6ONOk_-s3LmBvzw7Wm4IdixuZLZzIw9Efu-JYFycaW_EHCWhZLbKnKNNu-D46so9TG91DA95aCOzdGICyQlC5bpDeipFkDfiAg=s0-d) |
Dot, for example: |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sGdkisIfVbYm6fRp2LuQO9XW90gJ9off8yzGXmXjCPPpe2CqVMxUaJeXlLk3wUD-r_3m5XZcUj66spGJ1ZZ8ksTu4KFeVcwG2cATYARKRPpmtxzGmNRI4=s0-d) |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_s43DIxOe6n2YNlzvbbUVbcjKZpC5-yTQ1hJVsToG0GtQxG-t9Aq_t9wyalRDF_TgCcd4UVvVAT__HInVkqw0doQEVF1prC9PCn_xNhui2cAs5uR2nsSGBR=s0-d) |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vggM2J9U5vhHj5t8SNbpb1XkSKaQBRloYSYWVJy5Um5E_GBzWWPKr8nb3K1xXo0FsdOYG6PyJpj-AsPZm5F2pi7-II6FxESWLci7VnZub-znuiZfnEI1PdWA=s0-d) |
Cross, for example: |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uhpzsH719iSloGLpB8AuZj8KMT2-3dU5GRgifQq4Lq5bPyUi2S0Y0PUmsYkYuxLvp3_yOThIlpDSsOAYRjYNvjRp-tFfNBjpt8802rFTWy_WLtASESkGzX=s0-d) |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tzn0cQTOqVr5clHN_KWLORZPUcZAjIpe-LQfk_LyblXzBT8u_eUO2qR_cXcYjo36H6W_i-AsX7JwCnaKVKTNPkTRj61DdyqclFCEigZniQW5HUxxEXV8kM=s0-d) |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vqHTskBHFcae_nns7DbzgJWI8idqPbb7aUnrjyT7M-4MfMrLD_FtC3uLlfdkLrz2t4Y7LxhEf0MhqgSPZDUIgjLg7_xebCeq9Sl_Tops9ddKLO6Qh2A0jN=s0-d) |
Each situation is treated slightly differently, and for your convenience
I have provided a table to show which algorithm to use at each
situation. Obviously, if you already have a cross, move on to the next
step!
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_ul3o1VeEHq5d6LbSXQ5o0Tpuiof864CCRG3juMJZM110RVJ8d0qURUYJNnKwLMA0xpB6Cb-suypqehbgmLJ2RRGzlmgOV-7yMnVlULIA2AcXfwe-JPtQ=s0-d) |
F U R U' R' F' |
Make sure you hold the L in the top left corner (like in the picture) |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_u4qdzLTCYVcFl8UrWQuzIT81ytVWFvFvnhfZpW3cKJW39WqKhbvvqLF1tKUCmG6p-Jy_FwHdZRHw-IhZi5oav4Rre3IdDykz9TY__o4lrt7ePPfCTk2lja=s0-d) |
F R U R' U' F' |
Make sure you hold the line horizontally |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sGdkisIfVbYm6fRp2LuQO9XW90gJ9off8yzGXmXjCPPpe2CqVMxUaJeXlLk3wUD-r_3m5XZcUj66spGJ1ZZ8ksTu4KFeVcwG2cATYARKRPpmtxzGmNRI4=s0-d) |
Use both, in either order. Using the L algorithm gets you to a line, so you can then use the line algorithm, and vice versa |
This step will change the orientation of the edges of the cross you just created to line up with the centers, like such:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_s_3UJJAw4g7fRriB8hhnCUE1zHsh1XU2Z0WEVvQjULXx1UzTRGCNon8TGVeW_VuhO9J50Ndq1NiKp4KeZYhFesKezkOM-hC6rvgeFZaOTn-VYgM_j_LXXn=s0-d)
There is one algorithm to achieve this:
R U R' U R U2 R' U
It is quite easy to remember, as it only uses the right and up face, and
the up face only moves clockwise.
However, the cube must be held in a specific way before the algorithm is
applied. Firstly, twist the top face until two of the edges are
correct. There will always be two that are correct, whether they be
adjacent or opposite each other.
If they are adjacent, hold one correct one away from you and one in your right hand, like this:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vLIBOFlN3IKHJzsX9cP5gS8oWRnBfZw8Sbj47CTppNLUJHmlJVhn3x3SltzgwKbXNhHKHrviSD0f1SIrzvY6DPTxa9jCM_hwNn1bnUWrjqvEBW0hJbqocA=s0-d)
If they are opposite each other, hold one correct one away from you and the other towards you, like this:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vY6QflrpGKsDxPudn-Em3SsHTOOQqf02nktp2QgyWaYiJbiwWukN6llIq-j_PzYUUmkL38zVdoDzeitErMUgfUDbF_n9U7MGoYUbyFnhie3MhXaiBtaunc=s0-d)
If they are opposite each other, applying the algorithm will change it
so they are adjacent to each other. You then apply the algorithm again
(holding it correctly) and they will all be correct.
This step alters the corners so they are all in the right place, but not necessarily in the right orientation, like this:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vleA-09J4jKnpt2AHjIvkY4bwDidRqLZVkkeNm8KRtJRnPfiMfk07P_l93ASES1yLYquTjpdGBmOvuWx7rtLKh-1iSb20_wQVkbBoO1xc2TU1G5w5GEA=s0-d) |
This is just an example - your corners may be in a different orientation once you've done this. |
First thing to do is to examine your cube and see if there are any
corners that are already in the right place, e.g. the red, blue and
yellow one in the picture above. It's in the right place, just not the
right way around. If there are,
make sure you hold it in the bottom
right corner of the top face when you apply the algorithm - but don't
move the top layer, move the whole cube to put it there. If there aren't any correct, you can apply the algorithm when the cube is held in any way (yellow face on top of course).
The algorithm is this:
U R U' L' U R' U' L
Some people (including myself) prefer to think of this as the top face,
the right side away, the top face back again, the left side away, top
side back again, right side towards, top side back again, left side
towards. After the algorithm, the corner cubies (except the one in the
bottom right - your possibly correct one) will have changed around. If
they still aren't all correct, keep applying the algorithm until it is.
If you started with one correct, you'll only have to do this algorithm
twice. If you didn't, it may take more.
This is the last step, so will result in the completed cube:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vSAy21oaqNgH3_g17q5Iq_qLB0twC1zh0Pzw_dTo1Lgysc9ZEI4L5KxToeg7MH9OvRQ8zanovUQ5eT1H4ELfX-SZ_6atsEjV3T1auzA6OuUUyqz1glnZar0w=s0-d)
I advise that you read through this section completely before attempting
it. If you mess it up, you'll ruin everything, become sad and
frustrated, and have to start all over again.
There is only one algorithm for this section:
R' D' R D
(Reminder - it is important that the turns are done
as if you were looking directly at the face! Don't let the Ds catch you
out!)
This algorithm gets applied
multiple times to each
incorrectly oriented cubie
(that is, every corner cubie that does not have yellow on the top). If
you don't have any, congratulations! You've solved the Rubik's Cube. But
if you do, read on.
You must hold any incorrect cubie in the bottom right of the up face
(the Red-Blue-Yellow corner in the below picture, as Blue is the front).
Then apply the algorithm repeatedly until the yellow side of that cubie
is pointing upwards. This will be either two or four times:
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_saZ_PJ_Woz9jykRYuRtuOffUnHDn6jaD_uvnkJbkrZMn-GYa1BNS0lwEfAUkgzIdkUf9BNxkqvFui9ky9AAYSYHSr3Mje-HWnfNtJdipgdhzyhjF6B_c5_=s0-d) | Do the algorithm twice. |
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uK5yWDibjcMUcEGnx99V0qZoGrSB-sQ-Xjt7cqYtIaLCl7m6CCtskY3v8uAENdrBxwscmlvr9oKhxw86Oi1C8ymFosTE6HKx36JGUBk4vPAkdWFxCaUj9D=s0-d) | Do the algorithm four times. |
Once the two or four algorithms are completed, twist
only the top face until another incorrectly oriented cubie is in the bottom right of the top face and
do the algorithms again on that incorrect cubie.
Whilst you are doing these algorithms, the bottom two layers of the cube
may become a jumbled mess. Worry not! They are sensible, and will
resolve themselves once you have finished the algorithms on the last
incorrect cubie.
Once these algorithms are complete, you are only one or two turns away from completing the Rubik's Cube.
0 comments: