Solving a Rubik's Cube: Beginner's Guide

Introduction

• Matty – Ranked 6th in WCA, teaching cube solving.
• Milan/CubeHead – Joining to share beginner experiences.

Rubik's Cube Basics

• Types of Pieces:
  • Center Piece: Always stays in place.
  • Edge Piece: Has two colors.
  • Corner Piece: Has three colors.
• Cube Orientation:
  • White is opposite yellow on modern cubes.

Solving the First Layer

Step 1: Creating a White Cross

• Goal: Align white edges with their respective center colors.
• Daisy Method:
  • Create a daisy around the yellow center.
  • Focus on edge pieces with white.
  • Use necessary moves to align and connect pieces.

Step 2: Solving White Corners

• Algorithms:
  • Righty Algorithm: Right clockwise → Top clockwise → Right counterclockwise → Top counterclockwise.
  • Lefty Algorithm: Left counterclockwise → Top counterclockwise → Left clockwise → Top clockwise.
• Positioning:
  • Find a white corner piece in the top layer.
  • Align it with correct centers before applying algorithms.

Solving the Middle Layer

• Goal: Solve edges on top of the first layer.
• Procedure:
  • Identify edges without yellow in the top layer.
  • Align and use algorithms to insert correctly.

Solving the Last Layer

Step 1: Creating a Yellow Cross

• Patterns:
  • Line: Place line horizontally, use Righty Algorithm.
  • Hook: Place hook in back left, use Righty Algorithm twice.
  • Dot: Treat as a line first, then a hook.

Step 2: Positioning Yellow Edges

• Algorithm: "Sune"
  • Used to position yellow edges correctly.
  • Align edges across or next to each other.

Step 3: Solving Yellow Corners

• Algorithm: "Niklas"
  • Ensures corners are in correct positions.
  • Check adjacent colors to confirm.

Step 4: Flipping Yellow Corners

• Technique:
  • Flip cube upside down with white on top.
  • Use Righty Algorithm until corners are solved.
  • Adjust bottom layer without rotating cube.

Conclusion

• Celebrate solving the Rubik’s Cube.
• For further learning, explore speed cubing and advanced methods.
• Consider purchasing a Speed Cube with discount code "CUBEHEAD" at "thecubicle.com".