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3x3x3 Full Beginners and
Advanced method Tutorial

3x3x3 Cube (Beginner’s)

1. Introduction

The 3x3x3 Rubik’s Cube is the most famous and iconic puzzle in the world. Solving this cube involves a series of steps to position and orient all the pieces correctly. This tutorial provides both a beginner-friendly method and an advanced technique, ensuring a comprehensive understanding for cubers at all levels.

2. Cube Notation

Understanding the notation is essential for following the algorithms:

  • U (Up): Top face of the cube.
  • D (Down): Bottom face.
  • L (Left): Left face.
  • R (Right): Right face.
  • F (Front): Front face.
  • B (Back): Back face.

A single letter means a 90-degree clockwise turn of that face. An apostrophe (e.g., U’) indicates a 90-degree counterclockwise turn, and a number 2 (e.g., U2) means a 180-degree turn.

For Detailed 3x3x3 Notation Learn More

3. Basic Concepts

  • Cross: Solving the edges of one face to form a cross.
  • First Two Layers (F2L): Solving the first layer’s corners and the second layer’s edges.
  • Orient Last Layer (OLL): Aligning all pieces of the last layer so that the top face is a single colour.
  • Permute Last Layer (PLL): Moving the pieces of the last layer to their correct positions.

4. Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Solve the White Cross

  1. Objective: Form a cross on the white face with the edge pieces correctly aligned with the center pieces on adjacent faces.
  2. Algorithm: To move an edge piece from the bottom to the correct position on the top:
    • F R U R’ U’ F’: Move the Front face 90 degrees clockwise, the Right face 90 degrees clockwise, the Upper face 90 degrees clockwise, the Right face 90 degrees counterclockwise, the Upper face 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the Front face 90 degrees counterclockwise.

Step 2: Solve the White Corners

  1. Objective: Place the white corner pieces in the correct positions in the bottom layer.
  2. Strategy: Locate the white corner pieces in the top layer or middle layer and move them to the correct position in the bottom layer.
  3. Algorithm: To insert a corner piece into the bottom layer:
    • R U R’ U’: Rotate the Right face 90 degrees clockwise, the Upper face 90 degrees clockwise, the Right face 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the Upper face 90 degrees counterclockwise. Repeat until the corner is correctly placed.

Step 3: Solve the Middle Layer Edges

  1. Objective: Position the edge pieces in the middle layer correctly.
  2. Strategy: Find an edge piece in the top layer that does not have the top colour and move it into the correct position.
  3. Algorithms: In order to align the edge pieces with their center pieces on adjacent faces, you shall firstly align the specific edge piece beneath its respective center pieces which then leads to having a possibility of two cases:

a) Case 1: Edge piece inserting towards the LHS of Centrepiece:

  • Move the edge piece which needs to be inserted away from the respective centrepiece and perform L’ , U , L , U ,   Next, insert the edge piece with its respective white corner piece together in its desired slot using R , U , R’

b) Case 2: Edge piece inserting towards the RHS of Centrepiece:

  • Move the edge piece which needs to be inserted away from the respective centrepiece and perform R , U’ , R’ , U’ ,   Next, insert the edge piece with its respective white corner piece together in its desired slot using L’ , U , L.

Step 4: Orient the Last Layer (OLL)

    1. Objective: Make the top face (yellow) a solid colour.
    2. Strategy: There are seven possible cases for orienting the last layer.
    3. Algorithms:
      • Dot Case: No edge is oriented correctly: F R U R’ U’ F’ f R U R’ U’ f’
      • L Shape: Two adjacent edges are oriented: F U R U’ R’ F’
      • Line Shape: Two opposite edges are oriented: F R U R’ U’ F’

Step 5: Permute the Last Layer (PLL)

  1. Objective: Move the pieces of the last layer to their correct positions.
  2. Strategy: There are 21 PLL cases, but the beginner method uses only two:
    • Corner Swap: R U R’ U’ L’ U R U’ L
    • Edge Swap: R U R’ U’ R’ F R2 U’ R’ U’ R U R’ F’
  3.  

3x3x3 Cube (Advanced-CFOP Method)

The advanced method typically involves a more efficient approach to solving the cube, reducing the number of moves and solving it faster. It includes using the Fridrich Method, or CFOP (Cross, F2L, OLL, PLL).

Step 1: Cross (Same as Beginner)

  1. Objective: Form a cross on the first layer.
  2. Strategy: Optimize the moves to make the cross in eight moves or less.

Step 2: First Two Layers (F2L)

  1. Objective: Solve the first two layers simultaneously.
  2. Strategy: Pair up the corner and edge pieces and insert them into the correct position.
  3. Algorithms:
    • There are multiple algorithms for each case. Here are two basic ones:
      • Basic Pair Insert (Right Side): U R U’ R’
      • Basic Pair Insert (Left Side): U’ L’ U L

Step 3: Orient the Last Layer (OLL)

  1. Objective: Make the top face a single colour.
  2. Strategy: Learn fifty-seven different algorithms for all possible OLL cases or use two-look OLL (9 algorithms).

Step 4: Permute the Last Layer (PLL)

  1. Objective: Move the pieces of the last layer to their correct positions.
  2. Strategy: Learn twenty-one different algorithms for all PLL cases or use two-look PLL (6 algorithms).

6. Practice and Tips

  1. Finger Tricks: Practice finger tricks to improve your speed and efficiency.
  2. Look Ahead: Train yourself to look ahead to the next steps while performing algorithms.
  3. Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is key to mastering both the beginner and advanced methods.

7. Conclusion

Mastering both the beginner and advanced methods will help you solve the 3x3x3 cube more efficiently. Start with the beginner’s method to understand the basics, then gradually move to the advanced techniques as you become more comfortable.

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