2x2x2 Full Beginners and
Advanced method Tutorial
2x2x2 Cube Tutorial (Beginners)
1. Introduction
The 2x2x2 Rubik’s Cube, also known as the Pocket Cube, is the simplest form of the Rubik’s Cube. It consists of eight corner pieces and no center pieces or edges, making it a great starting point for beginners. In this tutorial, we will guide you through solving the 2x2x2 Cube using a method that is both efficient and easy to understand.
2. Cube Notation
Before diving into the algorithms, it is crucial to understand the cube notation:
- U (Up): The top face of the cube.
- D (Down): The bottom face of the cube.
- L (Left): The left face of the cube.
- R (Right): The right face of the cube.
- F (Front): The front face of the cube.
- B (Back): The back face of the cube.
A single letter represents 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) indicates a 180-degree turn.
For Detailed 2×2 Notation Learn More
3. Basic Concepts
The 2x2x2 Cube is solved by positioning all the corner pieces correctly. Each piece has three stickers, and the goal is to align these stickers so that each face of the cube is a single colour.
4. Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Solving the first layer
- Choose a Colour: Start with one colour (e.g., white) and solve the first layer. Find the white corner pieces and move them to the correct position. This will form a white face on one side with the correct edge alignment.
- Algorithm: To position a white corner piece, use the following algorithm if the corner is in 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 piece is in place.
Step 2: Solve the Second Layer
- Positioning the Corners: Once the first layer is solved, move to the second layer. Find the remaining corners and position them correctly. The corners may need to be rotated while they are in place.
- Algorithm: To swap two corner pieces in the top layer while keeping the bottom layer intact:
- U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L: Rotate the Upper face 90 degrees clockwise, the Right face 90 degrees clockwise, the Upper face 90 degrees counterclockwise, the Left face 90 degrees counterclockwise, the Upper face 90 degrees clockwise, the Right face 90 degrees counterclockwise, the Upper face 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the Left face 90 degrees clockwise.
Video example for the 2x2x2 one colour tutorial!
Click the link for my video to get a visual insight on the 2×2: 1 colour on YouTube!
Step 3: Final Adjustments
1. Orient the Top Layer: With the first layer solved and the corners in the top layer positioned correctly, focus on orienting the top layer’s corners. This step involves rotating the pieces without disturbing their positions.
2. Algorithm: Use the following algorithm to rotate corners in the top layer:
- R U R’ U R U2 R’: Rotate the Right face 90 degrees clockwise, the Upper face 90 degrees clockwise, the Right face 90 degrees counterclockwise, the Upper face 90 degrees counterclockwise, the Right face 90 degrees clockwise, the Upper face 90 degrees clockwise, and the Right face 180 degrees.
5. Advanced Techniques
- Finger Tricks: To improve speed and efficiency, practice finger tricks to minimize cube rotations and improve solving time.
- Algorithm Practice: Familiarize yourself with the algorithms and practice them until they become second nature.
6. Practice and Tips
- Practice Regularly: Regular practice will help you become more proficient and faster at solving the cube.
- Avoid Common Mistakes: Watch out for misaligned pieces and make sure all moves are executed correctly.
7. Conclusion
Congratulations on completing the 2x2x2 Cube tutorial! With practice, you will become faster and more skilled at solving this cube. Keep exploring different methods and enjoy the process of solving.
2x2x2 Cube Tutorial (Advanced)
1. Introduction
In advanced 2x2x2 solving, the goal is to efficiently orient and permute the last layer pieces. This tutorial covers the orientation of last layer corners, which can be classified into seven distinct cases, and how to permute them to complete the cube.
2. Orientation of Last Layer Corners
After solving the first layer, you need to orient the corners of the last layer. There are seven possible cases to handle.
Case 1: All Corners Correctly Oriented
- Situation: All four corners of the last layer are correctly oriented.
- Algorithm: No additional moves required. Proceed to permutation.
Case 2: One Corner in the Correct Position
- Situation: One corner is correctly oriented; the other three need adjustment.
- Algorithm: Use the following algorithm to orient the corners:
- R U R’ U R U2 R’ U
Case 3: Two Adjacent Corners Correctly Oriented
- Situation: Two adjacent corners are correctly oriented.
- Algorithm: Position the correctly oriented corners in the front-right and front-left positions, then use:
- R U R’ U’ R U2 R’ U
Case 4: Two Opposite Corners Correctly Oriented
- Situation: Two opposite corners are correctly oriented.
- Algorithm: Position the correctly oriented corners diagonally opposite to each other, then use:
- R U2 R’ U’ R U’ R’ U’ R U R’
Case 5: Three Corners Correctly Oriented
- Situation: Three corners are correctly oriented; one needs adjustment.
- Algorithm: Position the three correctly oriented corners in the top layer and use:
- R U R’ U’ R U’ R’ U R U2 R’ U
Case 6: Two Adjacent Corners Incorrectly Oriented
- Situation: Two adjacent corners need to be oriented correctly.
- Algorithm: Hold the cube so that the two incorrectly oriented corners are in the top layer, then use:
- R U R’ U’ R U’ R’ U R U2 R’
Case 7: Four Corners Incorrectly Oriented
- Situation: All four corners need to be oriented.
- Algorithm: Perform the following algorithm:
- R U R’ U’ R U R’ U R U2 R’
3. Permuting the Last Layer Pieces
After orienting the last layer corners, the next step is to permute the corners. Here are the algorithms for permuting the corners based on the number of pieces needing permutation.
Case 1: No Pieces Moved
- Situation: All pieces are in their correct positions.
- Algorithm: No additional moves required.
Case 2: One Corner Piece Needs to be Moved
- Situation: Only one corner is out of place.
- Algorithm: Use the following algorithm to cycle the pieces:
- U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L
Case 3: Two Adjacent Pieces Need to be Swapped
- Situation: Two adjacent pieces are swapped.
- Algorithm: Use the following algorithm to swap the pieces:
- R U’ R U R U R U’ R’ U’ R2
Case 4: Two Opposite Pieces Need to be Swapped
- Situation: Two opposite pieces are swapped.
- Algorithm: Use this algorithm to swap the pieces:
- U2 R U R’ U R U’ R’ U’ R U’ R’ U R U R’
Case 5: Three Pieces Need to be Swapped
- Situation: Three pieces need to be swapped.
- Algorithm: Use the following algorithm to cycle the pieces:
- R U R’ U R U2 R’ U
Case 6: Four Pieces Need to be Swapped
- Situation: Four pieces need to be swapped.
- Algorithm: Use this algorithm to resolve:
- U R U’ R U’ R’ U’ R U’ R’ U R U R’
Case 7: Final Adjustments
- Situation: If the cube is still not solved, repeat the permutation algorithms until all pieces are in place.
4. Practice and Tips
- Practice Algorithms: Regularly practice the orientation and permutation algorithms to improve your speed and accuracy.
- Cube Notation: Familiarize yourself with cube notation and practice finger tricks to execute algorithms quickly.
5. Conclusion
By mastering the advanced method for the 2x2x2 Cube, including orientation and permutation of last layer pieces, you will be able to solve the cube more efficiently and with greater skill. Continue practicing and refining your technique to improve your solving time.
Note: There is another efficient 2x2x2 tutorial where there are different cases for different permutations of the last layer each having different formulas (Also known as 2x2x2 OLL). With this method and with sufficient practice, 2x2x2 can be solved under 15 seconds! Although, in order to master this method, 2x2x2 Beginners is recommended to be learnt and even if the above tutorial is not well versed, it shall not be a problem. Below is the link for the 2x2x2 OLL!
- https://www.rubiksplace.com/cubes/2×2/
Click the link for my video to get a visual insight on the 2×2: full cube Tutorial on YouTube!