Beginner Method

Introduction

Solving the cube is seemingly complex, but surprisingly simple. The tutorial down below is a simple way to solve this puzzle in just 8 simple steps. Believe it or not, this method is part of everybody's journey to become a pro speedsolver. Let's start YOUR journey today.

Step 1: The Daisy

The goal is to create a flower pattern on the top of the cube.

1. Hold the cube with the Yellow center facing up.
2. Find the 4 edge pieces that have White on them.
3. Place these 4 edges around the yellow center so that the white stickers are facing up.
4. It doesn't matter if the side colors match the centers yet. Just get the 4 white edges around the yellow center to look like a daisy.

Step 2: The Cross

Now we turn the Daisy into a White Cross on the bottom.

1. Look at one of the white "petals" (edges) of your daisy. Look at the color on the side of that edge (e.g., Red).
2. Rotate the top layer (U) until that edge color matches the center piece of the same color (Red edge to Red center).
3. Rotate that face 180 degrees (F2) to bring the white edge to the bottom.
4. Repeat this for all 4 edges. You should now have a white cross on the bottom with all side colors matching their centers.

Step 3: The First Layer

We need to solve the white corners to complete the first layer.

1. Hold the cube with the White Cross on the bottom.
2. Find a corner piece in the top layer that has white on it.
3. Rotate the top layer so the corner is directly above where it needs to go (between its matching centers).
4. Perform the "Right Hand Move" (which we will define formally in Step 5) repeatedly until the corner is solved:
   • Move the Right side Up.
   • Move the Top side Left.
   • Move the Right side Down.
   • Move the Top side Right.
5. Repeat for all 4 corners.

Step 4: The Second Layer

Now we solve the middle layer edges.

1. Find an edge in the top layer that does not have yellow on it.
2. Rotate the top layer so the edge matches the center color facing you, creating an upside-down "T".
3. Determine if the edge needs to go to the Right or the Left slot.
4. Moving to the Right:
   • Push the edge Away (Left).
   • Right side Up.
   • Push Top Left.
   • Right side Down.
   • Push Top Right.
   • Rotate the front face.
   • Insert the corner back in.
5. Moving to the Left:
   • Push the edge Away (Right).
   • Left side Up.
   • Push Top Right.
   • Left side Down.
   • Push Top Left.
   • Rotate the front face.
   • Insert the corner back in.

Intermission: Cube Notation

To perform complex algorithms, speedcubers use a language called Notation. Each letter corresponds to a face of the cube.

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

Note: An apostrophe (e.g., R') means turn that face Counter-Clockwise.

Step 5: The Yellow Cross

Our goal is to make a yellow cross on the top face. We ignore the corners for now. There are three patterns you might see: a Dot, an "L" shape, or a Line.

Algorithm:

F R U R' U' F'

• Dot: Perform the algorithm once to get the "L" shape.
• "L" Shape: Hold it in the top-left corner (looks like 9:00 on a clock). Perform the algorithm to get the Line.
• Line: Hold it horizontally. Perform the algorithm one last time to get the Cross.

Step 6: The Yellow Side

Now we orient all the yellow corners so the entire top face is yellow. The side colors don't have to match yet. This step uses the Sune algorithm.

Algorithm (Sune):

R U R' U R U2 R'

• Case 1 (One corner yellow): Hold the yellow corner in the bottom-left (front-left). Perform the algorithm.
• Case 2 (Zero or Two corners yellow): Hold it so a yellow sticker is on the left face, near the front. Perform the algorithm until you get to Case 1.

Step 7: Corners of the Last Layer

We need to permute the corners so they are in the correct spot. Look for "headlights" (two corners of the same color on one side).

Algorithm (T-Perm / Headlights):

R U R' U' R' F R2 U' R' U' R U R' F'

1. Find Headlights: Look around the top layer for two corner stickers of the same color on the same face.
2. Position: Put the headlights at the Back.
3. Perform Algorithm: Do the algorithm once. All corners should now be solved relative to each other.
4. No Headlights? Do the algorithm from any angle, and you will get headlights. Then repeat steps 1-3.

Step 8: Final Edges

Finally, we solve the lasting edges to complete the cube. You will have 3 or 4 edges needing to swap.

Algorithm (U-Perm):

R U' R U R U R U' R' U' R2

1. Find Solved Side: Look for one side that is completely solved.
2. Position: Hold the solved side at the Back.
3. Perform Algorithm: Do the algorithm. Alternatively, you might need to do the mirrored version or do this one twice.
4. No Solved Side? Do the algorithm from any angle to get one solved side. Then repeat steps 1-3.