3 Rubik’s Cube Algorithms to Solve Common Tricky Situations
Rubik cube is one of the most famous gaming products when it comes to brain teaser games. As per popularity, it is very difficult to solve cubes without knowing its algorithms as per cubes types. As said, Rubik cubes have many types according to difficulty levels. You can look for its types at Cubelelo.com. In this article, we have mentioned the easiest and important algorithms to solve Rubik’s cube:
- The Fridrich Method or the CFOP
It is meant for speedcubing. It helps in increasing efficiency. The working mechanism divides the cube in layers to solve them separately instead of solving one face at a time.
- Cross
The aim is to form a cross. For effective time management, begin with white face down. Owing to the various possibilities of arranging the cube, you have to rely on your intuition. It requires an average of 7 rotations to reach the cross for advanced cubers. Aim on forming the cross in such a way that the side of every white edge should be identical to the color of the lateral centre tiles.
- First Two Layers
In this step, you aim to solve two layers at the same time, instead of solving them separately. There are various algorithms to do this, but it is usually done by intuition. As many combinations are possible, you select the one you are confident about.
With 41 possible combinations, you have to decide which one is the best choice for you. You are required to unscramble the four corners of the first layer and four middle layers, edges. You will have to get together the matching corner and the edge tiles into the blocks. Unscramble the blocks so as to bring them in their proper position. Continue this process until the top two levels are solved.
- Orient Last Layer (OLL)
The aim here is to arrange the last layer precisely. It is okay if the colors are mismatched. That will be corrected in the following step. You will get the top most face of identical color. If the white pieces are on the bottom layer, then on the top layer you will have yellow. After this, either you will reach the two look OLL or the one look OLL.
The Two-Look OLL is comparatively easy but slow. You have to arrange the last layer edge pieces. You can try any three algorithms for this, according to your preference. Then, arrange the corner pieces of the last layer. This can be done in seven ways, depending on the pattern you have attained.
If you get the One-Look OLL, it is faster. It uses an algorithm to correct the orientation of the last later. It requires you to remember several algorithms to get this step correctly.
- Permutation of Last Layer (PLL)
Here, you have 21 combinations possible. There are 2 techniques available – one look and two look. In the two look PLL, you can unscramble the cube within 2 algorithms and are advised for beginners.
Now, you need to recreate the top facing corner pieces. To do this, use either the Aa-perm and the E-perm algorithm. Then, reform the edges. After this, there are 4 possible variations and corresponding algorithms for the same. After applying the relevant algorithm, you will have a perfectly unscrambled cube!
As the name suggests, one look PLL has only one algorithm, it requires memorizing a lot of algorithms but it is time efficient.
- Roux Method
The Roux Method is for advanced cubers.
- one side, build a 1x2x3 Block
For right handed cubers, begin with the L-side. After this, you will find that you have solved the edges on the back layer, front faces, and down along with the left and right center. Additionally, the faces on the bottom layer, back, and left faces will be solved. The number of possible combinations is huge, so trust your intuition in this method.
- On the Opposite Side, build a 1x2x3
The french cuber Roux advises to start with the corner edge pair and later add the missing edge which will be succeeded step by step to solve the last corner and edge. For this you will have to practice an algorithm so that you know it well.
- Solve the Remaining 4 Corners
This stage is a difficult one. The cube may be arranged in 48 possible arrangements. There will be more than one possible arrangement, so you have to remember this collection of algorithms in different settings.
- Solve Remaining 6 Edges and 4 Centers
After this, you will probably need 15 moves or less to get the desired result.
Firstly, orient the edges. You can attain it by shifting the middle and upward faces, to save moves as well.
Now, you have to unscramble the right and left edges of the upper side. This step will solve the right and left side of the layers too. Then, unscramble the center and edges of the middle face. Now, you can have any three arrangements, which you do not need to learn.
- ZZ Method
This method was created by Zebigniew Zborowski, is a novel method. The steps are-
- EO Line
The aim is to arrange the edges of the cube (EO) as well as get edges DF and DB, in Line. After this, you can end by merely rotating the L,R and U facets of the cube. This step requires a lot of introspection before solving it. If perfected an average of 6 moves will get you through it.
- First Two Layers
In this step, the aim is to unscramble the first two layers. You will have to construct two blocks of 1x2x3 on both sides of the Line made in the first step. After this, you can end by merely rotating the L,R and U facets of the cube to complete it.
- Last Layer (LL)
The final step is to unscramble the last layer. This can be solved by one look or two look method. The one look method is challenging as it has 493 possible algorithms. While the two look method has 20 possible algorithms.
About the Author
Unnati Rathi
Writer at www.cubelelo.com, studying law from Pune, India. Things which keeps her busy in her free time are puzzles, cubes and brain teasers. Apart from this, she loves to read, play basketball in her free time and discuss ideas, thoughts and philosophies.
