Rubiks Cube Workshop 2010

For any doubts/queries, please mail us at Abhinay Jain - abhinay_jain@iitb.ac.in Ankush Jain ankush12389@gmail.com We will be using layer by layer method to solve the cube here. For the purpose of uniformity you are advised to keep the white face at bottom (Most cubers use this as white stands out among other colours). All the algorithms have been written assuming the white layer/bottom layer is always at bottom except Layer 3 - Step3. The methods given in this handout are most basic ones needed to completely solve a Rubiks cube. Some algorithms mentioned in the slides may be more advanced. Please make sure you are comfortable with these before proceeding to the ones from the slides. Layer 1(bottom) 1. Edge Pieces (Cross) - Make a white cross matching the colours on the lateral faces. a. Step 1 - Move the PUC in the top layer i. Case 1 - Already in top layer - Be happy ii. Case 2 - In middle layer in RF (Right, Front) position. Use *RUR+ iii. Case 3 - In Bottom Layer in DF (Down, Front). Use [FF] b. Step 2- Rotate the top layer until the PUC is directly above its CP and is in UF (Up, Front) position i. Case 1 - White on top - Use [FF] ii. Case 2 - White Lateral - Use *URFR+ 2. Corner Pieces - Arrange the corner pieces again taking care of the lateral faces a. Bring the corner piece above its CP making sure it is in UFR (Up, Front, Right) position and use[RURU] 1/3/5 times Layer 2(middle) Edge Pieces Move the PUC from top layer to CP a. Step 1 - Move the PUC to the top layer i. Case 1 - Already in top layer - Be happy ii. Case 2 - In Middle layer - Move another piece in its position from the top layer using the algorithmsfrom step b. b. Step 2 - Rotate the top layer until the lateral colour of PUC matches the center piece of its lateral face making sure it is in the UF (Up, Front) position i. Case 1 -Lateral face containing the second colour of the PUC is in R (Right) plane. Use *URURUFUF+ ii. Case 2 - Lateral face containing the second colour of the PUC is in L (Left) plane. Use *ULULUFUF+

Layer 3(top) 1. Edge Piece Orientation - Make a yellow cross a. Case 1 - Already cross - Be happy b. Case 2 - Line - Rotate top layer such that the line is UL (Up, Left) to UR (Up, Right) and use *FRURUF+ c. Case 3 - L - Rotate top layer such that the L is UL (Up, Left) to UB (Up, Back) and use *FURURF+ d. Case 4 - Dot - Use algorithm in case 2 in any orientation to convert it to Case 3. (Also works the other way round.)

2. Corner Piece Orientation - Complete the yellow face (For this step, consider *Q+ = *RUURURUR+)

QUUQ QUQ

QQ

QUQUUQ

QUQUUQ

QQUUQ

Note: You can replace QUUQ with UQ where *Q+ = *LUULULUL+ 3. Corner PiecePermutation a. Case 1 - All corner pieces are permuted correctly relative to each other - Be happy b. Case 2 - Two corner pieces are permuted correctly relative to each other - Rotate top layer such that the two correctly permuted pieces are in right plane and use *xRRDDRURDDRURx+ c. Case 3 - No corner pieces are permuted correctly - Use the algorithm from case 2 to convert it into case 2. After you permute all the corner pieces relative to each other, align them relative to the cube and proceed to step 4. Note: Being permuted correctly relative to each other means they dont have to be correct relative to the rest of the cube. All you need to look for is two colours in the same face. 4. Edge Piece Permutation a. Case 1 - All edge pieces are permuted correctly Hurray!! \m/ b. Case 2 - 3 edge pieces are permuted incorrectly - Align the cube so correctly permuted edge piece is in B (Back) layer and use *RURURURURURR+. You may need to use this twice. c. Case 3 - No edge piece is permuted correctly - Use the algorithm from case 2 to convert it into case 2. Patterns Pons Asinorum : R2L2U2D2F2B2 Six Spot : U D' R L' F B' U D' Stripes : F U F R L2 B D' R D2 L D' B R2 L F U F Cube in a cube: F L F U' R U F2 L2 U' L' B D' B' L2 U Cube in cube in cube : F D F' D2 L' B' U L D R U L' F' U L U2

Glossary PUC - Piece Under Consideration CP - Correct Position References 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. http://www.worldcubeassociation.org http://www.cubestation.co.uk/ http://www.solvethecube.co.uk/ http://www.ws.binghamton.edu/fridrich/cube.html http://grrroux.free.fr/ http://www.speedcubing.com/ http://www.cubezone.be/ http://www.cubewhiz.com/