Lawrence Leung's Rubik's Cube solution (using the layer method) TIPS: Make sure your cube can be solved! A Rubik's Cube that has been smashed apart and incorrectly re-assembled may not be solvable!!! Ensure that your Rubik's Cube can be solved by smashing it apart and correctly reassembling it, then mixing it up for you to solve. Algorithms: To solve the Rubik's Cube we will use numerous algorithms, basically an algorithm is a sequence of moves that allow you to move any pieces without ruining the good work you have already done. F = FACE U = UP B = BACK Rubik's Cube algorithm notation: Fi = FACE INVERTED Ui = UP INVERTED Bi = BACK INVERTED L = LEFT D = DOWN Li = LEFT INVERTED Di = DOWN INVERTED SOLVING THE TOP LAYER OF THE RUBIK'S CUBE Skill level - BASIC STEP 1. SOLVING THE TOP LAYER Make an X on the top layer *Your goal is to create an X on the top, with all the side colours correct on the correct face. STEP 2. SOLVING THE TOP LAYER Align the corner pieces directly below their correct positions. STEP 3. SOLVING THE TOP LAYER With the finished X facing Up, shuffle the corner pieces into their correct positions using the following algorithm: Ri - Di - R - D Repeat this algorithm until the corner piece is in the corrent location on the top layer. Lawrence Leung's Rubik's Cube solution (using the layer method) HOW TO SOLVE THE MIDDLE LAYER OF THE RUBIK'S CUBE Skill level - BASIC The middle layer requires moving only four pieces into their correct positions using one algorithm (in forward and reverse sequence). At this stage those four remaining pieces will be in one of 3 possible scenarios: a. on the bottom layer b. in the wrong position on the middle layer c. in the correct position but facing the wrong way on the middle layer When the middle piece is in either: b. or, c. - you will use the algorithm to replace your piece with another piece and get your piece on the bottom layer. STEP 1. SOLVING THE MIDDLE LAYER With the finished top layer facing up, and the piece you want to move facing you on the bottom layer and the position you want to move the piece on your LEFT - use the following algorithm: D - L - Di - Li - Di - Fi - D - F STEP 2. SOLVING THE MIDDLE LAYER With the finished top layer facing up, and the piece you want to move facing you on the bottom layer and the position you want to move the piece on your RIGHT - use the following algorithm: Di - Ri - D - R - D - F - Di - Fi The middle layer of the rubik's cube is now complete. Lawrence Leung's Rubik's Cube solution (using the layer method) HOW TO SOLVE THE FINAL LAYER OF THE RUBIK'S CUBE Skill level - EXTREME The final layer is the most complicated layer and many things can go wrong if you don't pay attention! Solving the final layer of the Rubik's Cube consists of the following 4 steps and 4 corresponding algorithms: Step 1. create an X on the final layer Step 2. correctly align the X and the side colours of the middle pieces Step 3. shuffle the corners to the correct position (but face colours not necessarily correctly orientated) Step 4. shuffle the corners into correct position and face colours correctly orientated STEP 1. SOLVING THE FINAL LAYER Your goal is to create an X on the bottom layer of the rubik's cube. At this stage the bottom and final layer will look like one of the following: a. only the middle piece in the correct position (it doesn't move) b. a line of correctly aligned colours (possibly a 'T' shape) c. a 'L' shape of correct colours d. an X of correct colours (highly unlikely) With the finished top layer facing up, and the side you want to move on your RIGHT, use the following algorithm to create an X on the final layer of the Rubik's Cube: Ri - Di - B - D - Bi - R Repeat this algorithm many times until you have an X on the final layer of the rubik's cube. *TIPS: If you have a 'T' or 'L' shape, try keeping the side that is most solved on your left as you repeat the algorithm. If after repeating the algorithm 10+ times and you still can't get an X on the final layer. I suggest you undo and resolve the MIDDLE LAYER of the Rubik’s Cube in order to shuffle those difficult last pieces into better positions . ENSURE THAT YOUR CUBE IS SOLVABLE! Has your cube been smashed apart and incorrectly re-assembled? Lawrence Leung's Rubik's Cube solution (using the layer method) STEP 2. SOLVING THE FINAL LAYER At this stage you should have an X on the final layer and will be faced with one of the following scenarios: a. no correctly aligned side colours b. an X with one correctly aligned side colour c. an X with two adjacent correctly aligned side colours d. an X with two non adjacent correctly aligned side colours e. an X with all correctly aligned side colours (highly unlikely) - if so proceed to STEP 4. In all scenarios, (except e.) you will need to do the following: with the finished top layer of your Rubik’s Cube facing up and either scenario a., b., c., or d., sides facing away from you (if only one side solved, keep it on your left but facing away from you) use the following algorithm: Ri - D - D - R - D - Ri - D - R Align the solved side pieces of the Rubik’s Cube and repeat this algorithm many times. *TIPS: If after repeating the algorithm 10+ times and you still can't get a correctly aligned X on the final layer. I suggest repeating the Algorithm in STEP 1. then repeating STEP 2. in combination. If that still doesn't work, try moving the solved side to other sides and repeating the algorithm. STEP 3. SOLVING THE FINAL LAYER At this stage you should have an X with all correctly aligned side colours. You will also have one of the following scenarios: a. no correct corner pieces in the correct positions b. one or more correct corner pieces in the correct positions but colours facing the wrong way c. one or more correct corner pieces in the correct positions with colours facing the correct way With the bottom layer facing toward you, shuffle the corner pieces into the correct positions (but not necessarily the correct face colour orientation) using the following algorithm: Ri - F - L - Fi - R - F - Li Repeat this algorithm many times until you have all corner in the correct positions (but not necessarily the correct colour faces). Lawrence Leung's Rubik's Cube solution (using the layer method) STEP 3. SOLVING THE FINAL LAYER continued STEP 4. SOLVING THE FINAL LAYER At this stage you will have one of the following scenarios: a. all pieces in the correct positions but colours facing the wrong way b. one or more pieces in the correct positions but colours facing the wrong way Use the following algorithm to correctly orientate the pieces in the correct position. *TIP: If you have scenario b., keep the completed solved side on your LEFT Ri - F - F - R - F - Ri - F - R - L - Fi - Fi - Li - Fi - L - Fi - Li Repeat this algorithm until you have all the corners in the correct positions. Congratulations, you have now solved the Rubik's Cube!