|
I remember when I started learning how to solve a cube, my friend (Phil) taught me a really simple CFOP method.
What is CFOP? Well, CFOP was invented by Jessica Fridrich (website here) and you can say we're solving it layer by layer. CFOP stands for: Cross, First 2 Layers, Orienting Last Layer (OLL) and Permutating Last Layer (PLL).
Cross means solving the White Cross (or cross of any colour), which I'm going to explain below...
First 2 Layers means solving the first 2 layers (duh?).
OLL means solving the yellow face (or the face opposite the face you've solved for the cross).
PLL means solving the rest (the final step).
Many professional cubers use this method to achieve sub-20 second or even sub-10 second times.
However, mastering this method would take a lot of time and practicing... So if you're just looking for a clean simple solution to solve the cube, just stick with this solution.
If you're REALLY into cubing, you can check out the advanced solutions at Dan's Cube Station or at Jessica Fridrich's Official Site.
(P.S: We use this method to teach other people at school.)
Ok, here we go!
The White Cross
The first step is the white cross, and we're aiming to solve a perfect cross. A solved white cross should look like a white cross with all the edge pieces' coloured face match its relative center.
Like this:
 
As you can see, I've solved the white cross and not only that, but all the edge pieces of the cross match its relative center (blue with blue etc.).
To do this, there's 2 ways...
One way is the more intuitive way. Where you match the piece with its relative center and then form the cross.
However, this requires much more thinking and is relatively harder than the other method.
You can try this once you've pretty much mastered the other way.
(If you didn't know, this IS the advanced white-cross method.)
The other method (the one I was taught) is easier, but takes more time and you should really learn the intuitive one.
What you do is form a "Daisy" (named by Jessica, a classmate), which is a white cross with a yellow center.
Something like this:
As you can see, the coloured faces of each white-edge piece don't have to match its relative center.
Why? Because once you've made the Daisy, you can form the white cross by matching the coloured face with its relative center, turn that face twice, do it for the 3 other edges and you have the white cross.
Don't worry if you're not getting it cause making the cross is the hardest part, as there aren't any algorithms for it...
Therefore this step requires some lots of intuitive thinking and lots of practice. Practice by making a solved white-cross, scramble it and do it again. Keep doing it until you're confident.
I would say the White Cross takes the most practice to master, you just have to keep on trying I guess...
Back to top.
Beginner's First Layer
Solving the first layer.
|
