Solid: Cube
Cut 1: Face
Sequence: A
Term: 2
Cut 2: Vertex
Sequence: B
Term: 1
Analysis,
Tips & Tricks
| Name | Number | Colors | Permutation | Orientation | Orbits |
| Edge | 24 | 2 | Odd | None | 1 |
Slice Summary
| Cut Type | Layer | Period | Pieces Affected | Total Parity |
| Face | 1 | 4 | 1. 3 Edge Four Cycles | Odd |
| Vertex | 1 | 3 | 1. 2 Edge Three Cycles | Even |
Method 1
This method solves the puzzle by corner groups. Note that this is not a reduction method; it does not have a grouping phase and a final solve. There are a few problems with a corner reduction method, which are mentioned below.
First, it is possible to form two corners with the same three colors. Obviously this is not a solvable situation. A reduction method would have to take care to avoid this. Also, this puzzle can be solved into two different color schemes, but the color scheme is determined after the first corner. This means that during a corner reduction method, it is possible to solve some corners according to one color scheme and some according to the other. This will manifest itself as an inability to solve the last few corners; it will look like a few pieces are oriented wrongly (although the pieces are actually unflippable).
Step 1 - Form a Reference Corner
Reference points are very important on this puzzle, so begin by grouping three edges into a corner. Any three matching pieces will be a valid corner. If the first two pieces set up an invalid corner, then the third piece needed to complete the corner will not exist.
Step 2 - Solve three adjacent Corners
Solve the three corner groups adjacent to the reference corner. This step can be done without prior knowledge of color scheme, however knowing the three pairs of opposite colors on the puzzle will help. To deduce opposite colors from a scrambled puzzle, note that three color combinations are not present on any edge piece; these are the three pairs of opposite colors.
Step 3 - Solve the opposite Corner
Solve the corner group opposite to the reference corner. This will set up the puzzle so the final three corner groups can be sliced by one vertex twist; they will be adjacent to the corner just solved. Make full use of 4-move three-cycles such as the one given below to form the corner. If the corner is not in the correct place once it is grouped, it takes 4.33 moves (on average) to put it there: the sequence below and possibly one vertex twist.
Three cycle pieces: U- DBR+ U+ DBR-
Move corner from DFR to UFR: F+ R- F- R+
Step 4 - Group the last three Corners
Group the last three corners in this step. They do not need to be solved, but solving while grouping will save time in step 5. At this point the two three-cycles below are helpful. The first moves pieces between three corner groups; the second moves pieces between only two corner groups. Also, feel free to twist the vertex of the opposite (step 3) corner if it groups the corners quickly. If there is a situation needing only one swap of pieces to complete the corners, swap the other four pieces around them and proceed to step 5.
Three cycle peices: DBR+ U2 DBR- U2
Three cycle pieces: UFL+ (R- DFR+ R+) UFL- (R- DFR- R+)
Two swap pieces: UFR+ UBL+ D2 UFR+ UBL+ D2 UFR+ UBL+
Step 5 - Solve the last three Corners
At this point, the corner permutation can be solved, a single swap, or a three-cycle, and the orientation can be anything. The permutation sequences all have the opposite (step 3) corner at UFR. In this step, more than just the last three corners may become incorrectly oriented, either from step 4 or from performing a single swap of corners. Before applying a two-corner twist make sure that the corners are twisted in opposite directions. If they are twisted in the same direction, two applications of the one corner twist are necessary.
Swap two corners: (F+ D+ F- R-) U2 (R+ F+ D- F-) U-
Three cycle corners: (L+ D- L-) U2 (L+ D+ L-) U2
Twist one corner: R+ UFL+ R- UFL+ R+ UFL+ R- UFL+
Twist two corners: (U2 F2 R2 F2) DFR+ (F2 R2 F2 U2) DBL-
Twist three corners: R+ U+ R- U+ R+ U2 R- U2