To solve a 2x2 Rubik's Cube, you can follow a beginner-friendly layer-by-layer method consisting of these main steps:
- Solve the First Layer (White Face)
- Choose the white face as the bottom.
- Find and position the white corner pieces so that the entire white face is solved, and the adjacent colors on those corners match the side colors.
- Use the simple algorithm R′D′RDR'D'RDR′D′RD repeatedly to insert white corner pieces correctly until the whole white face is complete
- Orient the Opposite Layer (Yellow Face)
- Flip the cube so the white face is on the bottom.
- Use the "Sune" algorithm RUR′URU2R′RUR'URU2R'RUR′URU2R′ repeatedly to orient all the yellow pieces on the top face so that the entire yellow face is yellow, though the corners may not be in the correct positions yet
- Permute the Yellow Layer (Position the Top Corners)
- Position the yellow corners correctly by swapping them using the algorithm R′FR′B2RF′R′B2R2U′R'FR'B^2RF'R'B^2R^2U'R′FR′B2RF′R′B2R2U′.
- If the corners to be swapped are diagonal, perform the algorithm once to bring them adjacent, then repeat as needed until all corners are in their correct places
- Complete the Cube
- After orienting and permuting the yellow corners, the cube should be solved.
This method requires memorizing a few simple algorithms and understanding how to manipulate the cube to position and orient the corners correctly. It is considered the easiest approach for beginners and does not require prior knowledge of solving the 3x3 cube
. For visual learners, there are many helpful video tutorials that demonstrate these steps clearly and provide practice solves
. In summary, the key algorithms are:
- R′D′RDR'D'RDR′D′RD for inserting white corners
- RUR′URU2R′RUR'URU2R'RUR′URU2R′ (Sune) for orienting yellow corners
- R′FR′B2RF′R′B2R2U′R'FR'B^2RF'R'B^2R^2U'R′FR′B2RF′R′B2R2U′ for permuting yellow corners
Following these steps will allow you to solve the 2x2 Rubik’s Cube efficiently.
