Many people struggle to solve a Rubik’s Cube for days or weeks, but with patience and practice you can become a speed cuber. There are many ways to improve your solve time, such as lubricating the cube or learning different techniques.
The most popular method for solving a Rubik’s Cube is CFOP (Cross, First 2 Layers, Orientation, Permutation). It is used by all 3×3 world record holders in the last decade.
How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube Faster
While solving a Rubik’s cube can be difficult, it is not impossible. With constant practice, you can improve your solve time significantly. The key to becoming a fast Rubik’s cube is learning algorithms and permutations.
Beginners should start with the beginner method, also known as the layer-by-layer method. This involves moving the center and edge stickers to their correct positions, and then solving the top/up layers.
Once the first layer is solved, you can move on to the second. The goal here is to get the white-edge pieces lined up with their centers. To do this, start by finding a yellow corner that needs to be twisted. Then, perform the R U R’ U’ algorithm until it is in place.
Once the corners are in place, you can move on to solving the centers and edges. This is one of the most important steps in the process, and it is where most people get stuck.
Tips for Beginners
Beginners can often get confused by the many algorithms that are used in solving a cube. It is best to practice intuitive movements first to get a feel for how the pieces move around.
Beginner’s should also concentrate on orienting the corner pieces. This is a difficult step and takes a lot of practice. Once this is done it is much easier to solve the rest of the cube.
Once the corner pieces are orientated it is time to start working on solving the top layer. This is where the majority of the solve time is spent.
The most important thing to remember is that the cube is solved in layers. This means that when you solve one face, you are actually solving the other faces at the same time. This is especially important when working on the white cross.
Tips for Intermediates
If you’re an advanced cuber who wants to get to world-record speeds, it’s time to learn more efficient methods. Luckily, there are many different methods to choose from. The ZZ Method, for example, reduces the amount of movements needed by solving only the middle and up faces. It also requires fewer algorithms than the beginner’s method.
The Roux Method is another popular method that uses corner first strategies and block building. It’s important to note that this method requires some memorization, but it can save you a lot of time.
Another option is the Fridrich Method, which is a good choice for those who want to combine speed and accuracy. It uses fewer moves and is more efficient than the beginner’s method, but it still requires some memorization.
Tips for Advanced Cubers
As a cuber progresses in skill, they’ll begin to find that some moves take more time than others. This is where planning ahead comes in. Learn finger tricks and one-hand solving adaptability to reduce the number of turns it takes for you to move your cube in a certain direction.
Once you have the white cross complete, it’s important to make sure that all of your yellow edges are oriented correctly. This will save you many moves in the future. To do this, look at your top face and determine whether you see a yellow ‘L’ shape or a yellow line.
Beginners typically solve the cube using two algorithms, but advanced cubers may use up to four algorithms for a quick solution. For competitive cubers, however, mastering a one-look method is essential. This will allow you to move the pieces faster and get an edge-to-edge look. It will also make the last step much quicker.
