Advanced Cubing: F2L, OLL, and PLL (Introduction)

08/28/08

*phew*

After a long time, I’ve decided to share SOME of my knowledge about advanced solutions in cubing. These solutions cut down your moves and it varies from different situations. Before I illustrate the “moves”, you must be capable of solving the Rubik’s cube within 3-7 minutes (average). So that you would be able to cope up with the complicated situations, occurances, and points.

Move 1:F2L (First Two Layers)

- This consists of moves that solve the FIRST TWO LAYERS at the SAME time. It varies from the layering method. There are 3-4 types of F2L: Single Keyhole-Four Corners, Tri-Corner Keyhole, Edge Placing Keyhole and the Edge-Corner Combination (these terms are based on my own understanding of the move notations.

Move 2:OLL (Orientation of the Last Layer)

- This consists of 57 combinations/ occurances/ situations. This is not to scare you but to inform you of the RISK (I just familiarize a couple of moves). I will post ONLY the ones I use and the situations that show up 50-70% of the time. This move puts all misplaced blocks in their proper TOP color orientation but in the wrong place. After this comes the third move;

Move 3:PLL (Permutation of the Last Layer)

- Unlike OLL, PLL has 21 situational solutions based on the OLL you had. This corrects the placement of the cubes that are properly color-oriented at the TOP. Instead of doing the cross, corners, and the ending, you are cutting half or two-thirds of your move notations using PLL.

That’s all for today. I’ll post the move lists/ notations in the coming days.*On to pictures*

Benefits of CUBING

08/19/08

People dropping by my blog say “Anong makukuha natin dito?”

That’s the most common question that I always encounter, so I decided to post something beneficial for the readers, so that they would try to engage in cubing or playing the Rubik’s cube.

Studies show that minor mental activities can help sharpen one’s short-term memory and neuromotor skills. If the body needs physical exercises, our brain too! Our brain, as the main control center of our body, needs activities like puzzles in order to help maintain its stability and function.

“Eh, paano kung walang alam (idiot)? Paano ‘to makakatulong?“

Everyone has the capacity to think straight and sharp but we tend to hinder or get inferior with others. Each person has a brain to use, it works but it needs to function BETTER than its usual course.

“Okay, nakakatulong ito sa utak natin, may iba pa ba?“

Aside from straight and sharp mental enhancement, cubing also helps in the development of HAND-EYE coordination (for professions such as: engineers, nurses, teachers, and artists), FINGER speed/ flexibility (for handicrafts, waiters. etc.) , MEMORY enhancer (helps people who easily forgets things), and to avoid color blindness.

So much for that, it is up to us if we want to make our body healthy. Living healthy physically and mentally. Enjoy Cubing! 

Rubik’s Cube: Tips

08/1/08

For an ideal kind of cube, it’s best to put Petroleum Jelly in the cube.

How to disassemble the cube: 

Rotate a face(part of 9) of the cube 45 degrees and pull out the edge (middle) and then the corners and put a small amount of the jelly in it. Rotate face until all sectors are slippery. Return the blocks at their correct position and turn it for a few times. Repeat if necessary (to all faces/ sides)

Warning:Too much application of petroleum jelly on the cube may lead to easy dismantling and loose handling.

These are the lists of methods that I know: (These may help you)

Jennifer Fridrich (no algorithms)

Keyhole Method

Tip: Make your own solution, cutting the algorithms and moves. 

 

Rubik’s Cube: Fast Explanation

These are the videos referring to the mechanism of the cube:

(It is fast, but you could refer to my past posts for a detailed explanation)

Video List: (Just Toggle and play through)

Enjoy Cubing!

 

Rubik’s Cube: The Final Layer

The first thing to consider in solving the final layer is to make a CROSS.

There are three stages or cases before we arrive to the cross-pattern(last stage). If you have already set to a stage (even if it’s 2nd), just proceed with the algorithm until you arrive at the CROSS.

(Note: Always face the right side considering that the top layer is on TOP of the cube)

The Algorithm: 

F R U R’ U’ F’

Stage 1: The Dot

(The occurence of the top left white corner is accidental, disregard this, you must proceed to the Cross first.)

Stage 2: The J or Inverted L 

Stage 3: The Horizontal Line

 

 

Stage 4: The Cross

 After arriving at the cross, try to look at the sides of the cross.

In this algorithm, It will correct the cross’ color scheme combination with respect to the colors of the sides.

 (Note: The right edges must be AWAY from you)

R U R’ U R U U R’

After securing the edges, let’s go to th corners.

Make sure the corners are on their right SPOT (they are in the right place but in the wrong color orientation): 

In the figure, you could see that the corner blue-orange-white is on the right place but the wrong orientation. If only one of these exists It must be remained towards you.  

The Algorithm (Fixing the Corner’s Places) 

U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L

If ALL the corners are in the right place but in different orientation, our last algorithm takes place.

(Note: The fixed block must be away from you, and the unfixed block must be towards you, on the right-hand side)

The Algorithm (Fixing the Corner’s Orientation) 

R’ D’ R D

(Repeat this until you fix the cubes one by one, after a block turn U’ to fix another block until you arrive to this:

Enjoy Cubing!