3x3 CFOP TUTORIAL
In CFOP, solving the first two layers entails pairing up each of the four corner-edge (CE) pairs and inserting them around the cross. This is best learned intuitively, but learning algorithms will increase efficiency later on.
Setup and Insert
There are two basic steps for solving a CE pair: setup the CE pair, and insert the CE pair. There are two main setups to keep in mind:
So what's the big deal with F2L? Several things.
The Big Deal, Part I
First, the process of setting up the CE pair varies depending on where the pieces happen to be. Ideally, the pieces are either in the top layer or already in the correct slot. There are 41 of these standard cases. Most of these cases are very short and intuitive, and many are mirrors of another case. Here are some examples:
The top colors are the same, so we make a block and insert it in the back.
Here we can make the block on the side and insert.
Here we position the pieces a knight's move apart, then insert.
This time it takes 8 moves to setup the knight's move before inserting.
The Big Deal, Part II
Second, sometimes an edge or corner (or both) will be in an incorrect slot. The basic way to deal with this situation is to bring the wayward piece to the top layer with something like (RU'R') or (LUL'). Keep an eye out for which slots are still empty and use those to your advantage.
The edge is in the wrong slot, so we bring it to the top layer, setup a knight's move, and insert.
The corner is in the wrong slot. We first move the top to prepare a block, then insert as usual.
The Big Deal, Part III
Third, slow down and look ahead. This is the golden rule of speedcubing. It is better to move fluidly without pausing, even if that means moving more slowly at first. Then you can gradually increase your speed.
Once you get comfortable with solving CE pairs, you will be able to execute each one automatically. This means that you do not need to look at the CE pair you are currently solving. Instead, you are free to look elsewhere on the cube for the next pair. Looking ahead is how you can reduce pauses between CE pairs and dramatically improve your solve time.
When convenient, insert pairs into the back slots; this gives you a better view of the other pieces around the cube.
Increasing your speed will feel uncomfortable at first, but your brain will adapt to tracking the CE pairs at a faster speed. Once you get to 4 turns per second, the cross and F2L can be done in 10-12 seconds.
Next comes OLL.
Back