Roux

Introduction

The Roux method, invented by Gilles Roux, is an alternative to the CFOP method. It begins by building two 1x2x3 blocks on opposite sides of the cube. This leaves the U and M slices free to turn. Next, the top layer corners are solved. The remaining six edges are oriented and positioned using U and M turns.

Roux is an efficient, intuitive method. It typically takes fewer turns than CFOP (community estimates put Roux at roughly 45 to 50 moves against 55 to 60 for CFOP) because almost all the moves are constructive rather than destructive. Once the blocks are built they are only broken once to solve the top corners. In contrast, CFOP solves the last layer by breaking up the F2L twice and putting it back together a different way, which increases the move count.

Roux also needs fewer algorithms than CFOP. Full CMLL is 42 cases, while a full CFOP last layer is 57 OLL cases plus 21 PLL cases, and the last six edges are solved with M and U turns and no algorithms to memorize. Roux also requires no cube rotations after the first step. And it’s fast: Roux solvers compete at the highest level; see the WCA rankings.

So why doesn’t everybody use Roux? Beginners may struggle with the block building involved in Roux, and the heavy reliance on M turns may be unappealing to some, but I think Roux is an elegant way to solve the cube.

If needed, go ahead and brush up on cube notation before we dive into the first block.