Solving the 2x2 cube
Just like the 3x3, many different methods can be used to solve the 2x2. Some, like the LBL (layer by layer) method are easier to handle, while the more advanced and faster ones will take much longer, as they require the memorization of a large number of algorithms.
Apart from having one less layer in 2x2, the main difference between the 3x3 and 2x2 is that there are centres, edges and corners on a 3x3, while there are only corners on the 2x2. It is therefore generally believed that that 2x2 is easier to solve than the standard Rubik's cube. Well, the answer is yes and no. If you cannot solve the standard 3x3 cube, the 2x2 won't be any easier for you. However, if you do know how to work the magic on the 3x3, then congrats, you can probably figure out how to solve the 2x2 by yourself. If not, all you will need is a little bit of guidance on how you can apply the 3x3 method on the 2x2.
Here, I'll be teaching you two methods- layer by layer, and Ortega.
Apart from having one less layer in 2x2, the main difference between the 3x3 and 2x2 is that there are centres, edges and corners on a 3x3, while there are only corners on the 2x2. It is therefore generally believed that that 2x2 is easier to solve than the standard Rubik's cube. Well, the answer is yes and no. If you cannot solve the standard 3x3 cube, the 2x2 won't be any easier for you. However, if you do know how to work the magic on the 3x3, then congrats, you can probably figure out how to solve the 2x2 by yourself. If not, all you will need is a little bit of guidance on how you can apply the 3x3 method on the 2x2.
Here, I'll be teaching you two methods- layer by layer, and Ortega.
LBL method
For the layer by layer method, all you have to do is solve one layer first like you normally do on the 3x3, except that you don't place your piece according to the colour of the centerpieces. Now that you no longer have the edges and centres to worry about, all you have to do is match the colours on the side of the pieces with other pieces.
Ortega method
Ortega is similar to the CFOP method on the 3x3, except that the only the first face has to be solved instead of the whole layer in the first step. The other layer is then oriented, and finally the two layers will be permuted at the same time.
You can download and print out the algorithms here. There are a total of 12 algs, which are either the same as the OLL or PLL algs, or just variations of them. This makes them very easy to be memorized and executed on the 2x2.
With just a little bit of practise, you can easily sub-15 by using this method, which is faster than the LBL method in most cases.
You can download and print out the algorithms here. There are a total of 12 algs, which are either the same as the OLL or PLL algs, or just variations of them. This makes them very easy to be memorized and executed on the 2x2.
With just a little bit of practise, you can easily sub-15 by using this method, which is faster than the LBL method in most cases.