For several decades, Rubik’s Cube has captivated and engrossed its users. Initially, universities were satisfied with the simple invention, but now millions of fans around the globe are ready to take on this daunting puzzle. In India, Rubik’s cube has gained a tremendous following complete with tournaments and clubs aimed at actuating its mastery. If you are somewhere on the beginning lines of cubing or you are aiding your kid as a parent to take their first steps, then this is the very beginner’s guide you need. Let us now see how it is possible to solve a Rubik’s cube without fear. We shall be going through some Rubik’s cube tricks, and some tips for solving Rubik’s cube.
The Elements Of Fixing The Rubik’s Cube
After all, we’re about to solve the Rubik’s Cube and it is important to clear out the puzzle. Standard 3×3 Rubik’s Cube contains six surfaces with nine small squares each. It’s basically aimed to bring all the squares of the same colour on each of the faces.
If you are thinking of getting a Rubik’s cube for kids, 3×3 is the very cube which is ideally recommended. It is simple enough and because of damn fewer puzzles, it is very suitable for children and novices.
Key Terms You Should Know
Wondering how to solve Rubik’s cube? It is important to get to know the following fundamental terms first:
- Face: Any of the six surfaces of the cube.
- Edge Piece: The pieces that are found between the two corner pieces and shared between any two faces.
- Corner Piece: The pieces at the corner of the Cube which is shared by three faces.
- Center Piece: That central piece on each face of the cube which is used to define the colour of that particular face.
Acquaintance with their meanings is helpful when you come across any guides to solving the Rubik’s Cube or Rubik’s Cube tricks.
Step-By-Step Beginner’s Guide to Rubik’s Cube
Since you are familiar with the cube’s composition, then we try to get to the fun part — solving the cube! This method is easy, straight forward and is ideal for any millennial:
Step 1: Solve the White Cross
Start with solving the white cross. Since the white pieces are often the most accessible to the user, they should work on the correct placement of the white edge pieces.
Grab the pieces which have the white colour and begin placing them on the white face to form a white cross.
In this case, make sure that the edge pieces so placed are in harmony with the centerpieces of the side faces too.
This step lays the groundwork for the remaining part of your solving journey.
Step 2: Solving the White Corners
Once the white cross formation is accomplished, attention should be turned on placing the white corner pieces in their proper order. Bring out the corner pieces with white in them and rotate them such that the white square is directed upwards. Without upsetting the white cross, Apply placement techniques (algorithms) so as to correctly orientate the corner pieces. This step might appear so complicated to most Rubik’s Cube beginners at this stage but with time and practice, this will become second nature.Step 3:
Solving the Middle Layer EdgesOnce you have the white face solved, you are required to solve the middle layer. This stage consists of carrying out the edge pieces of the 1st layer to its proper place in the 2nd layer. Locate a yellow edge piece on the top layer. You can apply a very simple algorithm to help you position those pieces properly into the middle layer. They further serve as part of the construction of the cube and orientation for the upcoming steps.
Step 4: Solving the Yellow Face
With two layers already completed by you, you now have the next task to solve the yellow face. At this stage, it is not necessary to achieve a perfect arrangement of the yellow squares. The aim here is to create a yellow cross on the top layer – a step leading to the final position of the cubes.
Observe the positions of edge pieces with only a yellow color, pieces put in an ‘L’ shape or pieces forming a straight yellow line. Choose an algorithm to obtain the yellow cross as quickly as possible. With time, you indeed will learn this!
Step 5: Crossing over the Yellow Side Structural
Once you’ve done the yellow cross, the very last step consists in the correct positioning of – the positional yellow corner pieces. This may take some time and maybe even a few algorithms but have no fear. It may take some time and practice, but you will find these moves less challenging to remember and perform.
Let’s start with inserting the yellow corners where they should go (even without getting the orientation right).
Later, this phase will consist of turning the moved spheres to their correct positions and orienting them appropriately to complete the final layer.
Step 6: Reconstructing the Upper Section of the Cube
At this stage, only the edge pieces on the top side of the cube have not been solved. This is what is supposed to happen here, all the edge pieces have to be rotated to the desired position but none of the other pieces has to be moved. Attend the final algorithms you have and with good practice it’s over no time, you will know how to solve a cube.
Congratulations! You have managed to finish your first Rubik’s Cube puzzle.
Tips for Improving Your Rubik’s Cube Solving Time
- Learn the Basic Algorithms: Learn a few of the algorithms and the process becomes easier. Once learned, it becomes a practice of obedience rather than problem-solving.
- Practice Makes Perfect: So cutting down the time taken to solve the cube improves with practice. Make it a point to subscribe to time every day to hone your Cubing skills.
- First Walk, then Slowly Run: Speedcubing may be enjoyable but it is precision that is needed before speeds. Speedcubing can be enjoyable but before that speed has to be mastered first.
- Consult online video lessons: Many of the steps are demonstrated in the videos that can be found for free on the web. This is particularly useful when you are in a fix.
- See it Done: Working on the Rubik’s Cube with friends and family can be more fun and helps you to be more motivated towards mastering the skill.
Rubik’s Cube Tricks to Stun Your Family
After you become familiar with the basics of the game, you may rather want to show off some of the Rubik’s Cube tricks to your family and friends. Some of them can try and solve cubes only using one hand, try extreme memory work where they close their eyes to solve the cube, among many others, new poems that make it possible to complete the puzzle faster than anyone.
For us speedcubers, there are plenty of venues all over India where you have the opportunity to participate in speedcubing competitions. How about this – solving a Rubik’s Cube in less than 10 seconds!
Conclusion
It may not be as easy to learn how to solve Rubik’s Cube, but once you get past the learning stage and start applying what you have learned, it is quite enjoyable. We hope these tips for solving Rubik’s cube served as a guide for Rubik’s Cube for beginners. It is all about solving it as a challenge for oneself or for kids who are starting to learn the Rubik‘s Cube, in either case, the satisfaction is incomparable. Stick to the guidelines, and do not forget to apply the tips which you come across for Rubik’s Cube solving and you will soon have everyone talking about you!
At EuroKids, we give attention to children’s imagination and want to instill reasoning skills from an early age. Read more about our specially curated curriculum here.
