How do I solve a Rubik's cube from any position using a beginner-friendly method?

Question

Explain a beginner-friendly method to solve a Rubik's cube from any scrambled state. I want to be able to memorize and use this method myself. Please include:
- Step-by-step instructions for each stage
- The algorithms/moves needed, explained in plain words (like "turn the right side clockwise") rather than just notation
- A brief explanation of *why* each step works, so I understand the logic behind it

Claude Opus 4.6 · Accepted Answer

# Beginner's Method to Solve a Rubik's Cube (Layer by Layer)

The most common beginner method solves the cube **one layer at a time**, from top to bottom. This guide will walk you through every stage.

---

## Orientation & Terminology

First, let's get on the same page about how to talk about the cube:

- **Face names:** Right (R), Left (L), Up (U), Down (D), Front (F), Back (B)
- **Clockwise** means clockwise *when you're looking directly at that face*
- **Center pieces** never move relative to each other — the white center is always opposite yellow, red opposite orange, blue opposite green (on standard cubes). Centers define what color each face *will* be when solved.
- **Edge pieces** have 2 colored stickers. There are 12 of them.
- **Corner pieces** have 3 colored stickers. There are 8 of them.

> **Key insight:** You never move a center. You bring everything else to match the centers.

Pick **white** as your starting face. Hold the cube with **white center on top** for the first two stages, then flip it so **white is on the bottom** for the rest.

---

## Stage 1: White Cross on Top

**Goal:** Form a "+" (cross) of white edges on the top face, with each edge's *side color* matching the center of the face it touches.

```
      [ ][ W ][ ]
      [ W ][ W ][ W ]
      [ ][ W ][ ]
        ↕
  Side colors must match
  the center of each side face
```

### How to do it

This stage is mostly intuitive. There are no algorithms to memorize — just look for white edge pieces and maneuver them to the top.

1. **Find a white edge piece** anywhere on the cube.
2. **If it's in the bottom layer:** Rotate the bottom until it's directly below where it needs to go, then turn that side face 180° (half turn) to bring it to the top.
3. **If it's in the middle layer:** Turn the side face it's on once to bring it to the bottom, then use the method above.
4. **If it's on top but the side color doesn't match:** Bring it back down (turn its side face twice) and re-approach.

### Why it works
You're just moving pieces around freely. Since nothing else is solved yet, you can't break anything. The only rule is: once you place an edge correctly, try not to disturb it when placing the next one. If you must disturb it, bring it back.

**Practice this stage until it feels natural.** Most people get it within a few solves.

---

## Stage 2: White Corners (Complete the First Layer)

**Goal:** Place the four white corner pieces so the entire top face is white, and the side colors of each corner match the side centers.

### How to do it

Hold the cube with the **white cross on top**.

1. **Find a white corner piece** in the bottom layer. (Rotate the bottom layer to hunt for them.)
2. **Rotate the bottom layer** until that corner is directly below the spot where it belongs. (Match its side colors to the side centers to know where it belongs.)
3. Now use one of these cases:

**Case A — White sticker faces right:**
- Turn the right side clockwise
- Turn the bottom clockwise
- Turn the right side counter-clockwise

**Case B — White sticker faces front:**
- Turn the front side counter-clockwise
- Turn the bottom counter-clockwise
- Turn the front side clockwise

**Case C — White sticker faces down:**
- Turn the right side clockwise
- Turn the bottom clockwise twice (180°)
- Turn the right side counter-clockwise
- Turn the bottom counter-clockwise
- Turn the right side clockwise
- Turn the bottom clockwise
- Turn the right side counter-clockwise

> Alternatively for Case C, just repeat Case A — the piece will cycle through positions. After doing Case A once, the piece goes back to the bottom layer in a new orientation. Repeat until it falls into place (usually 1–3 repetitions).

**If a white corner is stuck in the top layer in the wrong position or wrong orientation:**
- Hold it on your front-right, then do Case A once (Right clockwise → Bottom clockwise → Right counter-clockwise). This pops it to the bottom layer. Now solve it normally.

### Why it works
The "Right clockwise, Bottom, Right counter-clockwise" sequence temporarily lifts the corner slot out of the top layer, lets you slip a piece in from the bottom, and restores the slot. It's a 3-move *insertion*. Each repetition rotates the corner piece's orientation by 120°, which is why repeating it fixes any orientation.

---

**Now flip the cube over. White goes on the BOTTOM. Yellow is now on top. Keep white on the bottom for the rest of the solve.**

---

## Stage 3: Second (Middle) Layer Edges

**Goal:** Place the four edge pieces that belong in the middle layer, completing the first two layers.

The middle-layer edges are the ones with **no yellow** sticker (since yellow belongs on top). You'll find them either in the top layer or misplaced in the middle layer.

### How to do it

1. **Find a middle-layer edge** in the top layer (an edge with no yellow).
2. **Rotate the top layer** until that edge's **front color matches the center** it's facing.
3. Now look at the **top-facing sticker*

Grok 4.1 Fast · Answer

## Beginner Layer-by-Layer Method for 3x3 Rubik's Cube

This is the most popular beginner method, solving the cube layer by layer from bottom to top. It uses simple, repeatable steps and short algorithms (move sequences). Hold the cube with the **white center facing down** (bottom) and **yellow center facing up** (top) throughout—reorient the whole cube as needed to keep this.

Faces: **U**p (top), **D**own (bottom), **F**ront, **B**ack, **L**eft, **R**ight.  
Moves: Clockwise = 90° right turn (e.g., "right face clockwise"). Counterclockwise = 90° left turn (add "counterclockwise"). Twice = 180° ("twice").

**Why it works**: We build complete layers progressively. Solve edges/corners to match the bottom center color first, then middle, then top. Algorithms swap/rotate pieces without disturbing solved layers.

### Stage 1: White Cross (Bottom Edges)
**Goal**: Form a white cross on the bottom, with white edge centers matching adjacent side centers (e.g., white edge between white bottom and red center goes between them).

**Steps**:
1. Find white edge pieces (they have white + one other color).
2. Position each above its matching side center (e.g., white-red above red center).
3. Insert to bottom:
   - If on top: Turn **U** until aligned, then **F2** (front twice) to drop it down.
   - If in middle layer: Turn side layer to front, **F2** to pop up, align on **U**, **F2** back down.
   - If on bottom wrong spot: Turn **D** to position, **F2** to flip up/out, align, **F2** down.

**Why**: Aligns edges to their "home" slots, preserving side centers. No solved pieces yet, so trial-and-error is fine.

### Stage 2: White Corners (Complete First Layer)
**Goal**: Place 4 white corner pieces (white + two side colors) into bottom layer, oriented correctly (white on bottom).

**Steps**:
1. Find unsolved white corner on top layer.
2. Rotate **U** so it aligns with its target slot (matching side colors).
3. With corner above slot, right face front: **Right clockwise, front clockwise, right counterclockwise, front counterclockwise**. Repeat until white faces down.
4. If corner in bottom wrong spot: **R U R' U'** (right cw, up cw, right ccw, up ccw) to pop it out to top, then repeat insertion.

**Algorithm (in words)**: *Right clockwise, Front clockwise, Right counterclockwise, Front counterclockwise.* (Repeat 2-3x as needed.)

**Why**: This algorithm cycles the corner down without messing up the cross. It rotates the corner piece predictably.

### Stage 3: Middle Layer Edges
**Goal**: Place 4 non-white/yellow edges (two side colors) into middle layer, correct orientation.

**Steps**:
1. Find top edge without yellow (hold as front).
2. If it belongs left: **Up clockwise, Front clockwise, Up twice counterclockwise, Front counterclockwise, Up clockwise, Front clockwise.**
3. If it belongs right: **Up counterclockwise, Front counterclockwise, Up twice clockwise, Front clockwise, Up counterclockwise, Front counterclockwise.**
4. Stuck edges in middle? Use above to eject (treat as "belongs" opposite), then reinsert.

**Left algorithm**: *Up clockwise, Front clockwise, Up counterclockwise twice, Front counterclockwise, Up clockwise, Front clockwise.*  
**Right algorithm**: Mirror: *Up ccw, Front ccw, Up cw twice, Front cw, Up ccw, Front ccw.*

**Why**: These are "conjugate" moves: they temporarily break and restore the top layer while inserting the edge. Opposites handle left/right.

### Stage 4: Yellow Cross (Top Edges)
**Goal**: Form yellow cross on top (ignore corners).

**Steps** (pick matching algorithm):
- **Dot (no yellow edges)**: **Front clockwise, Right clockwise, Up clockwise, Right counterclockwise, Up counterclockwise, Up counterclockwise, Front counterclockwise, Right clockwise, Up clockwise, Right counterclockwise, Up counterclockwise, Up counterclockwise.**
- **L (one line)**: **Front clockwise, Up clockwise twice, Front twice, Up counterclockwise, Front clockwise twice, Up clockwise.**
- **Line**: **Front clockwise, Right clockwise, Front counterclockwise, Right counterclockwise twice, Front clockwise twice, Right counterclockwise.**
- **Cross already**: Skip.

Use trial: Apply dot alg first; it progresses dot → L → line → cross.

**Why**: These orient top edges by flipping them in place, using bottom layer as "anchor" to avoid disturbing lower layers.

### Stage 5: Orient Yellow Edges (Match Side Colors)
**Goal**: Align yellow edges to match side centers (yellow cross with correct colors).

**Steps**:
Hold unsolved edge front. **Front clockwise, Right clockwise, Up clockwise twice, Right counterclockwise, Front counterclockwise, Up clockwise twice.** Repeat until solved (2-4x).

**Algorithm**: *Front cw, Right cw, Up cw twice, Right ccw, Front ccw, Up cw twice.*

**Why**: Cycles three edges clockwise, twisting them to match. Repeating permutes until all align.

### Stage 6: Position Yellow Corners (T Perm)
**Goal**: Move yellow corners to correct positions (ignore orientation; top may be mixed).

**Steps** (hold

GPT-4.1 · Answer

Below is a **beginner-friendly “layer-by-layer” method** (often called the beginner method) that solves a 3×3 Rubik’s Cube from **any scramble**. It’s designed to be **memorizable** and based on repeating a few short move sequences (“algorithms”).

I’ll describe moves in **plain words** (e.g., “turn the right face clockwise”). I’ll also include standard notation in parentheses as a *backup*, but you can ignore it if you want.

---

## Before you start: language + setup

### Face names (when you hold the cube)
Hold the cube so the face you’re working on is in front of you.

- **Up** = top
- **Down** = bottom
- **Front** = facing you
- **Back** = away from you
- **Right** = right side
- **Left** = left side

### “Clockwise” means
Clockwise **as you look directly at that face**.

Example: “Turn the right face clockwise” means rotate the right side the way a clock’s hands would move if you were staring at the right face.

---

# Overview of the beginner method (7 stages)

1. Make a **cross** on the first layer (usually white)
2. Solve **first-layer corners**
3. Solve **middle-layer edges**
4. Make a **cross on the last layer** (yellow cross)
5. **Orient last-layer corners** (make the whole top face yellow)
6. **Permute last-layer corners** (put corners in correct spots)
7. **Permute last-layer edges** (finish the cube)

I’ll assume **white is your first layer** and **yellow is the last layer** (common convention). You *can* choose another color, but stick to one for learning.

---

# Step 1) Make the white cross (edges)

### Goal
On the **white face**, make a plus sign (4 white edge pieces), and also match the side colors with the center pieces (so it’s a “proper” cross).

### How (beginner approach)
1. Find an edge piece with **white + another color** (e.g., white-red).
2. Bring that edge to the **top layer** (the Up face) if it isn’t already.
3. Rotate the **top layer** until the non-white color matches its center (e.g., red side matches red center).
4. Insert it into the white face:
   - If white is on the **top**, turn the matching face **twice** (e.g., “turn the red face 180°”) to drop it into the bottom/white cross.
   - If white is on the **side**, you may need to move it around with simple turns until it can be dropped correctly.

Repeat for all 4 edges.

### Why this works
Edges can be moved around without “committing” to corner placement yet. You’re building a framework that makes later steps much easier.

---

# Step 2) Solve the white corners (finish first layer)

### Goal
Complete the entire **white layer** (white face solved + side colors lined up).

### Key idea
Work one corner at a time. Put the corner you want into the **top layer above its target spot**, then use a short repeatable sequence to insert it.

### The insertion move (Right-side version)
Hold cube so the corner’s target slot is at the **front-right** of the bottom layer.

Do this sequence:
1. **Turn the right face up**
2. **Turn the top face left**
3. **Turn the right face down**
4. **Turn the top face right**

(Notation: **R U' R' U**)

There’s also a left-side mirror if you prefer:
1. **Turn the left face up**
2. **Turn the top face right**
3. **Turn the left face down**
4. **Turn the top face left**

(Notation: **L' U L U'**)

### Step-by-step
1. Find a corner with **white + two side colors** (e.g., white-red-blue).
2. Bring it to the **top layer** (if it’s stuck in the bottom incorrectly, do the insertion move once to “kick it out”).
3. Rotate the top layer so the corner is **above the correct location** (between the two matching side centers).
4. If the corner’s white sticker is:
   - **On the side**: use the right-side insertion (or left-side mirror) once or twice.
   - **On top**: you’ll typically need to do the insertion sequence multiple times until white ends up on the bottom.

Repeat for all 4 corners.

### Why this works
That 4-move sequence is a **controlled “mini-cycle”**: it temporarily moves a few pieces but returns the already-solved cross and other solved parts back to normal after the sequence completes. You’re inserting one corner while largely preserving what’s solved.

---

# Step 3) Solve the middle layer edges

### Goal
Solve the 4 edge pieces in the middle layer (no yellow involved).

### What you look for
On the top layer, find an edge piece that has **no yellow** on it.

Align it so the front color matches the front center.

Then decide: does the edge need to go to the **right slot** or **left slot**?

---

## Algorithm A: Insert edge to the right
With the edge at the top-front, and it should go into the front-right middle slot:

1. Turn the **top face left**
2. Turn the **right face up**
3. Turn the **top face right**
4. Turn the **right face down**
5. Turn the **top face right**
6. Turn the **front face clockwise**
7. Turn the **top face left**
8. Turn the **front face counterclockwise**

(Notation: **U' R U R' U F U' F'**)

## Algorithm B: Insert edge to the left
Edge at top-front, should go into front-

Gemini 2.5 Pro · Answer

Of course! Here is a complete, beginner-friendly guide to solving a Rubik's Cube using the popular layer-by-layer method. This method is designed to be easy to learn and memorize because it uses only a few algorithms that you repeat at different stages.

### Before You Begin: The Basics

To understand the instructions, you need to know two things: the parts of the cube and the names of the moves.

#### 1. The Parts of the Cube
A Rubik's Cube is made of three types of pieces:
*   **Centers:** The 6 single-color pieces in the middle of each face. These pieces **do not move** relative to each other. The white center is always opposite the yellow, blue is always opposite green, and red is always opposite orange. They are your anchors.
*   **Edges:** The 12 pieces with two colors. They are between the centers.
*   **Corners:** The 8 pieces with three colors.

#### 2. The Moves (in Plain English)
We'll describe moves by which face you're turning and in what direction. Imagine you are looking directly at that face.

*   **Right Up:** Turn the right-side face clockwise.
*   **Right Down:** Turn the right-side face counter-clockwise.
*   **Left Up:** Turn the left-side face counter-clockwise.
*   **Left Down:** Turn the left-side face clockwise.
*   **Top Left:** Turn the top face clockwise.
*   **Top Right:** Turn the top face counter-clockwise.
*   **Front Clockwise:** Turn the front face clockwise.
*   **Front Counter-Clockwise:** Turn the front face counter-clockwise.

*(A "double turn" means turning a face 180 degrees, or twice in the same direction).*

---

### The 7 Steps to Solve the Cube

We will solve the cube from the bottom up, starting with the white face.

### Step 1: The White Cross

**Goal:** Create a white cross on the top face, ensuring that the edge pieces also match the colors of the side-center pieces.

**How to do it:**
This step is intuitive and doesn't require complex algorithms.
1.  Hold the cube with the **Yellow center on top**.
2.  Find the four edge pieces that have white on them.
3.  Move them up to the top layer so they surround the yellow center, creating a "daisy." Don't worry about the other colors yet.
4.  Now, look at one of the white edge pieces. Let's say it's the white-and-blue edge.
5.  Turn the top layer until the blue side of that edge piece matches the blue center piece.
6.  Once they match, do a **double turn** of that face (e.g., the Blue face) to send the white edge piece down to the bottom, where it will connect with the white center.
7.  Repeat for the other three white edges (red, green, orange).
8.  Flip the cube over. The white center should now be on top, and you should have a perfect white cross.

**Why it works:** By using the yellow face (the opposite of white) as a temporary workspace, you can easily position each edge piece above its correct center without disturbing the others before moving it into its final place.

---

### Step 2: Solve the First Layer Corners

**Goal:** Place the four white corner pieces to complete the white face and the entire first layer.

**How to do it:**
1.  Keep the completed white cross on the **bottom**. The yellow center should be on top.
2.  Find a corner piece in the top layer that has white on it. For example, the white-blue-red corner.
3.  Turn the top layer until that corner is positioned between its matching centers (in this case, between the blue and red centers).
4.  Now, hold the cube so that corner is at the front-right position of the top layer.
5.  Repeat the following simple 4-move sequence until the corner is correctly placed and oriented in the bottom layer. You may need to do it 1, 3, or 5 times.

**The Algorithm: "Righty-Algy"**
    *   **Right Up**
    *   **Top Left**
    *   **Right Down**
    *   **Top Right**

6.  Repeat this process for the other three white corners. If a white corner is stuck in the bottom layer but in the wrong spot, hold it on your right side and perform the "Righty-Algy" once to pop it into the top layer.

**Why it works:** This 4-move sequence is fantastic because it moves a corner from the top-right to the bottom-right slot while only temporarily disturbing the white cross. After four moves, the cross piece is back where it started, but the corner has been moved and twisted.

---

### Step 3: Solve the Second Layer

**Goal:** Place the four edge pieces that belong in the middle layer.

**How to do it:**
1.  Keep the white face on the bottom.
2.  Look for an edge piece in the top layer that does **not** have yellow on it (e.g., the red-blue edge).
3.  Turn the top layer to match the front-facing color of your edge piece with its corresponding center. For the red-blue edge, you would line up the red side with the red center.
4.  Check the top color of that edge piece. This determines where it needs to go.
    *   **If the edge needs to go to the RIGHT:**
        *   **Top Left**
        *   **Right Up**
        *   **Top Right**
        *   **Right Down**
        *   (Turn t

Claude Sonnet 4.5 · Answer

# Beginner-Friendly Rubik's Cube Solution Method

I'll teach you the **Layer-by-Layer method**, which is the most intuitive for beginners. We'll solve it in stages: white cross → white corners → middle layer → yellow cross → yellow edges → yellow corners position → yellow corners orientation.

## Setup & Terminology

- **Faces**: Front (F), Right (R), Left (L), Back (B), Up (U), Down (D)
- **Clockwise/Counterclockwise**: As if you're looking directly at that face
- We'll solve with **white on bottom, yellow on top** (you can adjust if your cube has different colors opposite each other)

---

## Stage 1: White Cross on Bottom

**Goal**: Create a white cross on the bottom face with edges matching the center colors of adjacent sides.

**Method**: This is intuitive—just move white edge pieces to the bottom.

**Key tips**:
- If a white edge is on the top layer, turn the top to align it with its correct center color, then rotate that side 180°
- If it's in the middle layer, move it to the top first
- Make sure the edge colors match the center pieces on the sides (not just white on bottom)

**Why this works**: We start with edges (not corners) because they're simpler—only 2 colors to worry about. Solving the bottom first gives us a foundation.

---

## Stage 2: White Corners

**Goal**: Complete the white face by placing all four white corners correctly.

**Method**: 
1. Find a white corner piece on the top layer
2. Position it directly above where it belongs
3. Use this algorithm repeatedly (2-4 times) until the corner is solved:

**Algorithm**: 
- Turn right side away from you
- Turn top layer right
- Turn right side toward you
- Turn top layer left

(In notation: R U R' U')

**Repeat** this 2-4 times until the corner piece pops into place correctly.

**Why this works**: This algorithm temporarily disrupts your white cross, moves the corner piece, then restores the cross. Repeating it cycles the corner through different positions and orientations until it's correct.

---

## Stage 3: Middle Layer Edges

**Goal**: Solve the four edge pieces in the middle layer (none of these have yellow or white on them).

**Method**: Work with edges currently on the top layer.

1. Find an edge piece on top with no yellow on it
2. Rotate the top layer so the edge matches its center color on a side face
3. Determine if the piece needs to go left or right

**Move edge to the RIGHT**:
- Turn top layer right
- Turn right side away from you
- Turn top layer left
- Turn right side toward you
- Turn top layer left
- Turn front side left
- Turn top layer right
- Turn front side right

**Move edge to the LEFT** (mirror of above):
- Turn top layer left
- Turn left side away from you
- Turn top layer right
- Turn left side toward you
- Turn top layer right
- Turn front side right
- Turn top layer left
- Turn front side left

**Why this works**: These algorithms move an edge from top to middle without disturbing the already-solved white layer. The first half moves the edge down, the second half restores the top layer.

---

## Stage 4: Yellow Cross on Top

**Goal**: Get a yellow cross on the top face (orientation doesn't matter yet).

**Pattern recognition**: You'll have one of three patterns:
- **Dot** (no yellow edges)
- **L shape** (2 yellow edges forming an L)
- **Line** (2 yellow edges forming a line)

**Algorithm** (same for all patterns):
- Turn front side toward you
- Turn right side away from you
- Turn top layer right
- Turn right side toward you
- Turn top layer left
- Turn front side away from you

**How to apply**:
- **Dot**: Do algorithm once, you'll get an L. Position the L in the back-left, do algorithm again to get a line. Position line horizontally, do algorithm once more to get cross.
- **L shape**: Position L in back-left corner, do algorithm once
- **Line**: Position line horizontally (left-right), do algorithm once

**Why this works**: This algorithm flips specific edges from non-yellow to yellow without disturbing the lower layers. By positioning the pattern correctly before applying it, we progressively get more yellow edges facing up.

---

## Stage 5: Yellow Cross Edge Positioning

**Goal**: Move the yellow edges so they match the side center colors (forming a "T" shape on each side).

**Method**:
1. Turn the top layer until at least 2 edges match their sides
2. You'll have either **2 adjacent** matches or **2 opposite** matches

**Algorithm**:
- Turn right side away from you
- Turn top layer right
- Turn right side toward you
- Turn top layer right
- Turn right side away from you
- Turn top layer twice (180°)
- Turn right side toward you
- Turn top layer right

**How to apply**:
- **2 opposite matches**: Do algorithm once from any position, you'll get 2 adjacent matches
- **2 adjacent matches**: Position so matches are at back and left, do algorithm once—all edges will match

**Why this works**: This swaps three edges in a cycle while keeping one fixed. By positioning correctly, we move incorrect edges into correct

Pattern	Looks like
Dot	No yellow edges face up
L-shape	Two adjacent yellow edges face up
Line	Two opposite yellow edges face up (a straight bar)
Cross	Already done!

Stage	Goal	Key Move(s)
1	White cross	Intuitive
2	White corners	R, D, R' insertion (3 moves)
3	Middle layer edges	8-move insert left/right
4	Yellow cross	F R U R' U' F' (6 moves)
5	Position yellow edges	R U R' U R U2 R' U (8 moves)
6	Position yellow corners	U' R U L' U' R' U L (8 moves)
7	Orient yellow corners	(R D R' D') repeated × 2 or 4

How do I solve a Rubik's cube from any position using a beginner-friendly method?

Beginner's Method to Solve a Rubik's Cube (Layer by Layer)

Orientation & Terminology

Stage 1: White Cross on Top

How to do it

Why it works

Stage 2: White Corners (Complete the First Layer)

How to do it

Why it works

Stage 3: Second (Middle) Layer Edges

How to do it

Why it works

Stage 4: Yellow Cross on Top

The Algorithm (one algorithm for all cases)

Why it works

Stage 5: Position the Yellow Edges Correctly

How to do it

Why it works

Stage 6: Position the Yellow Corners

How to do it

The Algorithm

Why it works

Stage 7: Orient (Twist) the Yellow Corners

How to do it

Why it works

Summary Cheat Sheet

Tips for Learning

Beginner Layer-by-Layer Method for 3x3 Rubik's Cube

Stage 1: White Cross (Bottom Edges)

Stage 2: White Corners (Complete First Layer)

Stage 3: Middle Layer Edges

Stage 4: Yellow Cross (Top Edges)

Stage 5: Orient Yellow Edges (Match Side Colors)

Stage 6: Position Yellow Corners (T Perm)

Stage 7: Orient Yellow Corners (Final Step)

Before you start: language + setup

Face names (when you hold the cube)

“Clockwise” means

Overview of the beginner method (7 stages)

Step 1) Make the white cross (edges)

Goal

How (beginner approach)

Why this works

Step 2) Solve the white corners (finish first layer)

Goal

Key idea

The insertion move (Right-side version)

Step-by-step

Why this works

Step 3) Solve the middle layer edges

Goal

What you look for

Algorithm A: Insert edge to the right

Algorithm B: Insert edge to the left

If no top edges qualify

Why this works

Step 4) Make a yellow cross on top

Goal

The “yellow cross” algorithm

What shape you have & how to hold it

Why this works

Step 5) Make the entire top face yellow (orient corners)

Goal

Corner-orientation algorithm

How to use it

Why this works

Step 6) Put the yellow corners in the correct places (permute corners)

Goal

What to check

Corner-swap algorithm

How to apply

Why this works

Step 7) Finish by solving the yellow edges (permute edges)

Goal

Check what you have

Edge-cycle algorithm (clockwise cycle)

Why this works

How to memorize this method (practical tips)

If you want, I can tailor this to you

Before You Begin: The Basics