Features

  • Each guide is designed to contain every algorithm you need to solve the cube, but assumes that you know the basics of how to link them all together.
  • Each guide can be printed out on a single sheet of paper, so they are really easy to carry around.
  • Each guide is in full eye-popping color.
  • I made them with the goal of making the algorithms easy to memorize. To do this, I grouped similar algorithms together and have chosen related algorithms whenever possible (e.g. for the J permutation, I chose algorithms that were related for the first algorithm in the list, though a potentially faster one is still listed).
  • You don't need to read English to understand each guide because there are very few words and the words aren't really necessary anyway.


    In order to master the Rubik's cube you've got to memorize a lot of stuff. Currently, there are a ton of web and video tutorials out there on the web, but very few of them offer a printable version of their information. So I made it my mission to compile all the best information from various tutorials on easy to read PDF files so you can print them out, write on them, get them dirty, tear them to pieces in frustration, carry them around, and even laminate them (if you've never laminated something, I definitely suggest it... often an uncontrollable urge to laminate more things follows).

If you would like to provide some feedback please visit this forum thread on speedsolving.com.

Click here or on the image to download

3x3x3 Speedcubing Guide

Single Page Three Look Last Layer

  • Contains optimal algorithms for the full F2L, the 2 look OLL and all of the PLL algorithms
  • The F2L algorithms highlight where the corner and edge piece finally pair up with a bold letter
  • Contains the algorithms used by Dan Harris and Erik Akkersdijk
  • Contains a basic notation guide
  • Please Note - all algorithms are contained on a single line. Thus if there are two lines of algorithm then that means they are two different algorithms that do the same thing
  • Click Here if you want the rest of the OLLs for a 2 look last layer

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3x3x3 Speedcubing OLL

Single Page OLL Addition

  • Contains optimal algorithms for the full OLL so you can transition to a 2 look last layer
  • Contains the algorithms used by Dan Harris and Erik Akkersdijk
  • Common finger tricks are highlighted in color

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Click here for a version that prints out two guides per page

3x3x3 Beginner's Guide

A 9 algorithm beginner's guide

  • I really like this guide because it provides the tools necessary to solve the cube but doesn't tell you exactly how to use them and thus preserves the puzzle of the cube.
  • Contains a full notation guide and thus if you give a newbie a cube and this guide they should be able to figure out how to do solve it.
  • Please Note - all algorithms are contained on a single line. Thus if there are two lines of algorithms, that means they are two different algorithms that do the same thing.

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Andy Klise's 2-Sided PLL Recognition

This guide is awesome but is so complex that it is a puzzle in itself

  • This guide is meant to let you study the sticker patterns on each of the PLL cases
  • Distinguishing characteristics are highlighted, but you will have to study it hard to figure out the method behind the madness
  • I left the explations light because I think it is more rewarding to figure some of this stuff out on your own

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COLL Guide

Orienting and permuting the corners in one step

  • These algs will let you orient and permute in a single step
  • The sticker colors on the U face were placed so they highlight a distinguishing characteristic of the case

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3x3x3 Blindfolded (Coming Soon)

M2/3OP

  • Contains setup moves for M2 and algorithms for 3OP
  • Contains 4 complete example solves

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2x2x2 Speedcubing Guide

Contains the Ortega and Guimond Method

  • This contains the orient last layer algorithms for the Ortega and Guimond method along with the permute both layer algorithms which are common to both methods. It is intended that you use either the Ortega or Guimond method for each solve.
  • Distinguishing characteristics of the permute both layer (XLL) cases are highlighted in blue and thus should help speed up your recognition times
  • Contains the algorithms used by Erik Akkersdijk and Yu Nakajima
  • Contains a full notation guide
  • Please Note - all algorithms are contained on a single line. Thus if there are two lines of algorithms, that means they are two different algorithms that do the same thing
  • Smaller Version
  • Combined with CLL Guide

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2x2x2 CLL

2x2x2 CLL in Full Color

  • Distinguishing characteristics of the CLL cases are highlighted and each case should be easier to recognize
    • Let me know what you think of the recognition features on the second page. In general, I find it best to recognize the color pattern on the U face then look to one other pair of stickers that I have highlighted with a dark black line, but there are many different ways to recognize each case, so pick the one you like best.
  • Contains the algorithms used by Rowe Hessler, David Woner and others
  • Inspired by David Woner's website
  • Please Note - all algorithms are contained on a single line. Thus if there are two lines of algorithms, that means they are two different algorithms that do the same thing
  • Combined with normal 2x2x2 guide

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EG1

EG1 algs from David Woner and Anthony Brooks' Websites

  • Distinguishing characteristics of the EG cases are coded into the U layer colors
  • Contains the algorithms used by David Woner, Anthony Brooks, Justin Jaffray and Rowan Kinneavy
  • Algs taken from David Woner and Anthony Brooks' websites, dtwoner.110mb.com and speedcubing101.com. Both pages have a lot of cool stuff so you should check them out.
  • Please Note - all algorithms are contained on a single line. Thus if there are two lines of algorithms, that means they are two different algorithms that do the same thing

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badmephisto's 3x3x3 Speedcubing

All of badmephisto's algorithms

  • Contains the algorithms used by badmephisto from badmephisto.com
  • You can find this same guide at badmephisto's website, just click here then find the "Printable Page" link
  • For those of you who don't know, badmephisto is the king of video tutorials, you have to check them out here
  • Contains easy to remember algorithms for the full F2L, OLL and PLL
  • The F2L algorithms highlight where the corner and edge piece finally pair up with a bold letter
  • Contains a basic notation guide

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Phillip Espinoza's COL Guide

How to solve F2L on the side!

  • Phillip Espinoza solves the cross and F2L on the left and this is how he does it!
  • Make sure to check out Phillip's Youtube Channel, it has some sweet videos
  • David Woner started a COL tips and tricks thread on speedsolving.com here and added a bunch of F2L COL algs. I updated Phillip's guide to include those here.

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Weston's OH Last Layer

Some nice left handed OH algs

  • Weston Mizumoto is quite good at OH and has found some great RU optimized last layer algs
  • He's got a Youtube Channel with some really great tutorials on it
  • He also made two videos explaining his OH tricks, check the out here and here

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4x4x4 Guide

Contains 2 Pair Edge cases and all Parity Cases

  • The first page contains the essential algorithms for parity cases
  • The second page contains intuitive algorithms for each of the Last Two Centers and examples of optimal solves for each vertical 2 Pair case
  • The second page also has a walk through of 2-3-3-3-2 dedge pairing
  • Old Version
  • Please Note - all algorithms are contained on a single line. Thus if there are two lines of algorithms, that means they are two different algorithms that do the same thing

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Kirjava's K4 Guide

A fun alternate method for solving the 4x4x4

  • Kirjava (Thom Barlow) has a great website explaining K4 (Kirjava's 4x4x4 Method) here. This is a single page summary of it.
  • To get the full idea of the method make sure to read through his site first

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5x5x5 Guide

Contains all last two edges cases with and w/o parity

  • This is a basic guide that provides algorithms for each of the last two edges cases
  • This guide assumes that you know the 2 Pair method to make your edges as described in the 4x4x4 guide
  • Contains a full notation guide
  • Please Note - all algorithms are contained on a single line. Thus if there are two lines of algorithms, that means they are two different algorithms that do the same thing

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Megaminx Last Layer Guide

A beginner's as well as an advanced guide

  • A 10 algorithm beginner's guide and a 20 algorithm advanced guide to the megaminx last layer
  • My recommendation is to learn 3x3x3 full F2L and then figure out how to solve the first layers of the megaminx by yourself, you will be glad you did

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Square-1 Tutorial (Beta)

A beginner's and an advanced guide

  • A 14 algorithm beginner's guide and a 31 algorithm advanced guide to the Square-1
  • Contains full notation guide as well as a guide to help get the puzzle in a cube shape

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gqTimer

The Graphy qqTimer mod that logs and graphs your times
Check it out at http://gqtimer.kungfoomanchu.com

  • Features
    • Check it out at http://gqtimer.kungfoomanchu.com
    • You can use your Google or Yahoo accounts to login. Thus all login info is controlled by a third party (not us) and you won't have to worry about security
    • Saves not only your times, but your scrambles as well
    • The graph uses javascript, not annoying flash
    • You can specify if your solve was performed Blindfolded, One Handed, with Petrus, Roux etc.
    • You can change the interface of gqTimer to a new design
  • Limitations
    • This version only will only save your times for the WCA puzzles, though you can use the timer just like qqTimer for all the other puzzles
    • This is currently in beta form and thus some features may not work properly. We cannot yet guarantee zero data loss.
    • Does not save Avg100, only saves Best Time, Best Avg5, Best Avg12 and total session data (up to a reasonable amount of times, at this point in development we do not test above 20 times per session)
    • Linux and Mac support untested
  • Credit
    • Much credit obviously goes to Michael Gottlieb for creating qqTimer
    • Members of the kungfoomanchu.com team did much of the work for the 'cloud' part of this project

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Bonus Material

Random Extra Stuff

    QWERTY to Heise Keyboard Remapper (For Windows)
    • Click Here
    • You can probably guess how this program works, but basically you just type an alg as if you were solving the cube on Ryan Heise's cubesim and the proper notation comes out. It even turns something like R R into R2 and adds spaces between each turn. You may wonder how your survived without it.
    • Much credit goes to Lucas Garron since he made the first one for Mac and also the Autohotkey Forum because they helped me with a lot of the code
    Mental Date Calculation
    • Click Here
    • A tutorial that allows you to quickly calculate the day of the week based on a given date
    Easier Pi Memorization
    • Click Here
    • A printable copy of pi that has the numbers displayed in different ways to make memorization easier.
    How to Read Hanguel
    • Click Here
    • A brief guide pronunciation guide for all the vowels and consonants in Hanguel (the language spoken in South Korea and probably the most ingenious and beautiful language out there)
    My Publications
    • A scientific journal article with me as the second author
    • The PDF file - Click Here
    • The Official Pubmed page - Click Here
    • A link to my lab's website - GliaLab.com
    About Me
    • I am a fourth year medical student in Ohio



    See below for some really random guides

Click here or on the image to download

Petrus Method - Step 3

How to turn bad edges into good edges

  • This is just a quick guide with algs that turn "bad edges" into "good edges" for the Petrus method
  • For a full tutorial on the Petrus method, click here.

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All Color Neutral F2L Images

This guide is completely ridiculous

  • I wanted to see what all the F2L pairs looked like in every color combination and so I made this
  • It is completely ridiculous and not all that useful, but maybe, just maybe it will help you become a little color neutral like Faz.

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Buyer's Guide

My opinion on which cubes are best

In my opinion there are two types of cubes, good ones and bad ones. The bad ones are the officially branded Rubik's Cubes you get in the store because they are incredibly stiff and the good ones are the ones you get overseas because they are actually made with speedcubing in mind and use things like springs and intelligent construction. Once you get into the 'good cube' category then there is a lot of personal preference involved in picking the best cube for you. Here I will tell you my personal preferences for the 3x3x3 cube and the community's basic consensus on which brands are best for the 2x2x2, 4x4x4 and 5x5x5 cubes as well as lubricants and replacement stickers.

This page will be updated periodically, but will likely be the most outdated part of my site since this information changes often. If you find a link that is outdated, please use the search function at the bottom of the page to find the cube that you want.

    3x3x3 Cubes
    • I have three favorite cubes, the Dayan GuHong, the Haiyan Memory and the F-II, with the F-II being my least favorite of the three. If you want to start with just one cube, I would start with the GuHong and the Haiyan Memory ;). There will always be new cubes coming out, and some might be "better" than these two, but these two cubes are timeless and you can't go wrong with them.
    • You can get them all at The Cube Depot or search through the links to the speedsolving wiki above.
    • Perhaps the best place to get the Dayan Guhong is at Lubixcube.com because currently they are selling a fully lubed and tension adjusted Guhong for a very reasonable price. I love this cube and Rowe Hessler set his 3x3x3 6.94 second record with it, so you pretty much can't go wrong. These cubes are often hard to get, so check back to his site often to check his inventory.
    2x2x2 Cubes
    • LanLan is the 2x2x2 to get first.
    • You can get it at lightake.com or The Cube Depot and can find information about it here.
    4x4x4 Cubes
    • Now the Mini QJ cube is becoming popular and seems to be everyone's favorite, you can get it at lightake.com or The Cube Depot and can find more information about it here.
    • In the past, the most popular 4x4x4 was the Meffert's brand, which can be purchased directly from Mefferts.com. Here is a link to the Meffert's Black 4x4x4
    5x5x5 Cubes and beyond
    • The most popular 5x5x5 cube is the V-Cubes.com brand. They are pretty much the standard used by everyone (as of 2011), but I think there will eventually be something better. V-Cubes.com also makes 6x6x6 and 7x7x7 cubes.
    • Here is a link to the V-Cube store
    Silicone Lubricant
    • Silicone lubricant is one of the most important things and the best one to get in my opinion Lubix Cube Lube. It is pure silicone and lasts practically forever.
    • If you go with a silicone spray, you can get non-food grade silicone spray at Wal-Mart and a lot of people do that, but it will slowly eat away at some cubes (especially Type F cubes) because it is not plastic safe. The easiest place to get the food grade lubricant is at Amazon.com, although it is kind of expensive.
    • Other lubricants that are nice include CRC Food Grade Silicone Spray Lubricant or a 20 or 30 weight Silicone Shock Oil.
    Replacement Stickers
    • If your Rubik's cube stickers start to wear out or if you just want to be a badass, you can buy replacement stickers at Cubesmith.com. Their stickers are really nice, last a very long time and come in many different colors and varieties.
    Timers
    • There are two basic options for Rubik's cube timers, using your keyboard (for free) or buying and using the official Speed Stacks Stackmat Timer.
    • If you use the official timer you can link it up to your computer and use it with a great piece of software called CCT. If you prefer to just use your keyboard then you can still use CCT or you can also use a web-based timer.
    • qqtimer is the go to standard for web timers and I made a mod of it called gqtimer that allows you to save all of your times. You can check it out here.
    But you don't have to take my word for it
    • As of 2010, I think that this advice can't be beat, but you don't have to take my word for it, here are some other resources with cube recommendations: here is a link to the wiki page for cube types at Speedsolving.com but the information in this forum thread at Speedsolving.com is basically the tour-de-force of all cube recommendations. The Speedsolving.com wiki is a great resource for all things and also has a section about lubricants here, but they currently don't mention anything about the Food Grade lubricants, which are the ones that are truly plastic safe and thus take their information with caution.
    Cube Stuff Search
    • This is Stefan Pochmann's Custom Rubik's Cube Search (From CubeWeb.info)
    • Use this if one of the links above doesn't work or if you want to compare prices with various Rubik's Cube Stores
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    Disclamer
    • I don't benefit financially in any way from the contents of this site

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