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2x2

If you want to learn the smallest WCA puzzle you've come to the right place. This is where you'll learn to get a sub-5 average.

 

This was invented by a man named Larry Nichols in 1970. So this came out before the 3x3. It was patented in 1972. He won a court ruling in 1986 that the Rubik's 2x2 infringed his copyright. The 2x2 has the fastest offical record of just over half a second.

 

Once you've learnt this you'll have removed another cube on your "to solve" list.

Methods + Algs
2x2 LBL
 
This isn't too hard to understand. The first layer is just the same as edges. Put them in the right place and then do the second layer. It'll be helpful to learn/know 2-look OLL and PLL before you mozey on along into 2x2 territory. Once you get the hang of it you should be able to get a 6 second average with good practise.
 
Let's take a look:
1. First Layer
The first layer is relatively simple and is intuative. Imagine that the cross is already there and just insert the pieces.
 
2. Orientation of the Last Layer (OLL)
You will only need to know the 7 algorithms that you learnt with 2 look.
  • Sune: (R U R') U2 (R U R')
  • Antisune (Regripless): (R U2 R' U') (R U' R')
  • Symmetrical Cross: R2 U2 R U2 R2
  • Unsymmetrical Cross: F (R U R' U')2 F'
  • Headlights: F (R U R' U') F'
  • Chameleon: (R U R' U') (R' F R F')
  • Bowtie: F (R U') (R' U' R U) (R' F')
 
3. Permutation of the Last Layer (PLL)
You will have to learn 2 new algorithms in this stage. The Y-perm (Opposite swap) and the (Parallel swap) T-perm.
  • Y-perm (Opposite swap): (F R U') (R' U' R U) (R' F') (R U R' U') (R' F R F')
  • T-perm (Parallel swap): (R U R' U') (R' F) (R2 U) (R' U' R U) (R' F)
 
Some things that my help:
This video from CrazyBadCuber is where you'll get a nice explanation of what to do. It may be a little long but it does go into detail and it also has annotations for quick access to different places. Unfortunately there is no PDF for this method.

Andy Klise's Ortega PDF

Ortega/Varasano Method
 
Ortega/Varasno is an intermediate method where you don't have to worry about where you put the edges as you will be doing it all in one PLL. You do 3 steps. Put the edges in, OLL and PLL. You will be slower when you start of but you will get faster and can get sub-5 averages. Knowing this will also help you with some more methods/add ons in the future.
 
Let's look at that:
1. First Face
The first face is just the same as first layer on LBL but this time you just have to make the bottom face all the same rather than the first layer.
 
2. OLL
OLL is also the same as in LBL. You will only need to know the 7 algorithms that you learnt with 2 look.
  • Sune: (R U R') U2 (R U R')
  • Antisune (Regripless): (R U2 R' U') (R U' R')
  • Symmetrical Cross: R2 U2 R U2 R2
  • Unsymmetrical Cross: F (R U R' U')2 F'
  • Headlights: F (R U R' U') F'
  • Chameleon: (R U R' U') (R' F R F')
  • Bowtie: F (R U') (R' U' R U) (R' F')
 
3. PBL (Permutation of Both Layer)
This is the part where you complete the cube. You will finish both of the layers at the same time. You will need to know 5 algs. The first 2 are the ones from LBL and then there are 2 new ones.
  • Double Diag: R2 F2 R2
  • Double Adjacent: R2 U' B2 U2 R2 U' R2
  • Diag + Adjacent: (R U' R) F2 (R' U R')
 
Things that may help:
You can check out Cyotheking's page on his site for this.
Also this PDF will help you with a printout to learn the algs.
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And last but not least the video. This is from CrazyBadCuber and goes in to depth through it all. You can skip to the PBL using the annotation if you already know everything leading up to PBL.
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