How To Solve A Rubik's Cube

We already know that the center pieces are fixed and they define the color of each face. This is why we have to solve the white edges according to the color of the center piecess as illustrated above.

Solving the white edges is intuitive and quite easy because at this stage there are no solved pieces that we can break. In most cases you can just simply rotate each piece where they are supposed to be.

Here are a few examples that require a few extra moves.

Press the Play button to animate the rotations.

This is another easy stage where you shouldn't memorize any algorithm just follow your instincts. If you have difficulties solving the white corners, here's an easy trick you can always apply, you just have to memorize a short algorithm and repeat it until the piece is solved:

R' D' R D

Bring the corner below the spot where it belongs (Front-Right-Down position highlighted with grey) and repeat the algorithm above until the white corner pops into its place oriented correctly. This algorithm sends the piece back and forth between the spots marked with dark, always changing the orientation.

Play the animation for an example where the sequence is repeated five times. Watch the affected white corner going to the top then back to the bottom in each step, changing its orientation.
The sixth would bring the cube back to its original position:

Wrong orientation

When there's no edge piece to insert into the middle layer you will have to execute the algorithm twice to pop the piece out in the first step.

For example, when the edge is on its place but turned incorrectly:

U R U' R' U' F' U F - U2 - U R U' R' U' F' U F

At this point you can have one of these patterns on the top of your cube. Use the algorithm below to jump to the next state until you reach the cross.

»»»

F R U R' U' F'

• Dot – we have to apply the formula three times when all top edges are oriented wrong and there are no yellow stickers around the yellow center. Make sure you reorient the cube in your hands after the first stage because the "L"-shape will be upside down.
• "L"-shape – You're two algorithms away from the target. Make sure the yellow edges are located on the left and back positions as illustrated.
  (There's a shortcut which jumps from the "L"-shape to the cross in one step, reducing the solution time: F U R U' R' F').
• Line – Perform the algorithm once, holding the line horizontally and you're done.
• Cross – The cross is complete, you can go to the next level!

R' D' R D

Start by holding the cube in your hand having a misaligned yellow corner in the highlighted Front-Right-Up spot (see image).
Repeat the R' D' R D algorithm until this piece comes to the correct position with the yellow sticker upwards.

Turning only the Up face, move another wrong yellow corner to the highlighted spot and repeat the R' D' R D algorithm until that yellow piece is oriented correctly.
Move other misaligned yellow corners to the marked spot one by one and do the formula until all corners are solved.

The puzzle might seem to be scrambled between the moves but don't worry because everything will come together when all yellow corners are oriented properly.

Watch the video or the animation below that demonstrates examples of how to use this move.

More examples on how to use the R' D' R D algorithm.