How Do You Learn To Solve a Cube?
YouTube is probably the best way to learn to solve a cube1. There are lots of different tutorials that you can watch, pause and rewatch to learn. Many competitors start with the 3x3 beginners’ method2. The beginners’ method is a set of moves you can learn that will solve any 3x33.
YouTuber JPerm has an easy-to-follow tutorial www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ron6MN45LY. Many parents have learned by watching this video too!
And once someone can solve one they can learn new ways of solving: different methods and new algorithms4.
Glossary:
1 Shorthand for any of the twisty-puzzles regardless of the shape.
2 This is the easiest way to solve a cube (but not the fastest) with 7 steps to get from a scrambled5 to a solved cube. Many parents learn this method.
3 Normally written as 3x3 but pronounced "3 by 3" is the original cube as designed by Ernő Rubik (the Rubik’s Cube). Each face has nine pieces with three along each edge.
4 A pattern of moves - competitors memorise different algorithms so that they can move the pieces at speed while competing.
5 Mixing up the cube. In competitions there are ‘official’ scrambles that must be used.
1 Shorthand for any of the twisty-puzzles regardless of the shape.
2 This is the easiest way to solve a cube (but not the fastest) with 7 steps to get from a scrambled5 to a solved cube. Many parents learn this method.
3 Normally written as 3x3 but pronounced "3 by 3" is the original cube as designed by Ernő Rubik (the Rubik’s Cube). Each face has nine pieces with three along each edge.
4 A pattern of moves - competitors memorise different algorithms so that they can move the pieces at speed while competing.
5 Mixing up the cube. In competitions there are ‘official’ scrambles that must be used.
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Kirsty Grainger, 2023-2024