2-Look CFOP

In the beginner method, you solved the white cross on top, then flipped the cube. In CFOP, you solve the cross on the bottom — with white facing down. This saves the flip and lets you see the pieces for the next step (F2L) while you finish the cross.

Solving cross on the bottom feels awkward at first because you're working upside-down. But it's essential for speed — the rotation you save is 0.5-1 second per solve.

The cross should be planned during the 15-second inspection time. At first, just try to find all 4 white edge pieces and mentally plan their insertion. Don't worry about doing it in 8 moves yet — just get the cross done on the bottom.

With practice, the cross can be done in 3-5 seconds. The key is efficiency: solve pieces relative to each other rather than one at a time.

F2L (First Two Layers) is the biggest change from the beginner method. Instead of solving corners and edges separately, you pair a corner with its matching edge and insert them together. This saves about 20 moves per solve.

F2L is intuitive — you don't memorize algorithms. Instead, you learn to recognize situations:

1. Find a corner piece in the top layer 2. Find the matching edge piece (same two colors) 3. Pair them in the top (U) layer 4. Insert the pair into the correct slot

The basic insertion: if the pair is ready above the right slot, do R U R'. If above the left slot, do L' U' L. The challenge is getting the pair ready — that's what takes practice.

There are 41 possible F2L cases, but you don't need to learn algorithms for most. With intuitive F2L, you understand how pieces move and can solve any case. Start by practicing the basic cases (corner and edge both in top layer) and build from there.

F2L will make you slower at first — that's normal. You're replacing a simple algorithm with a more complex intuitive process. But once it clicks, you'll be much faster than before.

OLL (Orientation of the Last Layer) makes the entire top face yellow. In 2-Look OLL, you do this in two steps:

Step 1 — Orient Edges (3 algorithms): First, make a yellow cross on top. The three cases are: • Dot (no edges oriented): F R U R' U' F' then f R U R' U' f' • L-shape (2 adjacent edges): f R U R' U' f' • Line (2 opposite edges): F R U R' U' F'

Step 2 — Orient Corners (7 algorithms): Once the cross is done, orient the corners. The 7 cases are Sune, Anti-Sune, Pi, H, T, L, and U. Each has a specific algorithm.

Total: 10 algorithms. These are the same ones used in the beginner method for some cases, so you may already know a few. Learn them in batches of 2-3, not all at once.

PLL (Permutation of the Last Layer) moves the pieces to their correct positions after OLL. In 2-Look PLL, you do this in two steps:

Step 1 — Permute Corners (2 algorithms): Check if any corners are already in the correct position. If yes, hold them in the back and do the A-perm to cycle the other three. If none are correct, do the algorithm once from any angle, then check again. • Aa Perm: x R' U R' D2 R U' R' D2 R2 (cycles corners clockwise) • Ab Perm: x R2 D2 R U R' D2 R U' R (cycles corners counter-clockwise)

Step 2 — Permute Edges (4 algorithms): After corners are positioned, cycle the edges: • Ua Perm: R U' R U R U R U' R' U' R2 (3 edges CCW) • Ub Perm: R2 U R U R' U' R' U' R' U R' (3 edges CW) • Z Perm: M2 U M2 U M' U2 M2 U2 M' U2 (2 pairs swap) • H Perm: M2 U M2 U2 M2 U M2 (all 4 swap)

Total: 6 algorithms. Learn the U-perms first (they're the most common), then Z and H.

Don't try to switch from beginner method to CFOP all at once. Transition gradually:

1. Learn F2L first. Keep using your beginner OLL and PLL while you practice F2L. Your times will temporarily get worse — that's expected.

2. Once F2L feels comfortable (after a few weeks), learn 2-Look OLL. Replace your beginner yellow-cross and corner-orientation steps with the 10 OLL algorithms.

3. Then learn 2-Look PLL. Replace your beginner corner and edge permutation with the 6 PLL algorithms.

4. Start solving cross on the bottom as early as possible — ideally before F2L, but it can be done simultaneously.

This gradual approach prevents overwhelm and lets you focus on one new skill at a time. Each transition takes 1-2 weeks of practice.

WCA competitions give you 15 seconds to inspect the cube before starting the timer. Use this time wisely.

As a beginner: Just find the 4 white edge pieces and plan the cross. Don't try to plan F2L yet.

As you improve: Plan the entire cross — which moves you'll make and in what order. Aim to know your first 3-4 moves before you start.

Advanced: Plan the cross AND identify your first F2L pair. This is called "cross to F2L transition" and it's the key to sub-20.

Practice: Set a 15-second timer, inspect, then execute your plan. If you can't plan the cross in 15 seconds, slow down and just plan 2 pieces, then 3, then all 4.