You can consistently solve a 3×3 with the beginner method.
Hold the cube with the white cross facing down and the empty slot for the pair at the front right.
1. Change one part of your method
F2L stands for first two layers. Instead of solving all the white corners and then all the middle-layer edges, solve each corner together with its neighbouring edge. Keep using the beginner method for the cross and last layer while you learn this technique.
Each pair belongs in a slot between two side centres. For the front-right slot, choose the white corner with the front and right colours and the edge with those same two side colours.
2. Recognise a pair that’s ready to insert
In the first case, the corner and edge are already paired in the top layer. Their adjacent side stickers form a bar of the same colour, and the pieces are oriented for insertion into the slot.
Use the example’s starting net to find the white-blue-red corner and the blue-red edge. Check both colours on the edge and all three on the corner. A single matching colour is insufficient to tell whether two neighbouring pieces form a usable pair.
3. Insert the prepared front-right pair
R U R'
R opens the slot, U brings the pair over it and R′ closes the slot with both pieces in place. This restores the white cross and completes the corner–edge slot.
This three-move sequence inserts the specific pair shown once it is already connected. If the pieces are separate, use your beginner corner and edge insertions for now, then return to this prepared case for practice.
4. Add cases gradually
Practise spotting pairs that are ready to insert during your usual solves. Learn how setup turns line a pair up above its slot before looking for shorter algorithms. When you’re comfortable with this case, use the CubeSkills intuitive F2L lessons for more examples of how to form pairs.
This lesson introduces F2L. You can learn it while keeping the rest of your beginner method.
Watch, then try
Work through an example
Start by stepping through one move at a time. This prepared example shows a specific action. Use the lesson’s setup instructions to recognise when to use it on your own scramble.
Watch one worked example
The white-blue-red corner and blue-red edge are already connected. Watch R U R′ insert both into the front-right slot.
Example grip: Start with yellow on top, blue at the front and red on the right. Follow any written instructions for rotating the whole cube.
0 / 3
Loading 3D cube…
Prepared position · 0 / 3 moves
Use Next move to follow the sequence.
Drag to inspect other faces. Use the arrow keys to rotate the view when the cube has keyboard focus.
Copy this exact example on your own cube
Start with a solved 3×3, with yellow on top and blue at the front. Apply the setup moves below from left to right to create the example’s starting position. Keep this example separate from the scramble you are solving throughout the course.
R U' R'Then follow the lesson sequence. If your cube has a different colour scheme, use the relationships between your own colours to identify the equivalent pieces.
Compare the starting position and the result
Drag each cube to inspect its other faces.
Explain it to yourself
Check your understanding
Now use your own cube
Your turn
Recreate the example on a solved cube using the setup moves. Follow the connected pair and insert it. Then compare solving the slot with a pair to inserting the corner and edge separately.
Open a 3×3 Digital Cube for practiceOpens in a new tab so you can keep this lesson open while you practise. Check for yourself whether you’ve met the lesson goal. The Digital Cube doesn’t assess your result.
If you get stuck
R U R′ does not work for the pair I picked.
The pieces must already be joined in the same way as in the example. For other cases, use the beginner insertions or study the setup before trying the sequence again.
Before moving on
Check your result
Your cube at this stage
A corner and edge solved together
The front-right corner–edge slot is solved and the white cross is intact. Another middle-layer slot is still unsolved in this example.
Confirm these on your cube. Watching the animation alone does not complete the lesson.
Tick each item once you can do it yourself.