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 and its neighbouring edge together. Keep using the beginner method for the cross and the last layer while you learn F2L.
Each pair belongs in one 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 colours.
2. Recognise a pair that’s ready to insert
In the first case, the corner and edge are already joined in the top layer. Their adjacent side stickers form a bar of the same colour, and the pieces are oriented correctly for insertion into their slot.
Use the net of the example’s starting position to find the white-blue-red corner and the blue-red edge. Check both colours on the edge and all three on the corner. One matching colour is insufficient to identify a useful pair of neighbouring pieces.
3. Insert the prepared front-right pair
R U R'
R opens the slot, U brings the pair above it, and R′ closes the slot with both pieces in place. This restores the white cross and solves the corner and edge together.
This three-move insertion works only for the specific pair shown, which is already joined. If the pieces are separated, use the beginner corner and edge insertions for now, then return to this prepared case to practise.
4. Add cases gradually
Practise spotting a pair that’s ready to insert during your usual solves. Learn how setup turns line it up above its slot before looking for shorter algorithms. Once 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 going through the moves one at a time. The prepared example shows a specific action. Use the lesson’s setup instructions to recognise when to apply it to 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.
Starting grip. Yellow up · blue at the front · 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 focus.
Copy this exact example on your own cube
Start with a solved 3×3 with yellow facing up and blue facing 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 as you work through the course.
R U' R'Then follow the lesson sequence. If your cube’s colour scheme differs, match the piece relationships using your own colours.
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 setup on a solved cube, follow the connected pair and insert it. Compare solving the slot with the pair to inserting its corner and edge separately.
Open a 3×3 Digital Cube for practiceOpens in a new tab so you can refer to this lesson while you practise. Check for yourself whether you’ve met the lesson goal. The Digital Cube does not grade your work.
If you get stuck
R U R′ does not solve the pair I picked.
The pieces must already be joined as shown in the example. For other cases, use the beginner insertions or study the setup instead of repeating this sequence.
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.