SEXY MOVE Instructions

In this tutorial you will learn how to solve a 3x3 cube. Before you continue, make sure you read over the Turn Notations, and it is strongly recommended you know how to solve the 2x2, because it gives you familiarity of the cube and some of the algorithms for 3x3 are derived from the ones on 2x2.

There are 3 types of pieces in the 3x3:

Centers have one color and they cannot be moved in relation to each other.

Edges have two colors and there are 12 of them.

Corners have three colors and there are 8 of them.

The steps of solving the 3x3 are:

1. Make a white cross

2. Solve 3 edges in the middle layer

3. Solve 3 corners in the first layer

4. Solve 3 edges in the last layer

5. Solve the 2 final edge pieces

6. Solve 3 more corners in the last layer

7. Solve 2 final corners

Step 1

The first step is to make a white cross. Make sure you put the pieces in the right spot so that the side stickers match up.

This step is challenging at first, but as you do more solves it will gradually become easier.

Step 2

This step is to solve 3 edges in the middle layer. Putting the white cross on the BOTTOM, we are going to solve the 3 edges in the middle layer.

Case A: R U' R'

Case B: F R' F' R

If there are no middle layer edges in the top layer, then use either of these algorithms to take a middle layer edge out to the top layer.

Step 3

This step is to solve the three corners in the bottom layer.

1. Orient your cube so that the unsolved middle layer edge is in the FR spot.

2. Find a corner with a WHITE sticker, and turn the U face to bring it above the unsolved edge.

3. Now turn the D- layer so that the corner piece is directly above the place where it belongs.

4a. If the white sticker of the corner is in the R-face then repeat the Sexy Move (R U R' U') until the corner is solved.

4b. If the white sticker of the corner is in the F-face then repeat the Inverse of the Sexy Move (U R U' R') until the corner is solved.

4c. If the white sticker of the corner is in the U-face then you may use either algorithms.

5. Repeat steps 2-4 with 2 more corners.

Step 4

In this step we are going to solve a cross in the U-layer.

Remember:

Unlike the cross we did in the very beginning, in this stage the side stickers DO NOT have to be solved. This means do not have to worry which piece to get on the top, just focus on getting a cross.

1. Examine the edge at FR.

2a. If the yellow sticker of that piece is in the F-face, make sure that the UR edge is unsolved, then do an R turn.

Then, turn the U layer so that the UR edge is an unsolved edge and undo the R turn.

2b. If the yellow sticker of that piece is in the R-face, make sure that the FU edge is unsolved, then do a F' turn.

Then, turn the U layer so that the FU edge is an unsolved edge and undo the F' turn.

2c. If the piece does not contain a yellow sticker then do the Sexy Move (R U R' U'). Now you should have case 3a or 3b.

4. Repeat these steps to form the cross in the U-layer. After you have done this, you will notice that the FR-edge is automatically solved.

Step 5

In this step we are going to swap the edges around to solve them.

Case 1: You need to swap adjacent edges.

Rotate the cube so that the 2 edges that need to be swapped are in the L and F faces, then execute this algorithm: R U R' U R U2 R'

Case 2: You need to swap opposite edges.

Don't worry about how the cube is oriented, and just do the algorithm above. You will now have case 1.

These algorithms are VERY fast.

Step 6

In this step we are going to solve 3 more corners in the U layer.

1. Flip the cube over so that 4 of the remaining corners are in the D-layer and the other remaining corner is in the FR position of the U-layer. The corner in the U layer will be used as a 'buffer'.

2. If the corner in the buffer does not belong in the D-layer apply the alg R U R' U' (the sexy move) once to place a D-layer corner into the buffer.

3. Twist the D-layer until the corner in the buffer position is directly above its correct position in the D-layer.

4. Repeat the sexy move (R U R' U') until the corner in the buffer position is placed correctly in the D-layer. (Note: your cube is probably half-scrambled in this stage. Don't worry, it's supposed to be)

5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 until only 1 unsolved corner remains in the D-layer.

6. Position the final unsolved D-layer corner under the buffer piece.

7. Repeat the sexy move (R U R' U') until either the whole cube is solved or only 2 unsolved corners remain.

Step 7

In this step we are going to finish of the cube by solving the final two corners.

1. Orient the cube so that the two unsolved corner pieces are on the Front face of the D-layer.

2. Repeat the sexy move (R U R' U') until the corner is solved.

3. Turn the D layer to position the second corner in the Front-Right-Bottom position.

4. Repeat step 2.

5. Align the D layer to complete the solve.

Congratulations! you have now solved the 3x3 cube! All you have to do now is to memorize those algorithms.

Let's go over them:

Edge insertion Case A: R U' R'

Edge insertion Case B: F R' F' R

Corner insertion: Repeat the sexy move (R U R' U') or the inverse of the sexy move (U R U' R')

Swapping the edges to solve them:

R U R' U R U2 R'

Last five corners: Use the sexy move (R U R' U')

Practice is the way to perfection. Try to get your time down to 70~80 seconds, then you can learn the novice method.