Journey
2-look CFOP (two looks)
The step between the beginner method and CFOP: the white cross, the first two layers by corner-edge pairs (F2L, 41 cases), then the last layer in four looks and only 16 algorithms: the yellow cross (3), the yellow face (7), the corners (2) and the edges (4). All of them are taken as they are from the full OLL and PLL: moving on to CFOP afterwards only means adding more.
The 6 steps
- Step 1Cross
Make a white cross on the bottom face, each edge lined up with the centre of its side. Hold the cube yellow on top, then for each white edge, turn the whole cube so that the centre of its other colour is in front, and apply the matching basic situation. An edge stuck in the middle with white in front, or misplaced at the bottom, first goes back up to the top (R U R' from the middle right, L' U' L from the middle left, F2 from the bottom): it then becomes a basic situation.
- Step 2F2L (first two layers)
Finish the first two layers by placing together, for each of the four slots, the white corner and the edge that goes above it. Keep the white cross at the bottom; for each pair, turn the whole cube so its slot is at the front right: its corner shows white and the colours of the front and right centres, its edge these two colours. Find where both pieces are and apply the matching case. A piece stuck in another slot is first taken out to the top by inserting any top piece in its place.
- Step 3Yellow cross
Make a yellow cross on the top face. Only the top matters: the side colours of the edges will be placed later. The first two layers stay intact.
- Step 4Yellow face
Make the whole top face yellow by orienting the four corners, without breaking the yellow cross or the first two layers. Seven cases, one algorithm each: they are OLL 21 to 27 of the full method, and you will keep them as they are. Look at where the yellow of each corner is, on top and on the sides, and find the matching case by turning U.
- Step 5Corner placement
Place the four top corners so their colours match the side centres. Look for headlights, a side whose two corners show the same colour: headlights on one side only means two neighbouring corners to swap (the T perm); no headlights, two diagonal corners (the Y perm). Headlights on all four sides: the corners are already placed, turn U to line them up and move on to the edges.
- Step 6Edge placement
Place the four top edges to finish the cube. The corners are already lined up with the centres: count the edges that are placed. One only, three edges cycle (Ua or Ub, depending on the direction); none, they swap in pairs, across (H) or with their neighbour (Z). These are the Ua, Ub, H and Z perms of the full method.