I was always fascinated by Rubik’s Cube. It’s the only toy that has similar benefits to playing chess. Every time I came across this toy, I couldn’t help but be amazed. However, I couldn’t match the colors even on one side until a friend of mine explained the notations and algorithms of the cube.
I have explained everything you need to know about the cube in this blog. I have pointed out the necessary details you need to know before solving it. So, without any further delay, here’s the introduction to Rubik’s Cube.
1. Layer
First, you need to know the layers. A Rubik’s cube is basically a 3×3×3 cube. It has 3 horizontal layers—top layer, middle layer, and bottom layer. It’s important to see the cube in layers, as you are going to solve the cube layer by layer.
In fact, there is a layer-by-layer method, also known as the beginner’s method, which is one of the first lessons of solving a Rubik’s cube.
2. Faces
As it’s a cube, this toy has 6 faces. Each side of this cube is called a face.
3. Body of Rubik’s Cube
The sides of a standard Rubik’s Cube are 5.6 centimeters each. On the whole, the puzzle is made of 26 tiny cubes. These are known as “cubies” or “cubelets”. Interestingly, each side is fixed together through an internal core.
4. Centre Pieces
There is a total of 6 center pieces or cubelets fixed with the internal core, which never move. Think of them like single tiles but fixed to the core. Each color on the cube—white, blue, orange, yellow, green, and red—has its own center piece. In a solved cube, white is opposite to yellow, red is opposite to orange, and green is opposite to blue.
But why are center pieces so important?
While solving the cube in layers, you will be trying to find the tiles that match the center piece. In short, center pieces are like a compass while you are in the adventure of solving a Rubik’s cube.
5. Edge Pieces
In a 3×3×3 cube, there are 12 edge pieces in total.
But what is an edge piece?
An edge piece on a Rubik’s cube is the tile where it has two visible tiles with two different colors.
6. Corner Pieces
Look at the cube carefully. You will find tiles that come in three colors. Those tiles are called corners pieces. As it’s a cube, there are eight corners. Therefore, there are 8 corner pieces in a Rubik’s cube.
7. Face Keys
Well, we already know what face is when we are talking about the cube. So, now, it’s our turn to learn how they are referred to.
In the world of Rubik’s cube, each face has a dedicated letter to make it easy for everyone to understand.
The up face is referred to as U.
The down face is referred to as D.
The left face is referred to as L.
The right face is referred to as R.
The front face is referred to as F.
The back face is referred to as B.
8. Moves or movements
I understand it’s a lot of information for beginners. So, I am listing down all the basic moves before explaining them to avoid any confusion.
U
U’
D
D’
L
L’
R
R’
F
F’
B
B’
Let’s begin this section by picturizing a few motions.
Try to imagine that you are closing a bottle by tightening the cap. Now, ask yourself: in which motion are your fingers working?
It’s clockwise.
While solving the up face of Rubik’s cube, the CLOCKWISE movement is referred to as U, and the ANTICLOCKWISE movement is referred to as Uꞌ.
If you are finding it hard to imagine anticlockwise movement on the cube, try to think in which direction you open a bottle. It’s anticlockwise!
Similarly, when you are trying to work on the down face:
CLOCKWISE movement is referred to as D.
ANTICLOCKWISE movement is referred to as Dꞌ.
Again, when you are moving the left face of the cube 90 degrees counter-clockwise, it’s called L move.
And when you are moving the left face of the cube 90 degrees clockwise, it’s called L’ move.
In the case of moving the right face of the cube 90 degrees clockwise, it’s an R move.
And moving it in 90 degrees counter-clockwise, it’s called R’ move.
Next, we have F move. When you rotate the front face of the cube in 90 degrees clockwise, it’s called F move, and when it’s 90 degrees counter-clockwise movement, it’s called F’ move.
Lastly, we have B and B’ moves.
If you are rotating the back face, the 90 degrees clockwise is B move and the 90 degrees counter-clockwise movement; it’s called B’ move.
9. Algorithms
Once you get familiar with the Rubik’s cube and the related terms, the next step is learning algorithms.
What is an algorithm in Rubik’s cube?
An algorithm is nothing but a series of moves, sequenced like a recipe to solve the cube. In short, algorithms are like formulae to solve the cube.
P.S. I understand it’s a challenging task to solve the cube. I suggest practicing regularly. But if you still think you are stuck in between following algorithms, please hire a professional cubemaster.