Introduction
If you’re new to Rubik’s cubes, all the fancy terms like “OLL,” “PLL,” and “parity” can feel like a different language. Don’t worry—this guide will make it all clear. By the end, you’ll be talking like a cubing pro!
Basic Terms to Get You Started
1. Face & Layer:
- A face is one side of the cube, like the top or front. A layer includes all the pieces in one “slice” of the cube.
- For example, the “U-layer” is the top layer. (U stands for Up.)
2. Pieces (Corners, Edges, Centers):
- Corners: Pieces with three colors, like the ones at the cube’s edges.
- Edges: Pieces with two colors.
- Centers: Single-color pieces in the middle of each face.
3. Notations (R, L, U, D, F, B):
- These represent cube rotations.
- R is Right, L is Left, U is Up, and so on. A letter followed by an apostrophe means “counterclockwise.” For example, R’ = Right face, counterclockwise.
4. Algorithm:
- A sequence of moves to achieve a specific result, like solving a piece or positioning multiple pieces at once.
5. Cross:
- The first step in most beginner methods where you solve the edges of one face to form a cross shape.
6. Solved State:
- When all six faces of the cube have uniform colors, meaning the puzzle is complete.
Intermediate Terms for Aspiring Speedcubers
7. F2L (First Two Layers):
- Solving the first and second layers of the cube together, instead of separately.
8. OLL (Orientation of the Last Layer):
- This step orients the top layer so all pieces face the same way, even if they’re not in the right spots yet.
9. PLL (Permutation of the Last Layer):
- The final step is where you move the pieces of the top layer into their correct positions.
10. Parity Error:
- If you’ve ever tried solving a 4x4 or bigger, you might’ve faced this. It happens because larger cubes can’t always be solved like the 3x3, and you need a special algorithm to fix it.
11. Cube Rotation:
- Moving the entire cube in your hands instead of just a single face. It’s often written as x, y, z in advanced notation.
12. CFOP Method:
- Stands for Cross, F2L, OLL, PLL. It’s one of the most popular speedcubing methods.
13. Roux Method:
- An alternative solving method that focuses on block-building rather than layer-by-layer solving.
14. Scramble:
- A random sequence of moves to mix up the cube before solving it. Official competitions use specific algorithms for fair scrambles.
15. Finger Tricks:
- Efficient and fast ways to turn the cube using your fingers, are crucial for speedcubing.
16. Lookahead:
- The ability to anticipate your next move while executing your current one, improving solving speed.
17. DNF (Did Not Finish):
- Used in competitions when a solve is incomplete or disqualified due to errors.
18. TPS (Turns Per Second):
- A measure of how quickly you turn the cube during a solve. High TPS is key to achieving faster times.
Conclusion
Don’t stress if these terms feel overwhelming at first. Over time, as you practice, the more advanced terms will naturally start making sense.
So, next time you hear someone say, “I’m stuck on PLL and my TPS needs work,” you’ll know exactly what they mean!
