In the examples below, we will be solving the orange/blue edge group. These two ideas are the basis for almost all of the edge pairing in the examples below. See if you can break down a couple example groups into their setup, join, store, and restore sections for each piece or group of pieces.


edge pairing alg: A R U R' A'

In this alg, 'A' is any single (or multiple) horizontal slices between Up and Down layers. In the single edge example A would be the 2U slice. The idea is to pair the pieces up, remove them from the 'working' layer, then restore our centers. Notice in the setup, that our edge to be matched is placed across from our started edge, but flipped.

Also, you can match up multiple pieces as long as the centers are correctly restored. In the multiple edges position we are able to match up two edges instead of just one, using the correct setup moves before we shoot the group out. Here A would equal the d and u slices, and the alg to match all of them up would be: (d u) R U R' (d' u'). At first, it can be difficult to find what you're looking for but as you get further into the solve location becomes easier. Since you have already paired up groups you have reduced the possibilities for leftover pieces to look through. You can click on either picture to watch the alg performed.

single edge	multiple edges

If you're having problems resolving the last two or three groups, look at our additional edges page for some more advanced techniques, algorithms, and ideas that may come in handy as you get more familiar with the solving process.


Example continued

As shown above, we will now be pairing up groups of edges pieces in our example. There are 12 groups of edges, each consisting of four pieces. We will match them up piece by piece until we have completed an entire group, and then store that group on the Up or Down face of the cube. Sometimes everything will work out, but more often than not there is extra work at the end of matching things up to complete all the edge groups. The description will walk you through the first couple builds, but gives less detail as it goes along. Anything not shown is for the reader to figure out as an exercise. Since you know what color group is being fixed, it should be easy for you to follow what's going on. Also, notice how the green/yellow and blue/red group are intentionally paired up with the outside edges swapped.


Edges:

Blue/Black: F2 U F u2 d R' U R u2 d'
The F2 puts the blue/black piece in the bottom so we can do the U move to place another blue/black piece across from it. F puts both of these in the middle slice so all 4 pieces are set up in the middle layers. Notice how the rest of the alg is almost exactly the same forward as it is backwards. u2 d align the top and bottom blue/black piece with the pair of blue/blacks on the back face. R' U R pulls the fixed group out of the build layer and replaces it with an unfixed edge. u2 d' restores our centers back to the solve position, and now you should have a blue/black group in the back of the top face.

Orange/Black: R U2 R' u' 3D2 R U' R' u 3D2
Here R U2 R' grabs the black oranges in the Up layer and brings them opposite of the black/orange on the FL border. u' and 3D2 match up the 4 pieces, then R U' R shoots the group up into the top layer. Finally, u and 3D2 restore our centers.

Red/Black: F2 u' R U2 R'3D'L' U' L u 3D U'F D L' 3U' R U' R' 3U
This one is a bit more cumbersome. We're forced to do just 3 pieces, then reset and position to get our final piece in.

The rest of the edge groups are shown below:
Red/Yellow: R2 u L' U L u' F'L 3D' L'U L 3D B d L U' L' d'
Orange/Yellow: R U2 R' 3D' L' U' L F' L F L' 3D D R d' L' U L d
Green/Black: R U' R' d 3d2 L' U' L d' 3d2 F' R 3D' L' U L 3D
Blue/Yellow: x2 L U R U' R' d 3d R' U2 R d' 3d'
Green/Yellow: R 3d2 L' U' L F' L F L' 3d2 (swapped wings)
Blue/Red: y2 D2 R u 3D' F U' F' u' 3D (swapped wings)
Blue/Orange: L2 3D2 R U2 R' 3D2 L R2 3D2 U' L' U L 3D2
Orange/Green: R2 u' R U R' F R' F' R u
Fix 2 parity groups: U2 R' u' d R U R' F R' F' R u d'

Take special notice that we have stored the Green/Yellow group in BR and it still has the wings swapped.


Solution Step One: Solve Centers
Edges Step One: Solve Edge Groups
Edges Step Two: Special Edge Cases
Solution Step Three: Solve as a 3x3
Solution Home: Solve the V-CUBE