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// guide ── second block

Second Block

Build the matching 1×2×3 block on the right side of the cube.

  • The second block can be built using only U, M, R, r moves.
  • You should never rotate the cube when building the second block.
  • Place the DR edge first and then finish both pairs.

DR Edge

General blockbuilding works in theory but is too slow without inspection time. In most cases, the second block is solved by first placing the DR edge and then solving front and back pairs in any order.

1. DR edge insert

Solution R2 U M' U R2

The worst case for DR edge is if it is mis-oriented in its position.

  1. Bring the DR edge to the M slice.
  2. Use M move to orient DR edge correctly.
  3. Insert the DR edge correctly oriented to its slot.

3-Move Inserts

All pair cases end with one of these inserts.

1. Front pair insert

Solution R U R'

2. Wide move insert

Solution r U' R'

Wide r pairs the pieces and starts the insert in a single move.

3. Front pair insert

Solution R U' R'

4. Wide move insert

Solution r U R'

Free M slice allows for a more effective solution than F R' F' R.

Second Block Catalog

The catalog contains all possible cases for the front and back pair of the second block. You can use filters to focus on a smaller subset when studying. Here are few useful ways to use the catalog to learn the second block:

  • Shortest first. Change the Moves range to 0–3, learn what you find, then increase it to 4, then 5. Mark cases with Learning when you’re still not sure about the case and Finished if you know the case well.

  • All cases that finish the same way. Click the ↳ button next to any solution to filter to every case whose optimal solution ends with those moves. Useful for learning every pair case finished by a specific insert.

  • Specific piece at a position. Open Piece location, pick a cubie (BR, FR, DBR, DFR), and specify its position. The catalog will filter to all cases that start with the piece at the selected position. Useful for learning which cases have common solutions based on position of some piece.

Second Block Drill

The drill can be used after learning cases from catalog to reinforce them and practice the execution.

  • Use same filters as in catalog. Filters carry over from the catalog, and you can also set them directly in the drill.

  • Queue cases from catalog. Tap ✓ Queue on cards you want to drill, then select Queue only in the filter bar to drill exactly that subset. Useful for an ad-hoc batch that doesn’t match any filter.

Where to next

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