Learn to solve a 2X2 Rubik's cube

The 2X2 Rubik’s cube has only corner pieces.

2x2 Stage 1: Get to know your Cube

Introduction to the 2X2

There are 8 corner pieces, each containing 3 of the 6 colors: White, Red, Blue, Yellow, Orange and Green.

Faces of cube

Each face is represented by a letter:

Clockwise Rotation and counter-clockwise rotations are represented below

Note: A letter with an “i” after means as inverse or counter-clockwise move when looking at the face of the cube.

2x2 Stage 2: Solving the first layer

While solving 3X3 Rubik’s cube, the center piece indicates what color go on each side. On the 2X2 Rubik’s cube, we don’t have center piece. So we are going to pick a corner to start with. Any corner piece can be chosen to start with. We will start with a corner with white, red and blue piece.

Holding your cube:

Hold your cube so the white/blue/ red corner is in the top layer, in left-front position.

Step 2: Solve the 2^nd corner

State 1: If the white/orange/blue corner is in position 1 like below. 

Follow the below algorithm 2 or 4 times until the white and blue tiles are lined up right.

State 2: If the white/blue/orange corner is in position 2 like below then.

Follow the below algorithm 1, 3 or 5 times until the white and blue tiles are lined up right.

Note: The colored tiles of the white/blue/orange corner may not be in the same order as these pictures – we are just looking for the location of the corner piece

If the corner is located anywhere else in the bottom layer, rotate the down face (D) until the piece is in State 2. Then use the solving sequence 1, 3 or 5 times until the white and blue tiles are lined up.

If the corner is in position 3, rotate the right face counter-clockwise (Ri) to move the piece into State 1. Then use the solving sequence 0, 2 or 4 times until the white and blue tiles are lined up.

If the corner is located in position 4, rotate the back face counter-clockwise (Bi) to move the piece to position 3, then rotate the right face counter-clockwise (Ri) to move the piece into State 1. Then use the solving sequence 0, 2 or 4 times until the colors are aligned.

Step 3: Solve the 3^rd corner

Now that the two corners are aligned, hold the cube so that the solved corner is on the left face.

State 1: If the white / orange / green corner is in position 1... then follow the below algorithm

State 2: If the white / orange / green corner is in position 2... then follow the below algorithm

Step 4: Solving the 4^th Corner

State 1: If the white/green/red corner is in position 1 then follow below algorithm.

State 2: If the white / green / red corner is in position 2... then follow the below algorithm.

Follow the note after above algorithm.

Here you solve with your first layer.

2X2 Stage 3 – Orient the final layer

Flip the cube upside down(The solved layer should be on the bottom now). The goal is to orient the last later pieces.

There are 7 possible cases of the last layer orientations.

Identify where the yellow tiles are on your cube. Hold your cube  to match the picture. Follow the sequential moves.

If the yellow tiles are not all on the top after 1 sequence, rematch and hold your cube like another picture and follow the sequence again. You may need to do this 2 or 3 times.

2X2 Stage 4 Solving the final layer

Step 1: Turn the face (U) until you can match two of the corners on the upper layer to the bottom layer.

Step 2: Identify the state of your cube then follow the correct sequence.

Adjacent corners: If the corners are adjacent to each other then the below formula will go correctly.

Diagonal Corners: apply the below algorithm for the diagonal corners.

And you are done solving your cube correctly.