Rubik's Cube Second Layer

Case recognition

• Top-layer edge, right insert (direct)

  Right-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Right-insert the top-layer edge into the target slot

  Right-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Build: top-layer edge, right insert (direct)

  Right-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Right-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  The top-layer edge's side color is aligned with the center, and the center matching its top color is on its right — go with the right insert.

  The edge's side sticker matches the center directly below, and its top color matches the right-side center, as if pointing at the slot on the right.

  The edge is already U-aligned; do the right-insert formula directly.

  Do the right-insert formula U R U' R' U' F' U F. Principle: this sequence first temporarily lifts the solved bottom-layer corner sitting under the target slot out of the way, slides the edge into the slot, then puts the corner back — the edge is solved and not a single bottom-layer corner is lost. (This "lift corner → tuck edge → return corner" logic comes back in the advanced "first two layers" method.)

  Right insert formula

  Do the right-insert formula U R U' R' U' F' U F: temporarily lift the bottom-layer corner under the slot out of the way, slide the edge into the slot, then put the corner back.

• Top-layer edge, right insert (U adjust)

  U-align, then right-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Right-insert the top-layer edge into the target slot

  Right-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Build: top-layer edge, right insert (U adjust)

  U-align, then right-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Right-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  The top-layer edge's side color isn't aligned with the center yet; it needs a U turn first to align.

  The edge's side sticker is off from the center below; a U turn brings them in line.

  Turn U to bring the edge's side color to its matching center, then do the right insert.

  First turn U to align the edge's side color with the center, then do the right-insert formula U R U' R' U' F' U F. Principle: the right-insert formula assumes the edge is already directly above its target slot; inserting with the side misaligned would drop the edge into the wrong slot — so you must U-align first.

  U align

  Turn U to bring the edge's side color to its matching center, parking it directly above the target slot.

  Right insert formula

  Do the right-insert formula U R U' R' U' F' U F: temporarily lift the bottom-layer corner under the slot out of the way, slide the edge into the slot, then put the corner back.

• Top-layer edge, left insert (direct)

  Left-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Left-insert the top-layer edge into the target slot

  Left-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Build: top-layer edge, left insert (direct)

  Left-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Left-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  The top-layer edge's side color is aligned with the center, and the center matching its top color is on its left — go with the left insert.

  The edge's side sticker matches the center directly below, and its top color matches the left-side center, as if pointing at the slot on the left.

  The edge is already U-aligned; do the left-insert formula directly.

  Do the left-insert formula U' F' U F U R U' R'. Principle: mirror of the right insert — first temporarily lift the bottom-layer corner under the slot out of the way, slide the edge in from the left, then put the corner back. The edge is solved and not a single bottom-layer corner is lost.

  Left insert formula

  Do the left-insert formula U' F' U F U R U' R': temporarily lift the bottom-layer corner under the slot out of the way, slide the edge in from the left, then put the corner back.

• Top-layer edge, left insert (U adjust)

  U-align, then left-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Left-insert the top-layer edge into the target slot

  Left-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Build: top-layer edge, left insert (U adjust)

  U-align, then left-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Left-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  The top-layer edge's side color isn't aligned with the center yet; it needs a U turn first to align.

  The edge's side sticker is off from the center below; a U turn brings them in line.

  Turn U to bring the edge's side color to its matching center, then do the left insert.

  First turn U to align the edge's side color with the center, then do the left-insert formula U' F' U F U R U' R'. Principle: the left-insert formula assumes the edge is already directly above its target slot; inserting with the side misaligned would drop the edge into the wrong slot — so you must U-align first.

  U align

  Turn U to bring the edge's side color to its matching center, parking it directly above the target slot.

  Left insert formula

  Do the left-insert formula U' F' U F U R U' R': temporarily lift the bottom-layer corner under the slot out of the way, slide the edge in from the left, then put the corner back.

• Middle-layer misplaced, extract from left slot and reinsert

  Extract the {edgeShort} edge and reinsert it into the {slotName} slot

  First knock the FR edge stuck in the FL slot up to the top layer, then left-insert it back into the FR slot

  Extract the {edgeShort} edge and reinsert it into the {slotName} slot

  Build: middle-layer misplaced, extract from left slot and reinsert

  Extract the {edgeShort} edge and reinsert it into the {slotName} slot

  Extract the {edgeShort} edge and reinsert it into the {slotName} slot

  The FL slot in the middle layer holds the edge that belongs in FR (the FR edge is misplaced in the neighboring left slot).

  The FL slot's edge doesn't match either the F or L center — it's a misplaced FR edge.

  See that the FR edge is wedged in the FL slot, and get ready to knock it out first.

  First do the right-insert formula U F U' F' U' L' U L on the FL slot to knock the misplaced FR edge up to the top layer, then use the left-insert formula U' F' U F U R U' R' to insert it back into the FR slot. Principle: there's no direct one-step move between middle-layer slots — a wedged edge can only be knocked out by "borrowing" one insert formula on its current slot (the slot's bottom corner is lifted out and put back, and the edge springs up to the top layer in the process), after which you reinsert it following the standard top-layer workflow.

  Extract to top layer

  Do the right-insert formula U F U' F' U' L' U L on the FL slot: borrow one insert on that slot to knock the misplaced FR edge up to the top layer.

  Left insert formula

  Do the left-insert formula U' F' U F U R U' R' to insert the FR edge back into the FR slot now that it's back in the top layer.

• Middle-layer misplaced, extract from back slot and reinsert

  Extract the {edgeShort} edge and reinsert it into the {slotName} slot

  First knock the FR edge stuck in the BR slot up to the top layer, then right-insert it back into the FR slot

  Extract the {edgeShort} edge and reinsert it into the {slotName} slot

  Build: middle-layer misplaced, extract from back slot and reinsert

  Extract the {edgeShort} edge and reinsert it into the {slotName} slot

  Extract the {edgeShort} edge and reinsert it into the {slotName} slot

  The BR slot in the middle layer holds the edge that belongs in FR (the FR edge is misplaced in the back slot).

  The BR slot's edge doesn't match either the B or R center — it's a misplaced FR edge.

  See that the FR edge is wedged in the BR slot, and get ready to knock it out first.

  First do the right-insert formula U B U' B' U' R' U R on the BR slot to knock the misplaced FR edge up to the top layer, then U-align and use the right-insert formula U R U' R' U' F' U F to insert it back into the FR slot. Principle: there's no direct one-step move between middle-layer slots — a wedged edge can only be knocked out by "borrowing" one insert formula on its current slot (the slot's bottom corner is lifted out and put back, and the edge springs up to the top layer in the process), after which you reinsert it following the standard top-layer workflow.

  Extract to top layer

  Do the right-insert formula U B U' B' U' R' U R on the BR slot: borrow one insert on that slot to knock the misplaced FR edge up to the top layer.

  U align

  Turn U to bring the side color of the FR edge (now back in the top layer) to its matching center, parking it directly above the FR slot.

  Right insert formula

  Do the right-insert formula U R U' R' U' F' U F to insert the FR edge back into the FR slot.

• Done

  Edge done

  This edge is solved

  This edge is solved; no move needed

  Build: ✓ Done

  Edge done

  This edge is solved; no move needed

  This edge is already in its own middle-layer slot, with both side colors against their matching centers. No move needed — move on to the next one.

• Top-layer edge, right insert

  Right-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Right-insert the top-layer edge into the target slot

  Right-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Build: top-layer edge, right insert

  Right-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Right-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Once the top-layer edge's side color is aligned with the center, the center matching its top color is on its right — go with the right insert.

  The edge's side sticker matches the center directly below, and its top color matches the right-side center.

  Turn U to bring the edge's side color to its matching center, parking it directly above the target slot.

  First U-align, then do the right-insert formula (e.g. for the FR slot: U R U' R' U' F' U F). Principle: this sequence first temporarily lifts the bottom-layer corner under the target slot out of the way, slides the edge into the slot, then puts the corner back — the edge is solved and not a single bottom-layer corner is lost.

  U align

  Turn U to bring the edge's side color to its matching center, parking it directly above the target slot.

  Right insert formula

  Do the right-insert formula (e.g. U R U' R' U' F' U F): temporarily lift the bottom-layer corner under the slot out of the way, slide the edge into the slot, then put the corner back.

• Top-layer edge, left insert

  Left-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Left-insert the top-layer edge into the target slot

  Left-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Build: top-layer edge, left insert

  Left-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Left-insert the {edgeShort} edge into the {slotName} slot

  Once the top-layer edge's side color is aligned with the center, the center matching its top color is on its left — go with the left insert.

  The edge's side sticker matches the center directly below, and its top color matches the left-side center.

  Turn U to bring the edge's side color to its matching center, parking it directly above the target slot.

  First U-align, then do the left-insert formula (e.g. for the FR slot: U' F' U F U R U' R'). Principle: mirror of the right insert — first temporarily lift the bottom-layer corner under the slot out of the way, slide the edge in from the left, then put the corner back; the edge is solved and not a single bottom-layer corner is lost.

  U align

  Turn U to bring the edge's side color to its matching center, parking it directly above the target slot.

  Left insert formula

  Do the left-insert formula (e.g. U' F' U F U R U' R'): temporarily lift the bottom-layer corner under the slot out of the way, slide the edge in from the left, then put the corner back.

• Middle-layer edge misplaced

  Take the {edgeShort} edge out and insert it into the {slotName} slot

  First knock the misplaced middle-layer edge back up to the top layer, then reinsert it into the correct slot

  Take the {edgeShort} edge out of the wrong slot and reinsert it into the {slotName} slot

  Build: middle-layer edge misplaced

  Take the {edgeShort} edge out and insert it into the {slotName} slot

  Take the {edgeShort} edge out of the wrong slot and reinsert it into the {slotName} slot

  A middle-layer slot holds a misplaced edge (both side colors mismatch the slot's two centers).

  A middle-layer edge has two side colors that both mismatch its slot's two centers.

  See which slot the misplaced edge is wedged in, and get ready to knock it up to the top layer first.

  First do one right-insert formula on that misplaced edge's slot to knock it up to the top layer, then follow the standard top-layer workflow — U-align and insert it back into the correct slot with the right or left insert. Principle: there's no direct one-step move between middle-layer slots — a wedged edge can only be knocked out by "borrowing" one insert formula on its current slot (the slot's bottom corner is lifted out and put back, and the edge springs up to the top layer in the process), after which you reinsert it just like a top-layer edge.

  Extract to top layer

  Do one right-insert formula on the slot holding the misplaced edge to knock it back up to the top-layer workspace.

  U align

  Turn U to bring the side color of the edge (now back in the top layer) to its matching center, parking it directly above the correct slot.

  Insert edge

  Depending on which side the center matching the edge's top color is on, do the right or left insert formula to solve the edge.

Second Layer Tutorial — Rubik's Cube (LBL)