Part 2: Solving the Middle Layer

• Before beginning this part, you should have one completely solved face of the Rubik's Cube. If not, return to part 1.
• There are 2 algorithms for this part, but they're actually the same algorithm mirrored for 2 different versions of the same problem. Algorithm 3 and algorithm 4 each swap one edge piece from the top face with one of the edge pieces in the horizontal middle layer.

• In part 2, you'll be shown how to solve the edge pieces in the horizontal middle layer using these 2 algorithms.
• Flip the cube upside down so that the side you've already solved is now on the bottom, then move on to section 2-1.

Section 2-1: Locating and moving an unsolved middle edge piece

• Look at an unsolved edge spot in the middle layer.
• The edge will either be in the correct spot but flipped, as shown in figure 7 (go to step 2-1a)

OR...

• ...The wrong edge piece will be in its place (go to step 2-1b).

Step 2-1a:

• Orient the cube so that this piece is in the front right position and the layer you solved first is on the bottom.
• Pick either of the 2 algorithms from this part and perform it twice
• algorithm 3

OR

• algorithm 4
• The edge should now be solved. Move on to section 2-2.

Step 2-1b:

• Locate the correct piece for the unsolved edge spot you've located(make sure you’re paying attention to both colors on the edge pieces, and that they both correspond to the centers of the middle layer on either side).
• If the correct piece is in the top layer, move on to section 2-2
• Otherwise, the correct piece is in another edge spot in the middle layer.
• In this case, you should hold the cube so that the edge piece you found is in the front right position of the middle layer (see figure 8), with the plus sign you made on the bottom.
• Perform either of the 2 algorithms from part 2
• algorithm 3

OR

• algorithm 4
• The edge will now be in the top layer. Move on to section 2-2.

Section 2-2: Solving a middle edge piece

• Rotate the top face so that the top color of the edge piece you've located sits directly opposite from the center piece that matches the top color of that edge piece
• Orient the cube so that the 2 centers in the middle layer that correspond with the 2 colors of your edge piece are on the front and the right, and that the side you solved first is pointing downward.
• The edge piece you've located will either be in the top back position (go to step 2-2a) OR The edge piece you've located will be in the top left position (go to step 2-2b)

Step 2-2a:

• While maintaining the orientation of the cube from the previous step, perform algorithm 3 once.
• Repeat part 2 until all of the edges in the middle layer have been solved, then move on to part 3 ▶

Step 2-2b:

• While maintaining the orientation of the cube from the previous step, perform algorithm 4 once
• Repeat part 2 until all of the edges in the middle layer have been solved, then move on to part 3 ▶