Introduction

Now that we have the white cross created, in this step we will place the white corners and complete the first layer. This step can also be solved intuitively if you are up for the challenge however if you are not then keep reading below to see how it's done.

Some people like to solve this step of the Rubik's cube with the white cross facing down. Some people like to solve it with the white cross facing up. Either way is fine. We will demonstrate here with the white cross facing down because it will be easier to see what is happening (the corner you are trying to place you can see all 3 sides of) but you can easily adjust the algorithms to work with the cube flipped.

You have a bit of flexibility with this stage. There are two methods you can approach slotting the pieces into place with. Use whichever you find suits you best.

The White Corners

For both of these approaches you want to line up the white corner piece directly above the corner it needs to be slotted into. The corner piece may be in one of three orientations:

	White panel on top
	White panel facing forwards
	White panel facing to the side

Fortunately both of these methods will twist the piece around if you repeat them so just keep repeating until the piece is in place in the right orientation. Both of these methods may be performed as a mirror image on the other side of the cube as well.

For each algorithm, rotate the cube until the piece you want to place is on your front right. These algorithms work with your right hand manipulating the cube (though you can mirror the algorithms to perform them with your left hand as well). After the piece is placed, rotate the cube so the next corner to place is aligned to your front right.

Method 1

One thing you'll notice in a lot of these algorithms is that there is a symmetry to them. In the above algorithm the last two steps are the opposite of the first two steps and in the opposite order. This makes it easier to remember.

If the white corner you are placing is not the right way around that's ok. Just repeat the algorithm until it is.

Method 2

This one has two steps. One for orienting the piece correctly and one for then slotting it into place. The two algorithms are very similar however so remembering them is not that difficult.

To orient the piece we use the following algorithm after placing the piece directly above the corner it is to be slotted into.

Keep doing this algorithm until the white panel is facing you. Then perform the algorithm below. It is the same algorithm with the fourth step removed.

Taking things further

The algorithms above use your right hand to do the manipulation. See if you can do the same manipulations with your left hand. This is useful for getting faster as sometimes the pieces aren't in the right orientation for the right hand but are for the left hand. Rather than move to the right hand and reorient until it is correct you can straight away place the piece with your left hand.