Blind Solving Algorithms (2024)

Old Pochmann - Corner and Edge method
M2 method and Edge flipping algs farther down the page

Old Pochmann is a basic method for blind solving that utilizes swapping only a few pieces at once using common algorithms found in methods like CFOP. It was created by Stefan Pochmann. You set up corners to a receiving spot and swap it with the bank piece. I highly suggest learning this before going into M2 method for edges.

Algorithms to know for Old PochmannFor corners
Altered Y Permutation -(R U' R'U')R U R' F'(R U R' U')R' F R

For Edges

J Permutation -(R U R' F')(R U R' U')R' FR2 (U' R'U')

T Permutation -(RU R' U')R' FR2 (U' R'U'R) U R' F'

"Parity" Not exactly a parity error but commonly called that
Done between corners and edges if an odd number of letters were in both sets.

R Permutation (After turning cube so left side is now in front either with y' then y, or U' then U)
(L U2' L' U2') L F' (L' U' L U) L F L2' U

Instead of memorizing pieces like UB for Up/Back edge or FR for Front/Right I give a letter to each piece which makes it really easy to memorize each piece. The letters are A-X starting on the U face going clockwise, then Front, Right, Back, Left, and Down face.

It may take some time to get used to where each letter is but in time it becomes easy to recall each piece.

Set up for each piece should be intuitive but please feel free to use this chart to get used to the movements
All of these set up moves must be reversed after the algorithm is done before the next piece is moved.

Set up moves for corners
For each piece you will set it up, do a Y permutation, and then reverse the set up moves.

A - Bank place
B - R D'
C - F
D - F R'
E - F' D
F - F2 D
G - D R
H - D

I - R'
J - R2
K - R
L - Already set
M - R' F
N - Bank place
O - D' R
P - D'

Q - Bank place
R - F2
S - D2 R
T - D2
U - F'
V - D' F'
W - D2 F'
X - D F'

Set up moves for edges
a(T)after the set up move signifies a T perm and(J)​ for J perm done between set up and reversing set up.

A - l2 D' L2(T)
B - Bank place
C - Already set(J)
D - Already set(T)
E - l D' L2(T)
F - d2 L(T)
G - l' (J)
H - L'​(T)

I - Bank place
J - d L(T)
K - D' l'(J)
L - d' L'(T)
M - l(J)
N - L(T)
O - D2 l'(J)
P - d2 L'​(T)

Q - L2 d l' (J)
R - d' L(T)
S - D l'(J)
T - d L'(T)
U - D' L2(T)
V - D2 L2(T)
W - D L2(T)
X - L2​(T)

M2 - Edge method

M2 is a method also created by Stefan Pochmann that is very similar to O.P. in a sense that it only swaps one piece at a time. The set up moves are a bit more difficult and there are a couple special algorithms to know. The basic idea of it though is that instead of doing T and J perms you just do M2.

Algorithms to know for M2

Algorithms to solve spots C and W (More detail below)

*Notice how alg. 2 is always a reverse of alg. 1
Alg 1. - U2 M' U2 M'
Alg 2. - M U2 M U2

Algorithms to solve spots E and O


Alg 1. - (D M' U) R2 (U' M U) R2 (U' D' M2)
Alg 2. - (M2 D U) R2 (U' M' U) R2 (U' M D')

"Parity" Not exactly a parity error but commonly called that
Done between edges and corners (Edges has to be done first)
(D' L2 D) M2 (D' L2 D)

Set up moves for Edges
Unless it just says "algorithm" you do the set up move, M2, then reverse the set up move

A - Already set (Just M2 needed)
B -R' U R U'
C - Algorithm
D - L U' L' U
E - Algorithm
F - U R U'
G - Bank place
H - U' L' U

I - B' R B
J - R'B' R B
K - B' R' B
L - B' R2 B
M -B' R B U R2 U'
N - U' L U
O - Algorithm
P - U R' U'

Q - B L' B'
R - B L2 B'
S - B L B'
T - LB L' B'
U - Bank place
V - U R2 U'
W - Algorithm
X - U' L2 U

Every time you switch an edge the middle slice turns 180°. Because of this the C/E piece switches spots with the O/W piece. You need to know if in your cycle of letters if it is an odd number (First, third, fifth, etc. in the line of letters) or if it is even (second, fourth, etc.). I memorize letters is groups of two so you can just look at if it is the first or second letter.

If it is the first letter you do alg. 1 for C/E and alg. 2 for O/W. If it is an even letter you just flip them and do Alg. 2 for C/Eand Alg 1 for O/W.The algorithms are just reverse of each other so if your first two letters are C and then W you would do (U2 M' U2 M') and the again (U2 M' U2 M') since you did alg. 1 for C and then alg. 1 again for W. It may seem confusing at first and I originally tried to find a way around t by flipping edges back at the end but after a couple solves it becomes pretty easy.

Edge Flipping/Corner Twisting Tricks (algorithms)

Often you will have edges and corners that just need to be flipped or twisted. If you don't solve them in the way shown in the Old Pochmann walkthrough (orienting the Front/Left edge by solving H then R then you can solve them by just doing a simple algorithm. The few algorithms shows are made to have the corners or edges that need to be oriented to be set up in those spots.

If you have an even number of edges flipped they will be the only ones oriented incorrectly. If you have an odd number (1, 3, etc.) you will also have the bank piece flipped incorrectly.

If you have only one corner oriented incorrectly the bank piece will be also incorrectly oriented. If you have one corner that needs to be twisted clockwise (120°) the bank will need to be twisted counter-clockwise (120°). Having two incorrectly oriented corners does not mean that the bank will be correct since you could have both corners needing to be twisted the same direction 120°.

There are a ton of options and variations but these are a few of my favorites. You do NOT need to know these but they can help reduce the moves done in a solve and inevitably lower your times.

For Edges
Orients edgesAandC-(M' U M' U M') U2 (M U M U M) U2
Orients edgesA,B,CandD-(M' U M' U M' U M' U')x2​
Orients edgesA,D,W, andU-
(M' U)x4

For corners


Rotates L clockwise and Jcounter-clockwise -R' U (R2' U' R2 U') R' U (R U R' U') (R2 U' R2 U)
RotatesLcounter-clockwise andJClockwise - R2 R' U (R2' U' R2 U') R' U (R U R' U') (R2 U' R2 U) R2

Blind Solving Algorithms (2024)

FAQs

Is it possible to solve a Rubik's cube blindfolded? ›

There are multiple methods to choose from when solving a cube blindfolded. For this guide, we will use the M2 method on the edges and the Old Pochmann method on the corners. Although it is not absolutely essential to know how to solve a Rubik's cube prior to trying it blindfolded, it will make the process much easier.

What is the world record for blind cube solving? ›

Fastest time to solve a 3x3x3 rotating puzzle cube blindfolded - 12.10 seconds by Charlie Eggins 🇦🇺 #guinnessworldrecords #cubing #speedcubing.

What is the 3OP method? ›

3OP solves the cube one part at a time, starting with the two orientation steps. Each piece is first oriented (flipped or rotated) in place, meaning without changing the permutation. Then, each piece is permuted (moved) to its correct spot, now without disturbing the already-corrected orientation.

Is it hard to learn 3x3 blindfolded? ›

3x3 Blindfolded is an event that works on principles that are easy to understand but harder to execute. All this comes down to familiarity and practice.

How many people in the world can solve Rubik's cube blindfolded? ›

It is estimated that only 5.8% of the total population can solve the Rubik's cube.

What is the fastest blind 3x3 solve? ›

The fastest time to solve a 3x3x3 rotating puzzle cube while blindfolded is 12.00 seconds, achieved by Tommy Cherry (USA) at the Triton Tricubealon 2024 event in San Diego, California, USA, on 11 February 2024. Cherry has won this title seven times since 2021.

What is the world record for the Rubik's cube for a 13 year old? ›

The record for being the fastest to solve a 3 x 3 Rubik's Cube was set by M. E. Kavinrrajuluu (born on May 26, 2009) of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He solved a 3 x 3 Rubik's Cube in 48 seconds and 11 milliseconds, at the age of 13 years, 6 months and 29 days, as confirmed on December 24, 2022.

Can you solve a Rubik's cube without memorizing algorithms? ›

There is a multitude of different approaches: you can start with corners first, by block building, by orienting all edges, among many others. The easiest and most common method used in CFOP is the cross + First 2 Layers. None of these steps require any algorithms, as they are intuitively solved.

What is the Rubik's cube that Cannot be solved? ›

In images and illustrations of the Rubik's cubes, common mistakes can occur where multiples of the same color appear incorrectly. These include two of the same color on a single edge or corner piece, or more than one center color on the cube, as each center has its own color. This is unsolvable.

Is the impossible Rubik's cube possible? ›

You can do the Rubik's Impossible

You can do it (especially with the help of the 3x3 Solution Guide)! Check out the Solution Guide for instructions on how to solve the Rubik's Impossible!

What is the hardest type of Rubik's cube to solve? ›

The Superflip or 12-flip pattern is probably one of the most complicated configurations of Rubik's Cube that you can find. This is a symmetrical layout of the cube and the solution.

Is it possible to make an unsolvable Rubik's cube? ›

If you disassemble and reassemble a Rubik's Cube randomly, you have a 91.6% chance of making it unsolvable. Obviously, rearranging the stickers is similarly not good for it. But you wouldn't have done that, because that's cheating.

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