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 | I - R' | Q - Bank place |
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.
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A - l2 D' L2(T) | I - Bank place | Q - L2 d l' (J) |
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 Algorithms to solve spots E and O
Alg 1. - U2 M' U2 M'
Alg 2. - M U2 M U2
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) | I - B' R B | Q - B L' B' |
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 For corners
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
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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
