Step 4 of 8 · Beginner method
Second-Layer Edges
Place the middle-layer edges in their correct positions using the left and right insertion triggers.
- 1The Daisy
- 2White Cross
- 3First-Layer Corners
- 4Second-Layer Edges
- 5Yellow Cross
- 6Yellow Edges
- 7Yellow Corners — Position
- 8Yellow Corners — Orient
How to hold the cube
Yellow up, white down. The target slot always sits at the front — rotate the whole cube to bring it there.
With the first layer done, four middle-layer edges remain. They are exactly the four edges with NO yellow sticker — any top-layer edge without yellow belongs in the middle.
Find one in the top layer. Turn U until its front sticker matches the front centre — the edge and the centre form an upside-down "T".
Now read the edge’s TOP sticker: if it matches the RIGHT centre, use the right insertion; if it matches the LEFT centre, use the left insertion. The edge travels down into its slot without breaking the first layer.
An edge sitting wrong (or flipped) inside a slot: insert any yellow-free top edge into that slot — the wrong one pops out to the top — then solve it properly from the top.
Both algorithms protect everything you have built: the white layer comes back untouched on every application.
Done-check: two full layers solid, only the yellow layer left.
See the states
The algorithms
Edge’s front sticker matches the front centre and its top sticker matches the RIGHT centre.
Edge’s front sticker matches the front centre and its top sticker matches the LEFT centre.
Tips
- Middle-layer edges are the ones with no yellow sticker
- Make the upside-down T before you decide left or right
- Rotate the whole cube so the target slot faces you
- Eject a wrong edge by inserting any yellow-free edge into its slot
Common mistakes
- Trying to insert an edge that has a yellow sticker
- Reading the top sticker before aligning the front sticker
- Mixing up the left and right insertions
- Panicking mid-algorithm — finish it and the first layer returns