Two-look OLL · look 2: the corners
Pi algorithm.
The yellow cross is already made. No corner has its yellow sticker on top, and 4 yellow stickers face sideways. The Pi algorithm is 9 moves long: R U2 R2 U' R2 U' R2 U2 R.
The algorithm
R U2 R2 U' R2 U' R2 U2 R
9 moves. After it, the whole top face is yellow, and the first two layers are exactly as they were.
Watch it, move by move
Turn on JavaScript to watch this on a 3D cube. The moves are: R U2 R2 U' R2 U' R2 U2 R
- R
- U2
- R2
- U'
- R2
- U'
- R2
- U2
- R
How to recognise it
The yellow cross is already made. No corner has its yellow sticker on top, and 4 yellow stickers face sideways.
Turn the top layer until the sideways yellow stickers match the picture, then do the algorithm.
Tips for learning it
- Say the moves aloud in groups: R U2 R2 U' | R2 U' R2 U2 | R.
- Practise it on the virtual cube until you can type it from memory, then on a real cube.
- Do it ten times in a row and see how many go wrong. Slow and right beats fast and wrong.
FAQ
Pi: questions
What does the Pi algorithm do?
It turns the last-layer corners yellow so the whole top face is one colour. It uses 9 moves and leaves the first two layers as they were: R U2 R2 U' R2 U' R2 U2 R.
How do I recognise the Pi case?
The yellow cross is already made. No corner has its yellow sticker on top, and 4 yellow stickers face sideways. Match the top of your cube to the picture on this page.
What is the inverse of the Pi algorithm?
R' U2 R2 U R2 U R2 U2 R'. Doing it undoes the algorithm and recreates the case.
What comes after two-look OLL?
Two-look PLL: put the pieces in their right places. See the PLL algorithms page.
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