Roux Method

Roux (pronounced "roo", after Gilles Roux) builds a 1×2×3 block on each side, solves the four top corners with one algorithm, and finishes the last six edges using only M and U moves. It uses few moves and few algorithms: 42 for the corners, and short, mostly intuitive sequences for the edges.

Holding the cube

Roux pictures on this site hold the cube with white on the bottom, yellow on top, blue on the right and orange at the front. So the first block is the green block on the left, and the second block is the blue block on the right. Notation is the same as Beginner CFOP. Roux relies especially on M (the middle slice, turning like L: front goes down) and r (a wide right turn: the right face and M' together).

Step 1: First block

Build a 1×2×3 block on the left: the white–green edge on the bottom beside the green centre, and the two green corner–edge pairs above it at the front and back.

• Plan in inspection. Aim to plan at least the white–green edge and one pair. A good first block takes about 7–10 moves.
• The M slice doesn't matter yet. The white and yellow centres can be anywhere in the middle slice, so use M and r moves freely to move pieces into place.
• Place the edge, then add the pairs. Put the white–green edge under the green centre, then join each corner with its edge and bring the pair down beside it.
• Avoid rotations. Turning the cube makes it much harder to track pieces. Solve everything from the same grip.

Step 2: Second block

Build the matching blue block on the right. Now the first block has to stay intact, so use only moves that don't touch the left side: R, r, U and M.

• Place the white–blue edge first under the blue centre: bring it to the top right with white facing up and do R2. M' and U turns flip and move an edge that's facing the wrong way, e.g. M' U R2 from the top front with white facing forward.
• Pair and insert each corner–edge pair much like F2L, but with R, r, U and M only. For the last pair especially, look for the short R U R'-style inserts you'd use in F2L.
• Keep an eye on the corners. While you finish the second block, start recognising the CMLL case on top.

Step 3: CMLL

Solve the four top corners with one algorithm, without breaking the blocks. The edges and the M slice can be left however they fall.

Recognise the case in two stages. First find the orientation set from the yellow stickers on top: O, H, Pi, U, T, Sune, Antisune or L, the same shapes as the OLL corner cases. Then look at the side colours for bars (matching colours next to each other) and slashes. The CMLL page groups the 42 cases by orientation set.

While learning, use two-look CMLL: orient the corners, then swap them into place. That's 9 algorithms, covered in Beginner Roux.

CMLL42 cases →

Step 4: Last six edges

Everything else uses only M and U. It's done in three short steps, each with its own page.

a. Edge orientation. An edge is bad if its yellow or white sticker isn't facing up or down. Look at the six edges (four on top, two at the front and back of the bottom), and check whether the yellow and white centres are on the top and bottom or off to the front and back. Bad edges come in patterns (on top, on the bottom, or a mix) fixed by short M U M'-style sequences. The pictures show only the yellow and white stickers and the centres. Most finish with M*: turning the middle slice either way leaves the centres on the top and bottom, so use whichever direction is comfortable.

LSE Orientation23 cases →

b. UL and UR. Put the yellow–green edge at the left of the top and the yellow–blue edge at the right, matching the corners. A common trick is to bring both edges together at the bottom with M and U turns, then insert them with M2.

LSE UL/UR29 cases →

c. The M slice. Only the four middle-slice edges and the centres are left. They're solved with patterns of M2, U2, M and M', usually finishing with a final M or M' to line up the centres.

LSE M Slice13 cases →

Tips

• Blocks are where the time goes. Most of the skill in Roux is efficient, intuitive block building, so practise it with slow, planned solves.
• Stay in the grip. Roux uses almost no rotations. M and r turns replace them.
• Learn CMLL gradually, one orientation set at a time, using two-look for the rest.