3x3x3 Top Down Equator

3x3x3 Top Down Solution, Equator Layer

REMEMBER: Before starting any algorithm, make sure that the front (dark grey) face is facing you and the top layer is on the top.

The aim of this section is to take you from this

to this

completing the middle layer.

The Edges

A good rule of thumb for identifying a middle layer edge that is on the bottom layer is that it does not have the bottom face's centre colour on it, in this case yellow.

For the purpose of this exercise I will use the red and blue faced edge.

The middle layer is completed by using only two algorithms and you will notice that each move in the first algorithm is a mirror of the same move in the second algorithm and that the first move turns the edge on the bottom layer away from where you are going to place it.

Start by searching the bottom of the cube for the red and blue edge rotate the bottom layer until the face on the side face of the cube lines up with the same coloured centre on the side face of the cube and follow the appropriate algorithm. If the red and blue edge is not on the bottom layer or is in the right place but back to front then perform either algorithm to replace it with any bottom edge, preferably with the one that belongs where it is or with an edge with the bottom centre's colour on it.

Front face dark grey.

Algorithm 1

D'	R'	D	R	D	F	D'	F'

Down face Anti-clock	Right face Anti-clock	Down face Clockwise	Right face Clockwise	Down face Clockwise	Front face Clockwise	Down face Anti-clock	Front face Anti-clock

Front face dark grey.

Algorithm 2

D	L	D'	L'	D'	F'	D	F

Down face Clockwise	Left face Clockwise	Down face Anti-clock	Left face Anti-clock	Down face Anti-clock	Front face Anti-clock	Down face Clockwise	Front face Clockwise

Now follow these instructions to put all of the middle layer edges in place.

When you have put all four middle layer edges in place you are ready to start working on the bottom layer:
Bottom Layer for beginners or,
Bottom Layer Picture Cube