Pairing up a bad start

The reflex: hide the corner in its slot (R U' R' for example), turn the top to place the edge, then bring the corner back out next to it. The pair is formed, all that’s left is to insert it.

In “Edge on the right, misplaced”, U' R U' R' splits the pieces the right way, then U R U R' inserts them. Try to see the pair form in the middle of the algorithm.

Don’t memorize these cases letter by letter: understand which move pairs the pieces up, and which one inserts them.

Remember: If you’re lost, split the two pieces clearly apart: a “corner and edge far apart” case always comes back to a basic insert.

The cases

• Edge on the right, wrong way: U' R U' R' U R U R'. Corner white facing right. Edge top right, green on top.
• Edge at the front, wrong way: U F' U F U' F' U' F. Corner white facing front. Edge top front, green at the front.
• Edge at the front, green on top: R U' R' U R U' R' U2 R U' R'. Corner white facing right. Edge top front, green on top.

Troubleshooting

I break the cross while looking for the pair

Never turn D or a side face on its own without undoing it right away. The moves allowed to pair up are U and the back-and-forths (R U R', F' U' F).

The pair forms, but the wrong way round

The edge’s colors don’t line up with the corner’s. Split them and redo the case: it’s the edge’s orientation that decides.