Advanced F2L: free slots and keyhole
Use a free slot to solve a pair faster, and pick the easiest pair.
Keyboard: Enter to continue, ← to go back. Keep your hands on the cube.
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As long as a slot is empty, it can be used as a shortcut. With “keyhole”, you insert a single piece into a free slot without building the pair first, then add the other piece.
You can also pair up pieces inside a free slot (for example R U R’ into an empty slot) instead of bringing them up to the top.
Don’t solve pairs in a fixed order: take the easiest one. With two pairs in sight, pick the one that needs the fewest moves and the fewest rotations.
The 41 F2L cases are still the foundation. These tricks help when a pair is stuck or badly oriented.
Remember: Keep at least one slot free as long as you can: it’s your room to maneuver.
Troubleshooting
- I break a pair I already placed
- Keyhole only works in an empty slot. Check that the slot is free before using it.
- I waste time choosing the pair
- Choose during the previous insert, as in the lookahead lesson.