Algorithms From Different Angles

I would like to talk about the importance of being able to execute certain algorithms from different angles. In a solve, you really want to reduce unnecessary turns. They just take up extra time, slowing you down. It is important to be able do perform an algorithm from multiple angles so that it doesn't require extra turns to set it up. To explain this I will use the "Sune" which is one of the most commonly known OLL's. Here is a picture of the case in the orientation in which the algorithm will work.

The algorithm for this case is R U R' U R U2 R'

But what if it looked like this. It is the same exact case but at a different angle.

The algorithm would need to be adjusted. This can be done by doing the same set of moves but from a different angle. The algorithm would then look like L U L' U L U2 L'. It would solve the same case but just at a different angle. This saves you turns, therefore time.

Another example can be done with the "Anti-Sune." this case is the inverse of the Sune, Hence the name Anti-Sune. Like the Sune this is also a great algorithm to execute from different angles. The algorithm for this case is R U2 R' U' R U' R'. That algorithm will solve the Anti-Sune only from one angle. 

But what if it looked like this?

Well like i said before you could rotate the top layer and then solve it with the algorithm above or you could just execute it from a different angle. The algorithm for this angle would be R' U' R U' R' U2 R.

This can not be done with all algorithms however. Only some are practical because the algorithm at a different angle would be very hard to perform and actually slower than just doing extra turns and performing it like usual. You will have to use your own discretion to see which cases are practical and which are not. I know this is a bit of a nit-picky thing but this technique can help to lower your times just a bit when used wisley,

F2L

F2L is the second step of CFOP and arguably the most important. F2L stands for "First 2 Layers" and comes right after solving your cross. There are two different ways of solving F2L when dealing with CFOP, one is intuitive F2L and the other is algorithm F2L. Just about no one solves exclusivity with either of these, but with an amalgamation of the two. Intuitive F2L basically means you use no algorithms and everything is solved with your common sense and pre-existing understanding of the cube and how it works. Algorithm F2L focuses on specific cases and scenarios. It is a lot of work to memorize all of these algorithms for these specific cases but it pays off. When a case that you have memorized an algorithm for, it can be solved much faster and in a more fingertrickable way than it would be solved intuitively. Because of this I have been recently memorizing algorithms for specific cases which I have had trouble solving quickly in the past. This is a great video made by Daniel Sheppard  that shows some very good algorithms for cases I have had trouble with in the past.


 
My F2L favourite algorithm I have learned so far is this case. 

The algorithm to place the corner in while the edge is already solved is R' D' R U' R' D R. Normally this case would require a time consuming Y rotation but this algorithm utilizes D turns and it can be executed very quickly. This is also a great algorithm because it can be used to force an OLL skip. An OLL skip is where the OLL stage is completed already after F2L and does not require an algorithm. When the case appears like this you can execute the algorithm and it won't un-orient any of the other pieces leaving you with an OLL skip allowing you to move straight into PLL. When done intuitively, this would not be the case. This is what the cube looks like when you are able to utilize this algorithm to force an OLL skip.