Skewb Tutorial

The Corner-Turning Puzzle

Intermediate
Skewb
⏱️ Time needed: 30-40 minutes to learn
📝 Prerequisites: Basic twisty puzzle experience helpful
🎯 Goal: Solve Skewb consistently in under 1 minute

What is the Skewb?

The Skewb is a corner-turning cube that looks similar to a Rubik's Cube but turns completely differently! Instead of turning faces, you turn corners at 120-degree angles.

Unique Features

  • Corners turn, not faces
  • 120° rotation angles
  • Only 4 axes of rotation
  • Very different from Rubik's Cube

Puzzle Pieces

  • 8 corner pieces (3 colors each)
  • 6 center pieces (fixed positions)
  • No edge pieces!
  • ~100 million combinations
Different From 3x3: Don't try to use 3x3 techniques! The Skewb requires its own unique approach.

Understanding Skewb Movement

When you turn a corner, 7 pieces move (the corner itself plus 6 adjacent pieces). This creates interesting scramble patterns!

Skewb Notation

We'll use simple notation for the 4 corners you can turn while holding the cube normally:

  • R = Right corner clockwise
  • L = Left corner clockwise
  • B = Back corner clockwise
  • F = Front corner clockwise (rarely used)
  • ' = Prime (counterclockwise)

Each turn is 120 degrees, so three turns brings you back to start!

Beginner Method (Sarah's Advanced Method)

We'll use a popular beginner method that's also used by speedcubers:

Step 1: Solve Four Centers

Intuitive

Make four centers on four sides (not all six). Leave top and bottom for later.

Strategy:

  1. Pick a center color (e.g., white)
  2. Solve four centers around the middle "belt" of the cube
  3. This step is completely intuitive - just play around!
  4. Don't worry about corners or the remaining two centers yet
Pro Tip: The centers are in fixed positions, so you're actually rotating the corners to match the centers!

Recognition:

When done correctly, you should have 4 centers solved in a "belt" around the middle of the cube.

Step 2: Solve All 8 Corners

2 Algorithms

Position and orient all corner pieces using just two simple algorithms.

Algorithm 1: Sledgehammer

Used to swap and orient corners on top layer.

R' L R L'

Algorithm 2: Hedgeslammer

Used for more complex corner manipulations.

L' R' L R

How to Use:

  1. Hold cube with 4 solved centers around the middle
  2. Focus on top and bottom faces (unsolved)
  3. Use algorithms to position corners correctly
  4. May need to apply algorithms multiple times
  5. Rotate top/bottom and try different setups
Key Concept: These algorithms cycle corners in specific patterns. Learn what they do and you'll know when to use them!

Step 3: Solve Remaining Centers

1 Algorithm

Finally, orient the last two centers (top and bottom) to solve the cube!

Center Swap Algorithm:

R L' R' L R L' R' L

Alternative (shorter):

F R' L F' R L'

When to Use:

  • All corners are solved
  • Only 2 centers need to be swapped or rotated
  • Apply algorithm to cycle the last centers into place
Almost There: If all corners are correct, you're just one algorithm away from solving!

Complete Solution Summary

1️⃣ Solve 4 centers (belt around middle)

Intuitive - no algorithms

2️⃣ Solve all 8 corners

Use Sledgehammer and Hedgeslammer algorithms

3️⃣ Solve remaining 2 centers

One final algorithm swaps/rotates centers

Alternative Method: Layer by Layer

Some prefer solving the Skewb layer by layer like a Rubik's Cube:

Layer by Layer Steps

  1. Solve one face completely (center + 4 corners)
  2. Solve opposite face
  3. Fix remaining centers
  4. Orient final corners

This method uses more algorithms but may feel more familiar to 3x3 solvers.

Common Patterns

Two Centers Swapped

Use center swap algorithm once

One Corner Twisted

Use Sledgehammer or setup moves

Corner Cycle

Three corners need to rotate positions

Almost Solved

Just centers wrong - one algorithm away!

Advanced Techniques

🚀 Sarah's Advanced Method (Speedsolving)

The same method as beginner, but with:

  • Better recognition of corner cases
  • Optimized fingertricks
  • Planning first layer during inspection
  • Sub-10 second solves possible!

Practice Tips

  • Turn style: Skewb turns are unique - use your whole hand
  • Algorithm practice: The same 2-3 algorithms solve most cases
  • Pattern recognition: Learn to spot which corners need to move
  • Track times: Use our timer
  • Goal times: Sub-30 seconds is good, sub-10 is advanced
  • Scrambling: Do at least 10-12 random turns to scramble properly

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Trying to solve all 6 centers first (harder!)
  • ❌ Using 3x3 algorithms (they don't work)
  • ❌ Not understanding what the algorithms do
  • ❌ Giving up too early - Skewb has a learning curve!

Fun Facts

  • 🎯 Invented by Tony Durham in 1982
  • ⚡ World record is under 1 second!
  • 🔄 Every position can be solved in 11 moves or less
  • 🧩 The center pieces never move - they define the color scheme
  • 🎲 God's number for Skewb is 11 (shortest solution always exists)

Related Puzzles

Master Skewb

Larger version with more pieces

Advanced

Skewb Diamond

Octahedron shape, same mechanism

Intermediate

Ivy Cube

Simplified Skewb (easier)

Beginner

Master the Skewb! 🎲

The Skewb is deceptively simple but incredibly satisfying. With just 2-3 algorithms, you can solve it every time!

Practice with Timer Try Pyraminx