Partial Cross/xCross/Dual-Solving

[Cubefactor]

I'd like to see examples of Partial Cross, xCross, and dual-solving posted here. Scrambles and walkthroughs included of course. After some time we should have enough examples logged up to point people in the right direction when they ask about it.

Partial Cross == Solving three cross edges and then starting your f2l, and then solving the 4th cross piece later.

xCross == cross+1 edge pair (I don't know a better way to define this...help?)

Dual-Solving == color neutrality for U/D cross/f2l. (Just include cases where solving for D isn't neccesarily the best option)

"Hi can I please speak to Mike -- Ohhh Mannn! -- uh...Birbigaboo"

-Richard

 

[Cubefactor]

Dual Solving -- Double xCross
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U== Green / F== Red

R U2 R' L2 B' L2 B' U2 R2 L D2 F' L' U F2 D U2 R2 U L' D' R' F' D' R'

-----------------------------
z2 <opposite cross>

*I don't solve for orange, but when we see 3 cross pieces on any color there's a good chance we can turn it into an extended

cross for a color we're used to. Since 2 adjacent orange pairs could build a 2x2x3 block, we're going to find both of them

during preinspection if possible.

1)FU2DF'D'- building the first orange pair and inserting it
2)U'FUR2U'R'UR'F- building the second orange pair+inserting last cross piece

 

[Cubefactor]

Dual Solving -- xCross
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U== Green / F== Red

F' R' D2 R' D' L' D2 F' D' B2 F R L U B2 R B2 L2 U' R2 B2 R' D U2 B'

z2 <opposite cross>
F2U2L2RFBRB

 

[UberStuber]

The hardest part about dual solving/opposite cross is the f2l and deciding which cross to use.
As for deciding, you just kind of have to get a feel for what looks like an easy cross. Its hard for me to explain it because there's a billion little things. IDK, maybe someone whos better at it can explain better.
For the f2l practice solving only with your opposite color cross for a week or so. Then start switching back and forth every other solve. Then you can start choosing the easier cross.

 

[Cubefactor]

Using Dual-Solving is hard to get used to at first, but there are a few things that help out.

** I usually only spend 2-4 seconds deciding which cross I'm going to solve. This leaves me with 10+ seconds to plan out whichever color I choose. If you can't decide which to go with in the first 5 seconds go with your primary color.

** There are some obvious situations in which you'd solve U instead of D, or vica versa. One side might have 2 pieces correctly placed already. Sometimes I look at one side and realize its a disaster and that the other side will probably be better.

** Sometimes both U and D are awful. This happens, pick a side and cope

** Knowing which side to solve for during preinspection is half the battle. To get used to solving for both sides, take some averages of your opposite color. It's going to take some practice to wrap your mind around this idea, be patient!

Here are a few common questions regarding dual solving:

Q: "I've been told it's best to solve for ONLY one color (RE: recognition)"
A: I've heard this constantly, but I assure you that recognition can and will become the same for your opposite cross. It's practically the same F2L colors you're used to, just a bit backwards

Q: "I've heard this is only useful if you use xCross, but that's not something I do. Is Dual Solving still useful at that point?"
A: "Yes! Dual Solving does compliment xCross wonderfully (nearly doubles your chances of getting an xCross), but it's not neccesary to using the method. Sometimes your opposite cross will provide you with a cross short enough to see your 1st edge pair much easier. This is going to make your solves more fluid on a more consistent basis.

I hope this helps,

-Richard h43r: