Extended Slot

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Extended Slot
Extended Slot dFr.png
Information
Proposer: James Straughan
Proposed: 2006
Purpose: Speedsolving

Extended slot refers to a slot and an adjacent edge of the F2L. Some methods which use this step include APB, Nautilus, and MI1. In those methods the last slot and an adjacent edge from the D layer remain in the first two layers and is called Last Extended Slot or abbreviated to LXS. LXS was originally used in 2006 as part of the Nautilus method but received more complete development in 2020 and 2021 in APB and the re-development of Nautilus. The extended slot term was named by Liam Highducheck.

Last Extended Slot Methods

There are many ways to finish a solve upon reaching the last extended slot state. This can be compared to the number of methods which solve the last slot and last layer.

  • Last Extended Slot (LXS): Fully solves the extended slot then the user solves the last layer. This step can be performed intuitively or by using algorithms. If all edges are oriented there are 116 cases. If edges aren't oriented, there are 467.
  • EO + D layer edge: Orients the remaining six edges while solving the edge that belongs in the D layer. In the Nautilus method, this would typically be EODF. In APB, it is either EODR or EODF.
  • EOFE or FE: Orients the remaining six edges while solving the two F2L edges. Or, if all edges are already oriented, solves the F2L edges without needing to perform any orientation. This LXS method was proposed by Vincent Trang.
  • L5E: Solves one of the F2L pairs, the corners of the last layer, then the last five edges.
  • 2GLL+1: One of the F2L pairs is solved while permuting the corners of the last layer, then the last layer and the remaining edge of the F2L is solved.
  • CX: First, all corners are solved. Then the remaining edges are solved in any number of steps.
  • Polar: One of the F2L pairs is placed while orienting the left and right side stickers of the last layer corners to face the left and right side. The edges may also be separated to the left and right side, creating a domino reduction state on the left and right side. Then all pieces are permuted.
  • CLL+2: First an F2L pair is solved. Then the remaining four corners and any two edges are simultaneously solved. Finally, the solve is completed with the last three edges.

See Also