ZB method

ZB method Information about the method Proposer(s): Zbigniew Zborowski Ron van Bruchem Proposed: 2002 Alt Names: Variants: VH No. Steps: 3 No. Algs: 798 ZBLS: 305 ZBLL: 472 (+ 21 inc. PLL) Avg Moves: Speedsolving: 48 Purpose(s): Speedsolving Fewest Moves

ZB (short for Zborowski-Bruchem after its proponents, Zbigniew Zborowski and Ron van Bruchem) is a very efficient but algorithm-intensive method which is a variation of advanced LBL methods such as the Fridrich method. After solving the F2L minus one corner-edge pair in whatever method the solver wishes, there are just two more steps: ZBLS (originally called ZBF2L), which finishes F2L while simultaneously orienting the edges of the last layer, and ZBLL, which finishes the last layer in one algorithm.

ZB averages fewer moves than CFOP and reaches the all last layer edges oriented state without requiring the use of edge control. Unfortunately, because this method has a total of 300 algorithms or 795 total cases, it would take a very long time to learn the entire method. The ergonomics of the ZBLS algorithms are also mostly unknown.

The method has historically been regarded as difficult to learn due to its high algorithm count, requiring solvers to memorize approximately 800 algorithms (798 algorithms including ZBLS and ZBLL). As a result, many speedcubers have not adopted the method entirely, instead incorporating selected ZB techniques (mostly ZBLL) into CFOP, with which it is highly compatible. In recent years, the method has gained increased attention within the speedcubing community. This growth has been associated with the success of Chinese speedcubers such as Xuanyi Geng and Qixian Cao, both of whom use the ZB method. This later inspired Tymon Kolasiński to switch to the ZB method in its entirety. As of 2026, the 2nd best 3x3 average is currently held by Xuanyi Geng, who uses the ZB method.

See also

• ZBLS
• ZBLL
• VH
• Fridrich Method
• ZZ Method

Resources

• Zbigniew Zborowski's ZB Page
• Chris Hardwick's ZB Page
• Jason Baum's ZB Page
• Dan Harris's ZB Page
• pepkin88's ZBLL Explorer, compiles algorithms from many different resources
• Lars Petrus's ZBLL Algs
• Lars Vandenbergh's ZB F2L Algs
• CE's ZB F2L Algs (OH)
• Tading's ZBLL Algs
• speedcubingtips.eu's ZB method in French
• speedcubingtips.eu's ZBLL Algs
• speedcubingtips.eu's ZBLS Algs