Tripod Method

Tripod method Information about the method Proposer(s): Ryan Heise,Michael Gottlieb Proposed: 2002 Alt Names: none Variants: Petrus No. Steps: 4 No. Algs: 58 Avg Moves: ~50 Purpose(s): Speedsolving

A blockbuilding approach to solving the 3x3x3, first proposed by Ryan Heise and developed by Michael Gottlieb and Mirek Goljan. The method is characterized by the final steps, which involve solving a 'tripod' composed of the three 1x1x2 columns connected to the URF corner piece.

The Steps

1. Build a 2x2x2 block. This is an intuitive step.

2.Build 3 1x2x2 block side by side the 2x2x2 block. This is also an intuitive step.

3. Insert the last F2L slot.

4. Finish the last layer using one of 58 algorithms.

Pros

Like many other blockbuilding methods, this method uses less moves than the ever popular CFOP method. The steps are all fairly simple and easy to execute, allowing for good lookahead. The method has a low algorithm count compared to most mainstream methods such as CFOP or ZZ.

Cons

The blocks, particularly the U layer block, are quite restrictive to the construction of the final F2L slot. Recognition for the final step is not excellent and could be compared to that of COLL. Beginners may find blockbuilding to be difficult.

Example solve

Scramble (white on top, green in front): L' F2 R U B R2 D' F2 L' B U' R2 F2 B2 U L2 U' R2 L2

x2 R U' D R' D' - 2x2x2

y' L' F U' F2 L F' - First 2x2x1 block

L2 D L' U2 L D' - Second 2x2x1 block

U F R U' R' F' L' U' L U2 - Final 2x2x1 block

U' R F' U' F' U F R' F2 U' F2 U2 - F2L slot

L' U R U' R' U R U' R' L R U R' U' R U R' U' - Last 5 pieces

External links

• Web-based tutorial
• Mirek Goljan's tripod algorithms
• Ryan Heise's Post
• Speedsolving.com: BindeDSA's Algorithms