Rubik's Revenge

III. Solve the Top Edges


Move Up (from the Bottom):

Here are 4 ways to get an edge-cube from the bottom to the top. An edge-cube has a strange property; it can invert itself while moving about, or it can land in unexpected places. Rotate the bottom layer until the edge-cube appears in the front, and then get ready to climb it to the top. Make sure the color patterns match before moving a single slice.

  
  
  

B- M- B+ M+

  

B+ N- B- N+

  

N- B2 N+ B+
N- B- N+

  

M- B2 M+ B-
M- B+ M+


Move Up (from the Equator):

An edge-cube can also appear at the "equator" of the puzzle. It can start from 4 different places, so once again there are 4 different moves to navigate it to the top. You may have to rotate the top layer to match the diagrams below.

    
    
    


M- B- L- B+
M+ B- L+

    


N- B- L- B+
N+ B- L+

    


M- B+ R- B-
M+ B+ R+

    


N- B+ R- B-
N+ B+ R+


Move Up (Doubles):

Once in a while, the 2 edge-cubes are already paired. You can still use the previous moves to place them one at a time, or you can use the shortcuts to get them on the top much faster. There is a draw-back: you have to memorize more moves!

        


B- [MN]- B+ [MN]+

    


[MN]- B2 [MN]+

    

Moving a Pair from the Bottom

________________________

        


[MN]- B- L- B+
[MN]+ B- L+

    


[MN]- B+ R- B-
[MN]+ B+ R+

    

Moving a Pair from the Equator


Knock Down:

In this case, an edge-cube(s) is in the top layer, but on the wrong side. Use these sequences to to knock it/them back down to the bottom layer.

  
  

M- B- M+

  

N- B+ N+

  

[MN]- B- [MN]+


Invert:

And finally, if you need to invert a pair that is already on top:

        


[MN]- B2 [MN]+ B-
[MN]- B+ [MN]+


Go ahead and solve the other Top Edges. You will not disturb any of the others that are already in place. After arranging all 8 Top Edges, the entire top side should now be complete. Congratulations! Even just solving one side is enough to stun anyone in total awe. You can do three things at this point:


@ Notation / Top Centers @ Top Corners @ Top Edges
@ Middle Edges @ Bottom Corners @ Bottom Edges @ Middle Centers

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