Keep the V on the left and fix the other three centers with Rw and U.
Goal
Fix the other three centers without breaking the V.
How to hold it
Turn the whole puzzle (y') so the V is on the left. The yellow center is now at the left corner, with both yellow edges on the bottom.
What the keyhole is
The left corner's empty edge slot is in the top layer, at the front left. Rw keeps the whole left corner still, so the V stays in one piece. Everything else turns around it, including the other two bottom centers.
Where Rw moves the centers
Rw cycles the other three centers around the left corner: right center to the top, top center to the back, back center to the right. Rw' goes the other way: back center to the top, top center to the right, right center to the back.
U only turns the top center and the three top edges, never the V. So bring a center to the top first, turn it with U, then bring it back.
Bringing it back with the opposite turn puts the other two centers back where they were, as if nothing happened.
Steps
- Find a bottom center that is off: its yellow is not on the bottom.
- Bring that center to the top: use
Rw for the right center and Rw' for the back center.
- Turn
U or U' so its yellow will face down once it goes back.
- Undo the turn from step 2 to put the center back.
- Finally turn
U so the top center matches the bottom centers on all three faces.
Memory tips
Fix one center at a time, with the same rhythm: bring it up, turn it, bring it back.
Check
Every face has three center triangles of one color. The V is still whole on the left.
Common mistakes
- Using
R instead of Rw: R drags along one edge of the V.
- Forgetting to bring the center back after turning
U.
What next
Next you turn the V to the back and add the third edge.