Skewb Center-Control LBL: A Complete Guide

This guide explains center-control LBL for the Skewb. The solve has three stages. FL solves the bottom corners and center, LL solves the top corners and center together, and the final stage permutes the four side centers. Learn the basic move notation and the two four-move units S and H before reading the algorithms.

Method overview#

Beginner LBL#

Beginner LBL usually solves one face, the top corners, the top center, and the side centers in separate stages. Most of the solution consists of repeated S and H units, which gives the approach its SH stacking name.

Beginner LBL

For a first Skewb solve, begin with the GAN Skewb tutorial ↗ to learn how corner turns move the pieces and how the beginner center step works.

Center-control LBL#

Center-control LBL combines the top corners and top center in LL. Once the top layer is complete, only the four side centers remain, giving the method its three-stage structure.

Center-control LBL

Multidirectional center control also tracks the side-center permutation and uses it to select an LL execution angle. A favorable angle reduces the final center permutation and can sometimes skip the side-center stage.

L2L and full prediction#

L2L is an advanced approach that solves every remaining corner and center after FL in one case. The CubeRoot L2L set contains 134 cases. Sarah’s Advanced expresses many cases as S/H combinations, while NS supplies dedicated algorithms for some of the longer combinations. KK is another advanced algorithm system for related states. These approaches require substantially more recognition and memorization, so center-control LBL provides a useful learning foundation.

Skewb Resources ↗ lists L2L algorithms in a recommended learning order. CubeRoot Skewb Skills ↗ provides FL, L2L, and one-look training.

Full prediction means planning the complete FL during inspection and deriving the resulting L2L case. The solver can then execute FL and L2L continuously without a recognition pause between the two stages.

Notation#

Basic moves#

Skewb corner moves and whole-cube rotation axes

Corner moves and whole-cube rotations

This guide uses the eight-corner notation shown above. Each letter identifies one corner. Viewed from outside the cube along that corner’s turning axis, a single letter means a 120° clockwise turn and an apostrophe means a 120° counterclockwise turn. Uppercase and lowercase letters identify different corners, so R and r are separate moves.

x, y, and z rotate the entire cube 90° around the corresponding axis in the diagram. An apostrophe reverses the direction, and 2 indicates a 180° rotation. Read every algorithm from left to right. Parentheses group a sequence, as in (S z S), and S2 means two consecutive S units. The WCA Regulation 12h ↗ defines the fixed-corner notation used for official scrambles.

S and H#

S abbreviates Sledgehammer, and H abbreviates Hedgeslammer. The diagrams in this guide use these definitions:

S = r' R r R'
H = R r' R' r

text

Each S or H contains four corner turns. H is the inverse of S, so an S followed immediately by an H returns the cube to its preceding state. Later SH combinations connect several S and H units with whole-cube rotations.

Center-control LBL tutorial#

FL#

FL solves the bottom center and its four corners. Choose a bottom color, locate the four corners containing that color, and place them around the center in the cyclic order defined by their adjacent side colors. The first three corners are usually intuitive. The last insertion must preserve the completed part of the face.

The diagram below shows the two basic last-corner insertions. Match the target corner and solved section to the picture. Execute L F' L' for the left case and R' F R for the right case. After the insertion, all four bottom-color stickers should face down and the adjacent side colors should follow the correct cyclic order.

Left and right FL last-corner insertions with algorithms

Two FL last-corner insertions

LL#

LL solves all four top corners and the top center together. Keep FL on the bottom. Yellow in the diagram represents the color opposite the chosen bottom color, and dark gray stickers can be ignored during recognition. Rotate the whole cube until the top-color stickers match a pictured state, then execute its algorithm from left to right.

The chart shows 11 cases grouped as Singlet, Doublet, and Triplet according to whether their algorithms contain one, two, or three S/H units. Some cases include several alternatives; select the sequence that suits your turning style. An initial x or y belongs to the algorithm and must be executed after recognition.

The 11 center-control LL cases and their algorithms

Center-control LL algorithms

Side centers#

After LL, the top and bottom faces are solved and only the four side centers need permutation. U- and U+ are opposite directions of a three-center cycle. Z and H are the two four-center permutations shown below. Compare each side center with the colors established by that face’s corners, identify the permutation, orient the cube like the diagram, and execute the listed algorithm.

The diagram uses a fixed color scheme to show relative center positions. Any bottom color works when the centers retain the same relative arrangement.

The U-, U+, Z, and H side-center permutations and algorithms

Side-center algorithms

Practice order#

Repeat S and H separately until each name triggers the complete four-turn sequence.
Practice FL with emphasis on the left and right last-corner insertions.
Learn the two Singlet cases, followed by the Doublet and Triplet cases.
Drill the U-, U+, Z, and H side-center permutations in isolation.
Connect all three stages and record which LL recognitions or rotations cause pauses, then repeat those cases.
Once the complete solve is fluent, track the top and side centers during FL and gradually add multidirectional center control.