How to Solve a QiYi Cube: Complete Beginner to Advanced Guide

Introduction

The QiYi cube is one of the most popular and trusted speedcube brands in the world, known for delivering high-performance cubes at affordable prices. If you've purchased a QiYi rubik's cube or are looking to solve a QiYi cube for the first time, this exhaustive guide will walk you through every size from the tiny 2x2 all the way up to the challenging 9x9. Whether you're a complete beginner or an advanced cuber, this article covers everything you need to master how to solve qiyi cube puzzles efficiently and effectively.

QiYi cubes are renowned for their distinctive crunchy yet soft feeling, excellent corner cutting, and impressive build quality. This guide covers not only how to solve a QiYi rubik's cube but also comprehensive strategies for the entire lineup of bigger cubes. Let's dive into the world of speedcubing and unlock your full potential.

Essential Basics Before You Start

Understanding Cube Notation

Before solving any cube, you must understand how to read algorithms and moves. Cube notation uses letters to represent each face of the cube:

What You'll Need

1. A QiYi cube in good condition
2. Cube lube (optional but recommended for smooth turning)
3. A timer (for speed practice)
4. Practice space and patience
5. Video tutorials for visual reference

The 2x2 QiYi Cube: Step-by-Step Solution

The 2x2 cube is the perfect starting point for beginners learning about cubing. It only has two layers and significantly fewer pieces than a 3x3, making it an ideal introduction before tackling larger puzzles.

Understanding the 2x2 Structure

The 2x2 cube consists of only 8 corner pieces with no edge or center pieces. This means there are 3,674,160 possible permutations compared to the 43 quintillion permutations of a 3x3 cube.

Step 1: Solve the First Layer

1. Choose a color (typically white) and place it facing down
2. Find the first corner piece with white on it (for example, white-red-blue)
3. Position this piece in the top-right position above where it needs to go
4. Hold the cube with the matching center to the left and apply the R' D' R algorithm (the elevator)
5. If white is facing upward after one rotation, the corner is solved
6. If white is still facing forward or to the right, repeat R' D' R D until it faces up
7. Rotate the top layer (U or U') to move the next corner into position
8. Repeat for all four bottom corners until the entire first layer is complete

This process is intuitive and forms the foundation for solving the entire cube.[4][5]

Step 2: Permute the Top Layer Corners

1. After the first layer is complete, flip the cube so the solved layer is on the bottom
2. Rotate the top layer to find a corner that matches the pieces below it (look for a corner where at least one color aligns with the layer beneath)
3. If no corners match, perform the Niklas Algorithm once: R U' L' U R' U' L U
4. Once you have exactly one corner matching, hold that corner in the front-top-right position
5. Repeat the Niklas Algorithm: R U' L' U R' U' L U until all four corners are positioned above their matches

Step 3: Orient the Top Layer

1. Check the orientation of each corner—you need yellow (or your chosen top color) facing up on all four
2. If the corner in the front-right position doesn't have yellow on top, apply R U R' U' repeatedly until it does
3. Rotate only the bottom layer (D or D') to position the next unsolved corner in the front-right position
4. Repeat the R U R' U' algorithm for each corner
5. Important: The middle layers may appear scrambled during this process, but they will align once all corners are oriented

Once all top corners show the same color facing up and the middle layer aligns properly, your 2x2 cube is completely solved![4][5]

Video Reference for 2x2

The 3x3 QiYi Cube: The Classic Challenge

The 3x3 cube is the most iconic puzzle and the standard for speedcubing competitions. Most beginners start here, and it's the foundation for understanding all larger cubes.

Method Overview: Layer-by-Layer (Beginner) vs. CFOP (Advanced)

There are two main approaches:

• •Beginner's Layer-by-Layer Method: Easier to learn but slower
• •CFOP Method (Fridrich): Industry standard for speedcubers

Beginner's Layer-by-Layer Method: 6 Steps

##

Step 1: Complete the White Cross

1. Place the white center on the bottom
2. Find the four white edge pieces (pieces with two colors including white)
3. Move each white edge to the top layer
4. Align the non-white color of each edge with its matching center color
5. Rotate the front face to move the white edge to the bottom
6. Result: A white cross with matching colors on adjacent sides

##

Step 2: Complete First Layer Corners

1. Find a white corner piece in the top layer
2. Position it above the spot where it needs to go
3. Apply the appropriate algorithm based on which direction the white sticker faces:
4. •White on right: R U R' U'
5. •White on front: F' U' F
6. Repeat for all four corners
7. The entire first layer is now complete

##

Step 3: Complete Second Layer

1. Find a non-yellow edge in the top layer
2. Match one color with a center below
3. If the edge needs to go right: U R U' R' U' F' U F
4. If the edge needs to go left: U' L' U L U F U' F'
5. Repeat for all remaining edges
6. The first two layers are now complete

##

Step 4: Create Yellow Cross

1. Look at the top layer—you'll see a dot, L-shape, or line
2. Hold accordingly and apply: F R U R' U' F'
3. Repeat until you have a yellow cross (not matching side colors yet)

##

Step 5: Position Yellow Edges

1. Check how many edges have correct colors on the sides
2. Rotate the top until at least one edge matches
3. Use R U R' U R U2 R' to cycle misaligned edges
4. Repeat until all edges are correct

##

Step 6: Orient Yellow Corners

1. Position any correctly-placed yellow corner to the front-right-top
2. Use R U R' U' R U R' U' (sexy move) repeatedly until that corner is correct
3. Rotate only the top to position the next unsolved corner to front-right-top
4. Repeat until all corners are oriented

Congratulations! Your 3x3 cube is solved.[6][7][8]

The CFOP (Speedcubing) Method

For those who want to solve faster, the CFOP method breaks the solve into four stages:

1. Cross: Solve the white cross on the bottom with aligned colors

2. F2L (First Two Layers): Pair each white corner with its adjacent edge and insert both simultaneously (requires 4 F2L pairs)

3. OLL (Orientation of Last Layer): Orient all yellow pieces so they face up (57 possible algorithms, or use 2-look OLL with just 3-4 simpler algorithms)

4. PLL (Permutation of Last Layer): Move all yellow pieces to their correct positions (21 possible algorithms, or use 2-look PLL with simpler sets)

The CFOP method can reduce solve times from several minutes to under 10 seconds with practice.[9][10]

Video Reference for 3x3

The 4x4 QiYi Cube: Introduction to Big Cubes

The 4x4 cube is where bigger cubes begin. It introduces new challenges like centers and parity errors that don't exist on 3x3 cubes.

Key Differences from 3x3

• •No fixed center pieces (except on odd-layered cubes)
• •Each edge is made of two pieces instead of one
• •Potential for parity errors requiring special algorithms
• •Uses the Reduction Method to transform it into a 3x3

Step 1: Solve All Centers

White Center (bottom):

1. Find two white center pieces
2. Turn outer layers to maneuver them together into a "bar"
3. Turn the inner horizontal layers to join them into a 2x2 white center
4. Repeat to create a second white bar and join both bars

Yellow Center (top):

1. Hold white at bottom, yellow at top
2. Repeat the bar-joining process for yellow
3. Use Rw U2 x Rw U2 Rw U2 Rw' U2 Lw U2 Rw' U2 Rw U2 Rw' U2 Rw' if you encounter the edge parity problem

Green and Orange Centers:

1. Position green at the front, orange at the back
2. Use intuitive turns to build bars and join them
3. Use special algorithms to avoid disturbing already-solved centers

Red and Blue Centers:

1. Repeat the same process
2. The cube now has all six centers solved like a 3x3

Step 2: Pair All Edges

Each edge needs two matching pieces combined into one:

1. Find two matching edge pieces (same two colors)
2. Move them into the front-left and front-right positions
3. Slice the top or bottom layer to bring them together
4. Move the paired edge to the top layer to store it
5. Bring an unpaired edge into the front-right position
6. Undo the slice to restore the centers
7. Continue until all 12 edges are paired

If you encounter a flipped edge at the end, use r' U2 x r' U2 r' U2 r U2 l U2 r' U2 r U2 r' U2 r' to fix it.[11][12]

Step 3: Solve Like a 3x3

Once centers and edges are complete, the 4x4 behaves exactly like a 3x3 cube. Use any method you know to complete the solve. You may encounter parity errors:

• •OLL Parity: An edge appears flipped when it shouldn't be
• •PLL Parity: Two pieces need to swap, which is impossible on a 3x3

Use the standard OLL parity algorithm: r2 B2 U2 l U2 r' U2 r U2 F2 r F2 l' B2 r2[11][13]

The 5x5 QiYi Cube: The Professor's Puzzle

The 5x5 cube follows the same principle as the 4x4—solve centers, pair edges, solve like 3x3—but with more layers and complexity.

Step 1: Solve Centers

The 5x5 has fixed center pieces (one stationary center on each face) plus 24 other center pieces:

1. Build 1x3 bars using the fixed center as a reference
2. Solve one complete center (white)
3. Solve the opposite center (yellow)
4. Build and solve centers on all remaining faces
5. Use intuitive techniques and special algorithms like R U R' F R' F' R for edge flipping

Step 2: Pair Edges

Unlike the 4x4 with 2-piece edges, the 5x5 has 3-piece edges:

1. Use the slice, store, and replace method
2. Bring three edge pieces together in the middle layer
3. Slice to pair all three
4. Store the complete edge in the top/bottom layer
5. Undo the slices to restore centers
6. For the last few edges, use the edge flipping algorithm: R U R' F R' F' R

If edge parity occurs, use Rw U2 x Rw U2 Rw U2 Rw' U2 Lw U2 3Rw' U2 Rw U2 Rw' U2 Rw'[14][15]

Step 3: Solve Like a 3x3

The 5x5 now reduces to a 3x3 and can be solved using CFOP or any other method.[14]

The 6x6 QiYi Cube: When It Gets Serious

The 6x6 cube is the first of the even-layered big cubes with no fixed centers, meaning you must carefully manage center alignment.

Key Challenges

• •No fixed center pieces – use corner pieces as references for correct orientation
• •Four edge pieces per edge (instead of 3 on 5x5)
• •OLL Parity – a flipped edge that's impossible on odd cubes
• •PLL Parity – two edges or corners swapped incorrectly
• •Solving takes significantly longer due to complexity

Step 1: Solve Centers

Since there's no fixed center piece:

1. Remember the correct color scheme or use corner pieces as guides
2. Build 1x4 bars of center pieces
3. Join bars to form complete centers one by one
4. Solve all six centers carefully to maintain the correct orientation

Step 2: Pair Edges

With four pieces per edge:

1. Bring four matching edge pieces together in the middle layer
2. Slice and join them into a complete edge
3. Use the slice, store, and replace method
4. Be cautious not to mess up already-solved edges

Step 3: Handle Parity

The 6x6 is prone to OLL parity (flipped edges):

OLL Parity Algorithm: 3Rw U2 x 3Rw U2 3Rw U2 3Rw' U2 3Lw U2 3Rw' U2 3Rw U2 3Rw' U2 3Rw'

PLL Parity Algorithm: 3Rw2 F2 U2 3Rw2 R2 U2 F2 3Rw2[16][17]

Step 4: Solve Like 3x3

Once all centers are solved and edges are paired (with any parity issues resolved), solve the cube using the CFOP method or your preferred technique.[16]

Video Reference for 6x6

The 7x7 QiYi Cube: Mastering Big Cubes

The 7x7 cube has fixed center pieces, making it easier to align than the 6x6, but still significantly more complex than smaller cubes.

Advantages Over 6x6

• •Fixed center piece provides an alignment reference
• •No OLL parity (only edge parity)
• •Clearer solving path for center construction

Step 1: Solve Centers

With a fixed center piece:

1. Use the middle centerpiece as your reference
2. Build 1x5 bars around it
3. Join bars to complete each center
4. Repeat for all six faces

Step 2: Pair Edges

With five pieces per edge:

1. Group five matching edge pieces in the middle layer
2. Slice them together
3. Store in top/bottom layers
4. Replace with new unpaired pieces

Step 3: Handle Edge Parity

The 7x7 sometimes has edge parity (one edge flipped):

Use the edge parity algorithm adapted for 7x7 sized moves[16]

Step 4: Solve Like 3x3

Complete the puzzle using standard 3x3 methods.[16]

The 8x8 QiYi Cube: Even Layer Complexity

The 8x8 cube returns to the even-layer structure with no fixed centers, requiring careful center management and attention to all parity types.

Solving Strategy

1. Solve Centers: Build 4x4 center sections using corner pieces as references for orientation
1. Pair Edges: With 8 layers, each edge has four pieces to pair. Use the intuitive slice and store method repeatedly
1. Handle Parity:
2. •OLL Parity occurs when an edge appears flipped
3. •PLL Parity occurs when pieces appear to need illegal swaps
4. •Use generalized parity algorithms adapted for 8x8[18]
1. Solve Like 3x3: Once all centers and edges are complete, apply 3x3 solving techniques

The 8x8 typically requires 1.5-3 hours for beginners but experienced cubers can solve it in 10-15 minutes.[19][20]

Video Reference for 8x8

The 9x9 QiYi Cube: The Ultimate Challenge

The 9x9 cube is the most complex of commonly-available cubes, with 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 possible permutations.

9x9 Solving Process Overview

The 9x9 follows the same general pattern but with much more complexity:

1. Solve Centers: Build larger center sections, with multiple center bars to join. The 9x9 has more flexibility in center-solving order.
1. Solve Edges in Stages:
2. •Solve the first 8 edges (those with white and yellow stickers)
3. •Solve the last 4 middle edges using specialized techniques
4. •The layering strategy prevents interference between solved and unsolved sections
1. Use Contouring:
2. •Build a 3x3 section in one center area
3. •Expand to 5x5
4. •Leave the outer ring unsolved until all pieces are placed
5. •This prevents jamming and confusion
1. Advanced Edge Techniques:
2. •The R U R' algorithm solves matching bars
3. •Commutators and rotations efficiently place pieces without disturbance
4. •Multiple passes ensure all pieces are correctly positioned
1. Final 3x3 Stage: After centers and edges are complete, solve the cube like a standard 3x3, watching for parity issues[21]

The 9x9 is recommended only for experienced cubers and typically requires 2-4 hours to complete.[21]

Video Reference for 9x9

Visual Size Comparison

Essential Techniques and Tips for All QiYi Cubes

Finger Tricks: The Foundation of Speed

Finger tricks are the most critical element of speedcubing after learning algorithms. They involve manipulating the cube using only your fingers rather than your entire hand.

Video Resource

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Neglecting Practice: Consistent practice is more important than cube quality for beginners
2. Memorizing Without Understanding: Learn the mechanics behind algorithms, not just sequences
3. Choosing Wrong Cube: Don't buy an advanced flagship cube when starting—pick a beginner-friendly QiYi model
4. Developing Bad Habits: Poor finger positioning early creates speed barriers later
5. Giving Up on Algorithm Learning: OLL and PLL seem overwhelming but are essential for sub-20 times
6. Not Using Lookahead: Looking for next pieces while solving current ones dramatically improves speed[24][25]

Speed Improvement Progression

Stage 1: Beginners (>60 seconds)

• •Focus on smooth, deliberate turning
• •Learn basic finger tricks
• •Choose a comfortable hand position
• •Practice layer-by-layer method until it feels natural

Stage 2: Intermediate (15-30 seconds)

• •Learn CFOP method thoroughly
• •Master intuitive F2L (first two layers)
• •Learn 2-look OLL and 2-look PLL
• •Develop color neutrality

Stage 3: Advanced (<15 seconds)

• •Learn full OLL (57 algorithms)
• •Learn full PLL (21 algorithms)
• •Perfect finger tricks and lookahead
• •Analyze solves and optimize moves[26]

Best QiYi Cubes for Each Level

The Reduction Method: Universal Strategy for 4x4+

All cubes from 4x4 onward use the Reduction Method, which transforms bigger cubes into 3x3 puzzles:

1. Solve Centers – Create fixed 2x2, 3x3, or larger center blocks
2. Pair Edges – Group and match all edge pieces
3. Solve Like 3x3 – Apply standard 3x3 techniques to finish

This method is infinitely scalable—the same principles apply whether you're solving a 4x4 or a 20x20 cube.[30]

Parity: The Big Cube Challenge

Parity errors only occur on even-layered cubes (4x4, 6x6, 8x8) and represent states impossible on a 3x3 cube.

Types of Parity

1. Edge Parity (OLL Parity): One or more edges appear flipped when they shouldn't be
1. PLL Parity: Two pieces appear to need swapping, which shouldn't be possible
1. Edge Parity (Odd Cubes): 5x5, 7x7, 9x9 can rarely have single edge flips requiring special algorithms

Generalized Parity Functions

For advanced cubers, generalized parity algorithms work on any cube size:

• •OLL Parity: aRw U2 x aRw U2 aRw U2 aRw' U2 aLw U2 aRw' U2 aRw U2 aRw' U2 aRw'
• •PLL Parity: aRw2 F2 U2 aRw2 R2 U2 F2 aRw2

Where a represents how many layers to turn. Learning these patterns eliminates the need to memorize separate algorithms for each cube size.[18]

Complete Solving Summary Table

Additional Resources and Video Tutorials

For visual learners, these video resources provide comprehensive tutorials:

Conclusion: Your QiYi Cubing Journey

Whether you're learning to solve a QiYi rubik's cube for the first time or pushing toward sub-10-second solves, the principles remain consistent: practice deliberately, understand the mechanics, develop efficient techniques, and be patient with yourself.

QiYi's range of cubes ensures that every cuber—from absolute beginners tackling their first 2x2 QiYi cube to advanced competitors racing through 9x9 QiYi cubes—has access to high-quality, reliable puzzles. The reduction method is beautifully scalable, meaning once you master the fundamentals on a 3x3, you possess the theoretical knowledge to solve any cube size.

Start with this guide's basic methods, practice consistently, invest time in understanding algorithms rather than just memorizing them, and gradually incorporate finger tricks into your solving style. The cubing community is welcoming and supportive—don't hesitate to seek help from online forums and YouTube tutorials specific to your cube size and skill level.

The path from completely stumped beginner to speedcuber solving in under a minute is absolutely achievable. Every expert cuber started exactly where you are now. With dedication and the comprehensive knowledge contained in this exhaustive guide on how to solve qiyi cube puzzles, you'll be amazed at how quickly you progress.

Happy cubing! 🎲