OCLL Prediction

During the last pair there needs to be a focus. Positions to track while solving the pair. The last four corners can be in many positions and orientations at each turn of solving the last pair. So where do we look to start tracking? It may be good to start by gaining an intuitive sense of what is going to happen to the corners during the last 2-3 moves of the last pair. Below is a link to a document that shows the orientation case that will be produced after finishing the most common last pair inserts. This orientation sticker targeting technique can be used for tracking and identifying any set of stickers (L/R, F/B, or U) and the document is developed to be neutral for that. So this can be used with Straughan, ATCRM, NMCMLL, U sticker + pattern, and Hyperorientations.

View OCLL Prediction Document

The pair inserts included are from specific AUF angles. In solves, the pairs will be created from various AUFs. So, depending on the AUF, other sticker targets can be watched. Or, tracking will be done at a different point. Taking the R' U2 R insert as an example, only the URF and UBR corners allow for knowing the targeted sticker orientation. ULB and DRB have only one visible sticker. The options are to watch the corners a move or two early when building the pair or to AUF and use the R' U R insert instead.

This orientation sticker targeting is based on the corners that have the most visibility at those points of solving the last pair. There are certain realizations that can further help make it natural to predict the orientation. Such as knowing that the UBR corner doesn't move during R U R', R U' R', or R U2 R'. Similarly, the UFR corner doesn't move during R' U' R, R' U R, or R' U2 R. Or knowing the simple ways in which the corners move during common combinations. For example, after R U2 R' the UBR corner stays in place and the UFL and UFR corners simply swap positions. An additional thing to consider may be the various ways in which the final pair can be solved. Some solutions provide more corner tracking opportunities than others. Such as M2 U M' r U r' versus R U' R' U R U R'. If a solution allows for easier corner tracking and is as fast as the solutions that don't, it may be better to use the tracking-friendly one.

It may be simpler to start by only tracking the two most visible corners and knowing the few possible orientations that they will lead to. The document mentions which two positions are the easiest to see, or primary, and the third position which is secondary. The secondary position can be checked during the final couple of turns to reveal the exact orientation case.

These solutions aren't exactly intended to be memorized and recalled, but can be learned that way if the user desired. The system is more like EOLR where you can learn it intuitively. Looking at the solutions, it is easy quickly gain an intuitive sense of what orientation case is produced after the final moves of the second block last pair. Someone with good lookahead may be good at tracking corners at a much earlier point. It is likely best to eventually develop the ability to globally track the corners and not rely on always starting to track during the final three turns of the last pair. Starting to watch from any convenient point is the long term goal. The document above can then serve as a starting point that helps your tracking ability from a few moves out.