Step 3: Last Triple

Solve the last triple of the first two layers. Two approaches are provided, one is intuitive and the other is algorithmic. The intuitive version is great for new users who want to start solving immediately. Then once comfortable with the intuitive version, the algorithmic version provides a lower move count and higher TPS due to the speed optimal solutions.

The last triple can also be solved completely intuitively by following a process similar to 3x3 F2L corner and edge pairing. The corner can be paired with a triangle then inserted.

Before starting, try using any combination of F' U F, F' U' F, BR U BR', and BR U' BR'. Notice that it works just like the last slot on 3x3. Each of them move around the bottom triple and three U layer triples. The big U layer center stays in place. These simple motions are used to solve the bottom triple.

Start by finding the corner that belongs on the bottom layer. Check where its right layer color sticker is located. Then locate a triangle that is of the right layer color. You want the triangle to be in the position where a single R or R' turn will correctly pair the corner with the triangle. Once the corner and triangle are in their positions to be paired, use the following process to solve the two pieces:

1. Turn the R layer to pair the corner with the triangle. In the image, R' was used.

2. Move the pair to the correct side of the group of three B center pieces that are now on the U layer. Use simple separation moves to move the pair - F' U F, F' U' F, BR U BR', or BR U' BR'. In the below applet, F' U F is used.

3. Move the pair and center group over to the R layer and solve. The bottom layer triangle will be solved next.

If the DR corner is already paired with a triangle before starting, solve the pair correctly in the F2L using one of the separation moves.

If a right side triangle isn't in pairing position at the start of the step, position a triangle using F' U F, F' U' F, BR U BR', or BR U' BR'. To keep the corner on the upper layer and in its current orientation, if the corner is at the upper front, use F' U F, F' U' F, BR U BR' U', or U BR U' BR'. If the corner is at the upper back right, use U' F' U F, F' U' F U, BR U BR', or BR U' BR'.

To solve the bottom layer triangle, use the following process:

1. Locate the bottom layer triangle that is currently on the upper layer.

2. Turn the right side layer to move the solved first two layer pieces out of the way.

3. Use the same moves as before to place the bottom layer triangle. These moves are F' U F, F' U' F, BR U BR', or BR U' BR'.

4. Reposition and solve the right side pieces.

All six possibilities are provided below. These shouldn't be memorized and you only need to understand two of them, for example the first two, because for the others you can turn the upper layer to create one of those two. However, it is useful to know how to solve each.

Solving the two triangles can be a merged process. Solving the bottom layer triangle always starts with an R or R' move in the basic version described above. This provides the opportunity to solve the bottom layer triangle just before the end of the right side layer triangle solving step.

In the example applet below, the corner is attached to the right side triangle, then grouped with the BR layer center pieces. Instead of aligning this group of pieces to the right side layer and solving, the bottom layer triangle is solved first.

The first part of solving the last triple is to place the corner. This is a simple insert using either F' U F or BR U' BR'. Check the orientation of the corner then insert using the appropriate algorithm. If the corner is in its correct location but misoriented, use either of the two algorithms to bring it to the upper layer, then correctly solve the corner.

Next, the bottom triangle will be solved. This involves using three simple algorithms that move the corner that was just solved out of the way, places the triangle, then restores the corner. Do a slight horizontal rotation to have the right side layer in front and the algorithms can be executed similar to F U R U' R' F', F R U R' U' F', and F r U R' U' R r' F'.

The last step to solving the triple is to place a right side triangle above the corner. There are three to choose from so they will be easy to spot. Use the correct algorithm depending on if the triangle is to the left or right of an edge on the upper layer.

Once accustomed to the starter steps, the first two parts of solving the triple can be combined. The corner and bottom triangle can be simultaneously solved using one of 23 algorithms. Go to the document below for the complete algorithm list.

FTO Algorithm List

The most advanced version of solving the triple is to solve the three pieces all at once. The full set can be learned from the following algorithm document.

Last Triple Algorithm List

To reduce the number of cases for the last triple, it can be ensured that the corner isn't placed in its slot before arriving at the step. At the end of solving the centers, solve the centers in a slightly different way to keep the last triple corner on the upper layer. If the corner is attached to the end of the half center and would be placed in slot with the R U' R' or R U R' ending, the corner can be moved out of the way. Below are the two main alternate endings to prevent the corner from being placed in its slot.