How to solve the 2x2x3 Tower Cube

The 2x2x3 Tower Cube is a reasonably straightfoward puzzle that does not shape shift unlike its 2x2x4 cousin.

Notation

Front face of the 2x2x3 tower cube

F = Front

Back face of the 2x2x3 tower cube

B = Back

Left face of the 2x2x3 tower cube

L = Left

Right face of the 2x2x3 tower cube

R = Right

Up face of the 2x2x3 tower cube

U = Up

Down face of the 2x2x3 tower cube

D = Down

Part 1

Notation Part 1 Part 2 Part 3


Step 1 is to solve the top and bottom layers, i.e. the corner pieces. We are not worried about orientation, simply getting the ends done. First, pick the end you want to solve as your first layer, here we will solve the light grey layer first and the first three corners can be placed quite easily. The final one requires a simple algorithm to move it from the bottom right up into the correct layer.

Aim of step 1 of how to solve the 2x2x3 Tower cube

Aim

Simply place the corner below where you want to move it to and then perform the following algorithm:

Algorithm of step 1 of how to solve the 2x2x3 Tower Cube

Algorithm: R D R

This should result in two complete ends.

Part 2

Notation Part 1 Part 2 Part 3


Now we have the ends complete we need to put each corner into the correct place. There are two algorithms to do this, one will swap the front left and front right corners in the upper layer and the second will swap the diagonally opposite pieces in the front right and back left positions.

Aim of step 2 of how to solve the 2x2x3 tower cube

Aim

To swap two adjacent pieces use the following algorithm where the pieces marked X swap.

Algorithm of step 2 of how to solve the 2x2x3 tower cube

Algorithm: F U' F U F R U R U' R

To swap two diagonally adjacent pieces use the following algorithm where the pieces marked by X and the arrow swap (i.e. the front right and back left pieces).

Algorithm of step 2 of how to solve the 2x2x3 tower cube

Algorithm: R U2 F U R U2 F U' R U2 F

This needs to be repeated for the other end as well!

Part 3

Notation Part 1 Part 2 Part 3


The final step is to solve the edge pieces in the middle layer.

Aim of step 3 of how to solve the 2x2x3 tower cube

Aim

Hopefully at least one edge piece is already correct. If not perform the following algorithm to create at least one correct piece:

R U2 D2 L

You will then either have 2 pieces correct or just the one piece correct. You will need to decide which of the following algorithms to use. The first will swap the front right and back right edge pieces, the second will swap the front left and back right edge pieces and the final one will cycle the three incorrect edges with the correct edge placed in the back left.

To swap the front right and back right pieces as marked by Xs:

Algorithm of step 3 of how to solve the 2x2x3 tower cube

Algorithm: R U2 R U2 R U2

To swap the front left and back right pieces as marked by Xs:

Algorithm of step 3 of how to solve the 2x2x3 tower cube

Algorithm: F R U2 R U2 R U2 F

With the correct piece in the back left cycle a, b and c as follows:

Algorithm of step 3 of how to solve the 2x2x3 tower cube

Algorithm: R U D' F U' D

Well done!

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