Rubik's Cube: fundamental techniques

The fundamental techniques listed below provide the basic skillset that is needed to solve all steps of the Heise method. They provide strategies for both joining pieces together and preserving parts of the cube that are already solved.

Align then join

The essential technique for joining two pieces (or two blocks of pieces) together.

Treat blocks as single units

Allows the techniques for individual pieces to also work on groups (blocks) of pieces.

Move it out of the way

Helps the solver to solve new parts of the cube without destroying existing parts.

Destroy and restore

Provides a way to deal with situations where there is no other option but to destroy something that you have already solved.

Conjugates

These provide a way to "bend" cube space to match familiar problems.

Commutators

Used in confined spaces where there is a need to move just a few select pieces and leave everything else intact.