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Understanding Cube Pieces

Types of Pieces​

The Rubik's Cube consists of three types of pieces:

1. Center Pieces​

  • 6 center pieces (one per face)
  • Fixed positions relative to each other
  • Define the color of each face
  • Single colored

2. Edge Pieces​

  • 12 edge pieces
  • Two colors each
  • Connect the centers
  • Can be flipped

3. Corner Pieces​

  • 8 corner pieces
  • Three colors each
  • Can be twisted
  • Located at the intersections of three faces

Piece Properties​

Movement Patterns​

  • Centers stay fixed (only rotate in place)
  • Edges can move to any edge position
  • Corners can move to any corner position

Orientation​

  • Edge pieces can be correctly or incorrectly oriented
  • Corner pieces can be twisted in three different ways

Understanding these pieces and their properties is fundamental to solving the cube efficiently.