Now that we have one side a solid color, in my example that is white, we now know that our bottom color is now yellow and the surrounding colors are orange, blue, red, and green. IF your color scheme is different than a standard Rubik’s Cube, then substitute your own colors in.
This next step is quite easy, and I will include the algorithms needed to complete it.
So as you know, we are solving this cube layer by layer starting with white and working our way down. This means that our next step is to fill in the middle layer’s edge pieces. (ie. the green/orange, green/red, blue/red, and blue/orange pieces) In order to do this, we must first find one of these edges, they will either be on the bottom layer or (in)correctly placed in the middle layer.
First thing is turn your cube upside down so that your solved side is now your down face. Once you do this, find one of these edge pieces mentioned above.
In the picture the blue/orange piece is edge piece that will be placed in the middle layer now. We see that it needs to move to the right to be put into its place, so we use this algorithm: URU’R'U’F'UF. If done correctly, the piece should now look like this:
If your piece is lined up to where it needs to move to the left to be placed in it’s proper position it’ll look like this:
Again notice how the green/red piece is lined up properly, the green with the green. Now to get this piece where is needs to go, use the algorithm U’F'UFURU’R’. If done properly it should now be in the middle layer with the red next to the red and the green next to the green.
Now if one or more of the edges are placed in the wrong place on the middle layer or are placed upside down in the middle layer then simply do either of the previously mentioned algorithms to switch the piece with another one, and then use the proper one to place it back in correctly.
Once you have done this to all four edges, you have now completed the second layer, meaning you have 2/3 of the cube solved.
Algorithms Needed for Second Layer
(if needs to move right) URU’R'U’F'UF
(if needs to move left) U’F'UFURU’R’
