F2L

Using LBL method, we will do the cross first, insert the four bottom corners to complete the first layer. To continuing conquer the second layer,we need to placing the middle four edges to its' corresponding slot.

It's very easy to learn and master it. But it is not the most effective way to finish the first two layer. It took too many moves to complete the first two layer. So if we can insert the corner and edges at the same time it also means we skip 1 process. Save times equivalent to faster times.

F2L is the abbreviations of First Two Layer. After done the cross, we insert 4 pairs of F2L pairs to complete the first two layer. What is F2L pairs? Edge and corner make it a pair.

Allowing me to say some stories. To me, F2L is a hide and seek game on a Cube. Some times the pairs we are looking for are hiding in different positions,front, back, top, right, left or bottom. Just imagine that the each F2L pairs are 1 couple, and the 4 slot where they need to go is theirs houses. Both of our hand is theirs guardian angels, our job is to protect them, find them back and lead them back to their house peacefully. They are so mischievous, always forget to go home. Most of the time the couples ( F2L pairs ) lost contact to each other. The worst thing is they don't know how to meet each other ( pairs up ) and return home ( insert to its' own slot ). There are few frequent scenarios occurring every times:
1) They are together ( formed a pairs already ), but not yet insert to it's slot.

2) They are separated, but both in the same top layer.

3) They are joined in the same top layer but color is flipped.

4) They are corner in top layer, but the edge in the middle layer ( slot )

5) They are cornesr in the slot, but the edges on the top layer.

6) Both of the corner and edge in it's slot.

How to separate them and join them up
without mess up our cross is the thing we need to learn. Here we go, hide the corners or the edges to forming a pairs up, avoid cube rotations as much as possible, using the empty slot wisely, maximize look ahead as much as we can. We must know the map or the route then we can drive and reach our destinations, right?

Click the below link to see the F2L images and algorithms:

F2L page 01

F2L page 02

F2L page 03

F2L page 04

F2L page 05

F2L page 06