All events · Pyraminx · Practise · Algorithms
Pyra · Beginner
Tips, then a short layer method with one three-cycle algorithm. A first solve, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Move sequences on this page were checked in a cube simulator (cubing.js): they are legal and, where the text says so, do what it claims. Strategy advice is guidance, not machine-checked.
The puzzle
The Pyraminx is a tetrahedron. It has four corner pieces that turn on their own (the tips), four axis pieces that turn with the layers, and six edges. Lowercase moves (u, l, r, b) turn only a tip. Uppercase moves (U, L, R, B) turn the tip and the layer under it.
u l r b — tip turns onlyU L R B — layer turns1. Solve the tips last
The tips can be turned at any time and do not affect anything else, so solve them last with the lowercase moves. Concentrate on the other pieces first.
2. First three edges
Choose a face and bring three edges into place around the axis pieces. Do this intuitively: turn a layer to carry an edge up, then turn another layer to put it in place.
3. The last three edges
If the last three edges are in the wrong places, three of them can be cycled by this four-move sequence without moving any other edge or axis piece. Repeat it, from the right side, until they are right.
U L U' L' — cycles three edges, leaves the axis pieces and tips alone