Hello, welcome to the 7x7 speedcubing section of this site! In the section you will learn how to solve the 7x7 with reasonable speed, and with practice/persistance, perhaps lightning speed!

Introduction:

Before we get started i'd like to mention that you will need to able to solve a 3x3 (If you don't, head over to the "3x3 Speedcubing" section). Also check out the "Notation" section, due to the fact that their are "slice moves" involved, which are essential in big-cube solving. If you don't have a 7x7 and would like to purchase one, the only place that sells the real cubes (Not virtual) is www.v-cubes.com

NOTE: I'm assuming you know the basic fundamentals of cubes in general and your using the white V-Cube 7x7 colour scheme, if your using the black V-Cube 7x7 it's just a white face instead of black face.

The most common method of solving a 7x7 is "reduction" which involves reducing the 7x7 cube into a bigger 3x3. This is done by the following steps:

1. Centers - Making 5x5 center blocks on each side whilst keeping a constant colour scheme.
2. Edges - Forming "Big edges" by slicing the cube horizontally and replacing in the U/D faces.
3. 3x3 Stage - Solving the reduced cube like a 3x3.

Now that you know the method that i will be explaining, i will put forward a video and written tutorial.

Step 1: Centers

In this beginning step of solving the 7x7 you will be solving the inner 5x5 blocks of the 7x7. This is known as the centers and the first four centers are done by creating the inner 3x3 blocks and then placing two 1x3 blocks on opposite sides of the 3x3 blocks, then lastly placing two 1x5 bars next too the big block just created. The last two centers are solved intuitively by creating a 1x5 central bar on either side, then placing another 1x5 bar next to that central bar, then next you put another 1x5 bar on the side, then yet another bar next to the bar which is next to the central bar (I know it sounds confusing but it's explained easy in the video). Too finish off the centers it's basically doing what you've done so far, but a little harder since you have less room to work with.



Step 2: Edges

The second step to solving a 7x7 cube is the edges. This consists of slicing the centers horizontally or vertically to match up five identical coloured edges to form a big edge. There are a total of 60 edges so you have to form 12 big edges. The method of edge solving which i will be teaching you is a variation of the "Big Cubes Method".

This consists of finding all five identially coloured edges and forming the one big edge by slicing horizontally in the 'E' ring, then placing the big edge in the 'U' or 'D' face and replacing it with a trash edge (Not solved edge). You do this eight times, therefore you're making eight big edges. This is because their is two stages in the edges method. The first step is making the eight big edges and putting four big edges in the 'U' face and four big edges in the 'D' face. The second step is solving the middle four big edges by solving the inner three pieces out of the whole five pieces, this is done the same way as you would on a 5x5. This reduces the last four 7x7 edges into 5x5 edges. Then you solve the last four edges like you would on a 5x5. This means you can encounter "Edge Parity", which will be explained in the video.

NOTE: It may all sound very complicated but it's hard to explain literally over the internet. So refer to the video for easy understanding.



Step 3: 3x3 Stage

This is the last step for solving the 7x7. The cube should now look like a scrambled 3x3. At the beginning you were notified that you should be able to solve a 3x3 before attempting the 7x7, this is because you have to solve the reduced 7x7 like a 3x3. If you don't know how this is done; the big edges of five on the 7x7 represent edges on a 3x3, the 5x5 center blocks on a 7x7 represent center pieces on a 3x3, and the corners on a 7x7 represent corners on a 3x3. I hope you've had fun completing your 7x7 puzzle.

After Notes:

Hopefully you can solve the 7x7 cube now! If so i encourage you to time yourself (For timers check out our "Links" section). This method, along with practice and perisitance, can get you down to times around 5-6 minute! If your still not feeling the method re-watch the videos and something that seemed hard at first might be easier the second time around. You can also google "7x7 Cube Methods" if your still out of luck. If this tutorial assisted you in solving the puzzle, please e-mail us as it would be greatly appreciated.

For more information on the 7x7 cube visit the solutions menu at www.v-cubes.com