Rubik's Cube Solve Speed Guide: What Lian Yunzhi's Sub-4.5 Record Means for the Sport
By Maya Lin-Takahashi
Most novices begin their speedcubing journey with a standard 3x3 puzzle tutorial based on the classic layer-by-layer method. That entry-level system solves the white face, positions the middle edges using simple eight-move sequences, and slowly re-orients the final layer using brute repetition. While intuitive, it demands 100 to 120 individual turns per completion, capping speed around 45 to 60 seconds for intermediate hobbyists.
Lian’s world record represents the apex of the CFOP method (Cross, First Two Layers, Orient Last Layer, Permute Last Layer), popularized by Jessica Fridrich. Instead of building the puzzle layer after layer, CFOP solves the base cross and simultaneously pairs corners with their matching edges, dropping total move count down to roughly 50 to 58 moves.
The speed jump hinges entirely on two final phases: OLL and PLL algorithms. The competitor memorizes 57 distinct OLL patterns to flip every top-layer yellow sticker upward in a single step, immediately followed by 21 PLL algorithms to cycle the edge and corner pieces into place. Lian executes these high-order permutation sets with zero lookahead latency, beginning the next algorithmic trigger while her fingers are still cycling the final rotations of the previous pair.
Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.
