The second step of the CFOP method is known as F2L, where you complete the first two layers of the puzzle simultaneously. This means that instead of solving the corners separately before the middle layer, you can save so much time by completing these two stages all at once. There are 41 F2L cases, but luckily, it’s mostly intuitive and doesn’t require any memorised algorithms to get started.

Although there are 41 F2L cases, any F2L pair can always be solved intuitively, with intuitive F2L. This approach does make the process a lot easier, while giving you a great understanding of how F2L works. Since the first two layers are solved intuitively, there are loads of good possible solutions to choose from, with some requiring fewer moves than others. Once you’ve learnt intuitive F2L and practiced a lot, you’ll soon feel ready to start learning alternative solutions for the tougher cases. This can improve your efficiency so much that you’ll eventually be able to solve any F2L pair in 8 move or less. There are even ways to solve more than one pair at the same time!

Here is my YouTube video on intuitive F2L: