LBL Method
Overview
The Layer-By-Layer (LBL) method is a group of steps that solve the cube by layers. Imagine your 3x3x3 Rubik's cube as a 3-story building. If you follow this method, you would solve the cube by solving each level separately, this is, one level (or layer) at a time.
History
This method was first presented in detail by David Singmaster, in his Notes on Rubik's 'Magic Cube' in 1979, and during the 1980s, this method was rivalled by the Corners First method in popularity. Nevertheless, it had a presence in the World Rubik's Cube Championship 1982, where 4 out of 19 competitors used methods based on LBL. Later on, around the 1990s, this method regained popularity, and is now used extensively among beginners (and therefore is also called the beginner's method), due to its simplicity. (More information: Speedsolving Wiki).
Detailed tutorial
If you are willing to learn to solve the 3x3x3 Rubik's cube, using the LBL method, I recommend this tutorial by J Perm. It is only 10 minutes long, and with a bit of practice, you will be able to solve the cube in no time!
Simplified steps
|
1. Scramble your cube Scramble of the example: F2 L D2 B2 D2 B2 R' F2 D B2 F2 D F U R' B' F2 R' F |
 |
|
2. Build a cross Solve the four edges of a layer of your choice. This is usually done on the white face, but it can vary. |
 |
|
3. Complete the first layer Insert the four remaining corners of the first layer into their corresponding slots. |
 |
|
4. Complete the second layer Put the four second-layer edges in place, with the help of two simple move sequences. |
 |
|
5. Build a cross on the last layer Depending on the stage of the cross, you might have to do F R U R' U' F' somwhere between 0 and 3 times. |
 |
|
6. Solve the last-layer edges Organize the cross on the last layer so that all four edges are positioned correctly. |
 |
|
7. Position the corners correctly Organize the last-layer corners to be in their corresponding slots, regardless of their rotations until the solved state. |
 |
|
8. Solve the cube Rotate the last-layer corners so that the center color and the corner color on that face match. Congratulations! |
 |