5BLD Tutorial

Introduction

5x5 Blindfolded (5BLD) builds on the concepts of 4BLD . You’ll now need to memorize and solve:

  • Corners (Old Pochmann)
  • Wings (r2 method)
  • Midges (middle edges)
  • +-centers (oblique centers)
  • X-centers (central centers)

    • Memo is longer, but execution is very algorithm-light if you use the U2/R2 system. Total: ~30 letter pairs.

    Execution Order

  • Memo: Corners → Wings → Midges → +-Centers → X-Centers
  • Execution: X-Centers → +-Centers → Midges → Wings → Corners

    • Swapping Algorithms

  • Corner: U2 R U R’ U’ (Rw2 F2 U2 r2 U2 F2 Rw2) U R U’ R’ U2
  • Wing: r' U2 r U2 r' U2 x r U2 r U2 r U2 r2 U2 x' r' U2
  • Midge: D' L2 D m2 D' L2 D
  • +-Center: U2
  • X-Center: U2

    • Parity Rules

    Important: Midges and corners are linked for parity. All other types are independent.

  • Solve midges
  • If odd, run midge parity
  • Solve corners
  • If needed, run safe corner parity to fix wings

    • U2 +-Center Setup Moves

  • A: m [swap for I] U2 m' U2
  • B: U2
  • C: m' [swap for Q] U2 m U2
  • D: buffer
  • E: y' u' m u m' (U2) m u' m' u y
  • F: r' e r (U2) r' e' r
  • G: y' d m' d m (U2) m' d' m d' y
  • H: r e' r' (U2) r e r'
  • I: y' m u m' (U2) m u' m' y
  • J: e' r' e r (U2) r' e' r e
  • K: y' m' d m (U2) m' d' m y
  • L: r e2 r' (U2) r e2 r'
  • M: y' u m u m' (U2) m u' m' u' y
  • N: r' e' r (U2) r' e r
  • O: y' d' m' d m (U2) m' d' m d y
  • P: r e r' (U2) r e' r'
  • Q: y' m u' m' (U2) m u m' y
  • R: r' e2 r (U2) r' e2 r
  • S: y' m' d' m (U2) m' d m y
  • T: e r e' r' (U2) r e r' e'
  • U: D [swap for V] D'
  • V: y' m u2 m' (U2) m u2 m' y
  • W: D' [swap for V] D
  • X: D2 [swap for V] D2

    • Recommended Setup

  • Use Speffz lettering for all targets
  • Pair letters for images/memo chains
  • Use flashcards for setups if needed

    • Tips

  • Midges can be solved like a middle slice using slice turns (m2)
  • Corner parity can safely fix wings if handled last
  • Practice wing and midge execution until they’re muscle memory