Megaminx
Solution
by Kurt Endl.

Fast Forward to:
Section 1: The Objectives
Section 2: The Elementary Operations
Section 3: Construction of the North Pole Cap
Section 4: Setting the Northern Equatorial Edges
Section 5: Setting the Northern Equatorial Corners
Section 6: Setting the Middle Equatorial Edges
Section 7: Setting the Southern Equatorial Edges
Section 8: Setting the South Pole Edges (current)
Section 9: Placing the Southern Equatorial Corners
Section 10: Placement of the South Pole Corners
Section 11: Orientation of the Southern Equatorial and South Pole Corners

8. Setting the South Pole edges
We now set the South Pole edges, and we do this by the same operations as we have used for the Southern equatorial edges! How ever, since this task is a bit delicate, I will try to be very specific about it.

First of all. you remember that the operations L_** and R_** always move also a southern equatorial edge. Since we don't want to mess up all the southern equatorial edges again, we shall keep the lower part of MEGAMINX fixed for all operations to come! Thus we will 'disturb' only one southern equatorial edge!

In order to start, see whether there is a South Pole edge whose South Pole color is pointing upwards. If there is none, hold MEGAMINX in any standard position and apply L_** or R_** respectively to bring about this situation (see section 10). Then turn the South Pole cap until this first South Pole edge is correctly set. We shall call it the reference edge. Finally turn MEGAMINX, to bring this reference edge to the right. From now on we keep the lower part of MEGAMINX fixed, allowing only for turns of the South Pole cap (which is still up), and of the left and right caps.

Next we want to set the back South Pole edge. We have to proceed in two steps:

		The reference edge is here to the right.
We now want to set correctly the back South Pole edge
		Keep this center always in front!!

1. Look for the South Pole edge belonging to the back South Pole edge place. Turn the South Pole cap so that this edge comes in front, either to the left or to the right, but so that the reference edge does not occupy one of these places

You bring the edge to be
set either here or here

Apply L_** or R_** respectively to "park" this edge in the equatorial belt (see Section 11). Then turn back the South Pole cap in order to again set correctly the reference edge to the right.

The reference edge is here to the right again
	The "Parked" edge is now here

2. Now we want to set our "parked" edge. To this end, turn the South Pole cap by two clicks so that the place you want to set the edge upon is in front and to the left. Then apply R_** to place our edge. lithe South Pole color dces not yet point upwards apply the following operation:

R** ·

· L** ·

· R**

Finally turn back the South Pole cap in order to set correctly again the reference edge to the right. You will see that the second South Pole edge is also set.

Next we want to set the South Pole edge which is to the left

To do this you simply repeat the preceding two steps. Be careful that in the first step, neither the reference edge nor the secondly set edge is brought to a front place! You don't want to lose what you have already set! In the second step you have to turn the South Pole cap by one click only, In this way you set correctly three South Pole edges

These three South Pole edges are correctly set
	Reference Edge

Finally, in order to set the last two South Pole edges, apply, if necessary, L_** or R_** respectively to place back the southern equatorial edge which we have misused so brutally in our operations. The remaining two South Pole edges will be correctly placed again at the same time. But, something terrible may happen! Two of these remaining three edges may still have to be oriented! This is perhaps the most difficult and hence the most challenging problem of MEGAMINX, a bit of a MEGA-PROBLEM.

If the two South Pole edges have to be oriented, proceed immediately to the next operation. If it is one of the South Pole edges and the front southern equatorial edge, which have to be oriented, apply L_** or R_** respectively in order to bring these two edges together up into the South Pole cap and then apply the following operation:

{ R** ·

}4·

{ R** ·

}4·

I admit, this somehow looks terrible. But it is very easy to remember! Hence, when you have recovered from your shock, take another look:


You start by applying R_** and then you turn the South Pole cap to the right. You repeat these two steps another three times. Then you turn the South Pole cap to the right again, and you repeat the first bracket. Finally you turn back the South Pole cap.


If the southern equatorial edge has been involved, you just have to apply once more L_** or R_** respectively in order to set back correctly this edge.