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Beleaguered Castle

A castle-style open game with no free cells and rank-based tableau building.

How to play

Build the tableau according to this variant, use the available cells carefully, and move every suit to its foundations from Ace to King. New game, hints, completion detection, and undo are supported.

Learn this variant

How to play Beleaguered Castle

Beleaguered Castle starts with the Aces already home, has no storage cells, and moves one card at a time.

Goal of the game

Move every card to the 4 foundations, building each suit upward from Ace to King.

Rules at a glance

Layout
52 face-up cards, 8 tableau columns, 0 storage cells, and 4 foundation piles.
Tableau building
Build downward by rank; suit and color do not matter.
Storage cells
There are no storage cells; every temporary move must use the tableau.
Empty columns
Any single card or legal sequence may enter an empty column.
Moving sequences
Only one exposed card may move at a time.
Foundations
Build 4 foundation piles upward by suit from Ace to King.

Play the opening in this order

  1. The Aces are already home; locate the Twos and the cards covering them.
  2. With no cells available, plan two or three tableau moves before committing the first card.
  3. Build downward by rank; suit and color do not matter.
  4. Any single card or legal sequence may enter an empty column.
  5. Only one exposed card may move at a time.
  6. Release low cards first and complete all 4 foundations from Ace through King.

Tips for a better deal

  • Prefer moves that uncover a low card or create working space over moves that only tidy the top row.
  • Empty columns are your only temporary workspace, so do not consume one without a follow-up move.
  • Before creating an empty column, decide which blocked sequence it will help release.
  • Send low cards to the foundations when safe, but do not bury a card still needed to build the tableau.

Beleaguered Castle FAQ

How is Beleaguered Castle different from classic FreeCell?

The Aces begin on the foundations, there are no cells, tableau building ignores suit and color, and only one card moves at a time. Classic FreeCell has four cells and moves alternating-color sequences.

Can I move several cards at once?

Only one exposed card may move at a time.

What can enter an empty tableau column?

Any single card or legal sequence may enter an empty column.

Why are the Aces already on the foundations?

That is part of the layout. The remaining 48 cards form eight columns, and your first foundation targets are the four Twos.

Is Beleaguered Castle suitable for beginners?

It is better after you know classic FreeCell. Read the exact tableau and empty-column rules above, then use Hint or Undo to learn which moves the variant permits.

Is Beleaguered Castle free to play?

Yes. Play in your browser for free with no download or registration required.

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More FreeCell games to try

Compare easier, harder, and rule-changing variants, or read the strategy guide before your next deal.