The complete layout is visible
Each tableau column starts with six face-up cards. Only the exposed end card of a column may move, so seeing the whole deal helps planning but does not make buried cards immediately available.
Beleaguered Castle
Move all 52 cards to the suited foundations, building each one upward from Ace to King.
How to play
Move all 52 cards to the suited foundations, building each one upward from Ace to King.
- Begin with all four Aces on the foundations and six cards in each of eight tableau columns.
- Move one exposed card onto a card exactly one rank higher, regardless of suit, or into an empty column.
- Send exposed cards to their matching foundations in ascending rank order.
Strategy tips
- Preserve empty columns because they are the only temporary spaces in this open deal.
- Expose low cards early so each suited foundation can keep advancing.
- Avoid filling an empty column with a card that cannot soon be moved again.
Complete guide
Rules, scoring, and strategy
Beleaguered Castle is an open patience game with no stock and no hidden cards. The four Aces begin on their foundations, while the other 48 cards form eight columns that must be untangled one exposed card at a time.
Tableau builds by rank
An exposed card may be placed on a card exactly one rank higher without regard to suit. Only one card moves at a time; a descending run cannot be lifted as a unit.
Empty columns are reusable
Any exposed single card may enter an empty tableau column. That space is the game's main staging tool, so use it to release low foundation cards and try to reopen it quickly.
Foundations finish by suit
All four Aces are already placed. Add the Two, Three, and later ranks of the same suit in order until every foundation reaches its King. A premature tableau move can still block the next required rank.
Questions players ask
Does Beleaguered Castle use a stock?
No. Every non-Ace card is dealt face up into the eight tableau columns at the start.
Can a descending sequence move together?
No. This implementation permits only the single exposed card of a column to move.
What can fill an empty column?
Any exposed single card may be moved into an empty tableau column.
Related games
FreeCellUse four open cells to reorganize a fully visible deal and build every suit onto its foundation.Four SeasonsBuild wrapping suited foundations from a random base rank around a five-card cross, with rank-only wrapping tableau piles.Cruel SolitaireBuild suited foundations from twelve four-card piles, using same-suit descents and order-preserving packet redeals to reopen the layout.Flower GardenCultivate six open flower beds with a sixteen-card bouquet reserve, moving one card at a time down by rank regardless of suit.
