FreeCell Puzzle #4: The Foundation Timing Trap

Can you save this game?

The obvious moves are not always the right ones.

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DAILY CHALLENGE
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Can You Save This Game?

The Foundation Timing Trap

The board has three occupied free cells, no empty tableau columns and only two club cards home. The position is not solved by rushing every available low card to foundation; it needs a particular tableau reshuffle before the heart chain can safely release.

Position
Expert rescue
Source deal
#31465
Focus
Foundation timing
Cards outside foundations
50
Free cells occupied
3/4

Can this FreeCell position be saved?

Yes. Puzzle #4 is a verified solvable position derived from Microsoft Deal #31465. The saved board state sits on a legal winning line and has been replay-checked from the original numbered deal through to a completed game.

Why this position is tricky

Microsoft Deal #31465 belongs to the small group of classic deals documented as requiring manual foundation decisions under autoplay-only analysis. In this rescue position the useful line first relocates 5♦ and 4♦, then moves 8♠ to expose the low hearts. Foundation timing is part of the solution, not housekeeping.

Hints for Puzzle #4

  1. Start by moving 5♦ from column 4 onto 6♣ in column 1.
  2. The 4♦ then belongs in the final free cell.
  3. Moving 8♠ onto 9♥ exposes the heart cards that can finally start clearing.

Solution approach

Reveal the rescue plan

The verified continuation begins 5♦ → 6♣, 4♦ → free cell 4, then 8♠ → 9♥. That exposure lets A♥ and 2♥ clear safely, followed by the low clubs and hearts. The important idea is to create the foundation release with tableau moves rather than forcing the foundation first.

Try another FreeCell puzzle

Puzzle #1 · The Last Free Cell Puzzle #2 · The 617 Supermove Trap Puzzle #3 · No Cheap Exit Puzzle #5 · The 1941 Pressure Test