SolitaireRussian Solitaire at a glance
Russian solitaire is Yukon with the difficulty turned all the way up. The layout is identical, with every card dealt at the start, no stock pile and movable face-up groups, but the tableau builds down in the same suit instead of alternating colours. A 7 of spades will only ever accept the 6 of spades.
With just one legal landing spot for every card, positions lock up fast and every choice matters. It is widely considered one of the hardest solitaires there is: winning even occasionally is a real achievement, and unlimited undo is less a convenience here than a survival tool.
Rules and objective
- Same deal as Yukon: all 52 cards on the table, 21 face down, no stock.
- Move any face-up card with everything on top of it, in any order.
- The moved card must land on the next-higher card of the same suit.
- Only Kings fill empty columns.
- Build all four foundations Ace to King to win.
A legal group move, step by step
Suppose a face-up 6♠ has Q♥ and 3♣ below it, and another column ends with 7♠. Drag 6♠ and both following cards onto 7♠. The carried cards do not need to be in sequence: only 6♠ must fit its destination. The same group cannot land on 7♣ because the suit differs.
Read the full Russian Solitaire rules, compare Yukon Solitaire, or learn what winnable means.
The table enforces legal moves and saves the current deal in this browser. Hints identify a move that is available now; they do not guarantee that the deal can still be won.
Strategy: how to play better
- Before every move, note that each card has exactly one possible parent. Check that chain before committing.
- Uncover face-down cards early; a buried card in Russian is far harder to rescue than in Yukon.
- Use undo to compare routes. A failed attempt does not prove the starting deal was impossible.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Russian Solitaire so hard?
Same-suit building means every card has exactly one card it can land on, instead of two in alternating-colour games. Half the flexibility disappears, so positions deadlock far more easily.
What is the difference between Russian Solitaire and Yukon?
Only the building rule: Yukon builds down in alternating colours, Russian builds down in the same suit. The deal, group moves and foundations are otherwise identical.
How is Russian Solitaire scored here?
Turning a face-down card over is worth 5 points and every card you send to a foundation is worth 10, plus a time bonus for finishing. The 5 points for a flip is the game telling you what actually matters: uncovering cards is the whole job, and a score that has stopped climbing means you have stopped digging.
Can most Russian Solitaire deals be won?
No. A large share of deals are unwinnable even with perfect play. Treat every win as earned.
Can I play Russian Solitaire online for free?
Yes. Play the full game free in your browser with hints, unlimited undo and no download or sign-up.