Rank and File

Rank and File Solitaire is a game of strategy and perseverance, reminiscent of the order and discipline required upon the battlefield. This card game, played with two full decks, begins with forty cards distributed into ten tableau piles, with all but the top card of each pile lying in concealment—much like a regiment held in reserve, awaiting orders. The player may move either the top card of a pile or a fully assembled sequence of cards, provided they are arranged in descending order. The tableau itself must be built down by alternating colors, while the foundations are to be constructed from Ace to King by suit, mirroring the march of our forces to glory.

As the game advances, any concealed card is revealed once all cards above it have been maneuvered—much like the true strength of a battalion coming into view once the skirmishers have moved forward. Should a player find their advance impeded, a card may be drawn from the stockpile, situated to the right of the game screen. This card is first presented in what we might call a "sneak peek" position, giving the player the tactical choice of deploying it immediately or relegating it to the waste pile for future consideration. The top card of either the sneak peek or the waste pile may be employed to continue building upon the tableau or to advance the foundations.

When a tableau pile is entirely cleared, it is akin to securing new ground; any card may be placed to form a new pile, granting the player additional flexibility for future operations. The ultimate aim of Rank and File Solitaire is to build up all eight foundations, each ending with a King, symbolizing the culmination of our efforts and the triumph of discipline over chaos. The game is challenging, yet, much like a hard-fought campaign, it offers great satisfaction to those who possess the skill, patience, and determination to see it through to the end.