Chameleon Solitaire

What is Chameleon?

Chameleon is a Canfield variant compressed to its smallest viable form: three tableau columns (instead of Canfield’s four), draw-one stock (instead of draw-three), no redeals at all, and any-suit tableau building (instead of alternating-color). The base-rank wraparound foundation mechanic from Canfield is retained. With only three columns, no second chances, and one-at-a-time stock access, Chameleon is harder than Canfield despite the more flexible any-suit build rule.

Three columns and no redeals

Three tableau columns provide very little working space. Any-suit building creates more legal destinations than Canfield’s alternating-color, but three columns means most cards have only three viable homes in the tableau at any moment. With no redeals, every stock card that goes to the waste without being played cannot be recovered.

The primary discipline is identical to Rainbow and Sir Tommy: evaluate each stock card against all available foundation and tableau destinations before committing to a waste placement.

Read the Chameleon strategy guide →

Canfield family variants

• Canfield — four columns; draw-three; unlimited redeals; alternating-color
• Rainbow — four columns; draw-one; no redeals; any-suit
• Selective Canfield — player chooses base rank

Related games and reference

• Chameleon strategy guide
• Canfield strategy guide
• Solitaire glossary
• All solitaire games