On Windows, Freecell game #11982 is impossible to beat. But there is a way, albeit unorthodox.
Open up Freecell and hit F3 (or Game -> Select Game) and type in 11982. Hit Control-Shift-F10, then move the 2 of hearts to the 3 of spades and voila, you won the game. At least, that’s what your game statistics will say.
Update: If you think you can beat this game, check again. This is the starting layout.
The FreeCell FAQ declared game 11982 to be impossible after exhaustive research. They wrote, “11982 has now eluded solution by probably thousands of human solvers, and at least eight independent computer programs I am aware of (most of which are designed to search exhaustively for a solution), and I am confident in calling it impossible.”
Re Game No. 11982, which you say is unwinnable. I just played it and won the first time I tried it! Played in the usual way, without the “trick” you described.
» Comment by Harriet on February 14, 2009 @ 2:38 pmHarriet: Are you sure? #11982 has been proven to be unbeatable. You probably mistyped the game number.
» Comment by Dan on February 14, 2009 @ 3:32 pmYep, if Harriet comes back with step by step instructions, then I would believe her. I’ve been trying to beat this one for awhile. I haven’t given up hope yet. It always seems like I am one cell short
» Comment by Ross on June 25, 2009 @ 2:46 pmI’ve won every game from 1 to 11981 and tried for two mo. to win 11982. Don’t believe it’s possible in the conventional way.
» Comment by SKW on July 3, 2009 @ 7:27 am#11982 is not PROVEN to be unbeatable (extremely hard to prove something like that), but is BELIEVED to be.
» Comment by Frank on October 22, 2009 @ 7:21 am@Frank Correct.
» Comment by Dan on October 22, 2009 @ 10:26 amGame is impossible, i tried it. the only way to win is by cheating or glitching
» Comment by Cody on June 18, 2010 @ 3:40 pmhttp://freecellgamesolutions.com/ds/?g=1982&p=aiq
» Comment by hossi on June 23, 2010 @ 1:19 pm@hossi That’s 1982, the impossible game is #11982.
» Comment by Dan on June 23, 2010 @ 2:59 pmBefore realizing the game was impossible, I came across it at random. I can’t give up on a game without winning, so naturally, I played this hand over and over again. Never won. Is this hand still proven to be impossible? I see that one user posted he/she beat it on first try. Really??
» Comment by Jennifer on November 30, 2010 @ 4:55 pm@Jennifer No one has ever beaten the game and shown how it was done. I can guarantee Harriet didn’t beat it on the first try. She played another game thinking it was 11982. If you do beat it, you’d immediately become a Freecell legend.
» Comment by Dan on November 30, 2010 @ 5:04 pmHow about help on 25450?
» Comment by Ed on July 8, 2011 @ 10:16 pmI have completed 16710 games in a row except 11982 keep going back to 11982, findly went on line to see if possable,glad I did after 500+
» Comment by ralph on August 6, 2011 @ 7:16 amattempts over 2 years time. thanks people
@ralph That’s true dedication.
» Comment by Dan on August 9, 2011 @ 8:54 amThe picture above with the 11982 game won is fake.
» Comment by tibanu on December 7, 2011 @ 1:18 pmTry to open the game, than hit ctrl+shift+f10 , hit abort, than move a card and the cheat is done.
I also tried 11982 but no succes,
best regards,
tibanu
@tibanu Did you even read the post?
» Comment by Dan on December 7, 2011 @ 2:59 pmI play freecell evryday @ work and i beat it with no cheats, it is very easy, i have come across some that were more difficult than that.
» Comment by iplayzharder on December 9, 2011 @ 6:07 am@iplayzharder You played a different game. If you don’t believe you did, what was your solution? Wambooli couldn’t solve it and offered a $25 prize for someone else to solve it, but no one could. The FreeCell FAQ declared it to be impossible after exhaustive research. I quote, “11982 has now eluded solution by probably thousands of human solvers, and at least eight independent computer programs I am aware of (most of which are designed to search exhaustively for a solution), and I am confident in calling it impossible.”
» Comment by Dan on December 9, 2011 @ 8:56 am