Kite Mahjong Solitaire

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About the Kite Layout

The Kite layout spreads a tall diamond across the screen, crossed by a frame of tiles running corner to corner like the spars of a real kite. The four straight edges meet at sharp points top and bottom, left and right, and from the lowest point a wavy ribboned tail trails away in a loose, dancing line of single tiles. The body is layered along the crossbar where the two spars overlap in the middle, while the four triangular panels between the spars are shallower and more open.

This is a breezy 2 out of 5 board with a light, airy feel that matches its subject. Because the diamond is built from straight edges, free tiles line every side from the opening move, and the four open panels give you room to work without much congestion. The kite plays quickly and cheerfully, with only the crossed center asking for a little care. The trailing tail then provides a relaxed, almost ceremonial wind-down to finish.

Difficulty: Medium (2/5) | Tiles: 116

How to Clear the Kite Layout

Open along the four outer edges of the diamond first. The slanted sides each present a long run of tiles that are free on one flank, so work the edges inward toward the center cross. This thins all four triangular panels at once and keeps your options wide.

The crux is the crossbar in the middle where the two spars of the frame intersect. That intersection is the deepest, most stacked part of the board, so do not race to it, undermine it gradually by clearing the panels around it until the crossing tiles become exposed from the sides.

Mind the four sharp corner points. Each tip is a dead end where a tile can only come free from one direction, so clear the tiles feeding a corner before the corner tile itself becomes an isolated blocker. The bottom point matters most because it gates the tail.

The wavy tail is a string of flat, mostly free tiles and is your endgame cushion. Once the bottom point opens, the tail unzips easily, so leave it for last as guaranteed moves. Flowers and seasons match any tile in their group, so deploy them to crack the stacked center, and Shuffle if the crossbar leaves you a buried vertical pair.

The Story Behind the Kite Layout

A kite is one of humankind's oldest flying things, a frame and a skin tethered by a single string, turning wind into play. The classic diamond shape with its crossed wooden spars and fluttering ribbon tail has soared over beaches and festivals for centuries, and in some cultures kite flying is a seasonal tradition all its own. Its appeal is the simplest kind of magic: you hold the ground and the sky pulls back.

As a Mahjong shape the kite is a natural. The diamond's straight edges open cleanly, the crossed frame gives a meaningful center to overcome, and the long ribboned tail offers a playful, trailing finish. Clearing it feels a little like reeling a kite back down out of the breeze, panel by panel, until only the tail remains in your hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I make my first moves on the Kite layout?

Start on the four slanted outer edges of the diamond. Each edge is a run of tiles free on one side, so clearing inward from all four edges thins the open panels evenly and sets up the crossed center.

What makes the center of the Kite tricky?

The crossbar, where the two diagonal spars of the frame overlap, is the deepest and most layered spot. Clear the surrounding triangular panels first so the crossing tiles get exposed from the sides rather than trying to dig straight into them.

Why does the bottom point of the kite matter so much?

The lowest corner gates the trailing tail. Until you clear the tiles feeding that point, the tail stays locked. Open the bottom tip and the wavy tail becomes a string of easy free tiles to finish on.

Is the Kite layout harder than it looks?

Not really. At 2 out of 5 it is light and forgiving thanks to its open straight edges and four shallow panels. Only the crossed center needs patience, and Shuffle is always available if remaining tiles get tangled.

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