No. 20: Two Chariots Draw by Rule vs Chariot, Cannon, Two Elephants and One Advisor

"No. 20: Two Chariots Draw by Rule vs Chariot, Cannon, Two Elephants and One Advisor" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Practical Endgames. Red moves first and wins in 6 moves; the key first move is K5=4. Below you will find the full solution, what each move achieves, where it could go wrong, and the alternative defences.

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Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Chariots. Black has a General, a Advisor, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Cannon.

Solution move by move

1. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black A6+5
1. Black A6+5
2. Red R8-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black R4-2
2. Black R4-2
3. Red R4+2 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black A5-6
3. Black A5-6
4. Red R8-2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black A6+5
4. Black A6+5
5. Red R8=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black E5-3
5. Black E5-3
6. Red R3+2 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R4=6 (check)
6. Black R4=6

Variations and alternative defences

What if Black defends differently? The alternatives below were checked with the rules engine; lines marked with a mating move lose at once, the others are worth trying on the analysis board.

1. Black A6+5
- If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black R4-2
- If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black A5-6
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4+2 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=5. Try it on the board
4. Black A6+5
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black E5-3
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black R4=6
- If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=5. Try it on the board

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "No. 20: Two Chariots Draw by Rule vs Chariot, Cannon, Two Elephants and One Advisor"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Practical Endgames.

How many moves does the solution take?

6 moves. The main line is shown above; alternative defences are covered in the variations section.

What is the key move?

The first move K5=4 starts the combination. Everything that follows depends on it.

Can I play this position myself?

Yes. Open it on ChessZing, where the board checks your moves and shows the solution if you get stuck.

← Previous puzzle: No. 19: Two Chariots Draw by Rule vs Chariot, Horse, Two Elephants and One Advisor Next puzzle: No. 21: Two Chariots Draw by Rule vs Chariot, Cannon and Two Advisors →