No. 18: Two Chariots Draw by Rule vs Chariot, Horse, Two Advisors and One Elephant

"No. 18: Two Chariots Draw by Rule vs Chariot, Horse, Two Advisors and One Elephant" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Practical Endgames. Red moves first and wins in 2 moves; the key first move is R4+2. 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, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse.

Solution move by move

1. Red R4+2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black H7-6
1. Black H7-6
2. Red R6+2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black R5=3
2. Black R5=3

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 H7-6
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black R5=3
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "No. 18: Two Chariots Draw by Rule vs Chariot, Horse, Two Advisors and One Elephant"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R4+2 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. 17: Two Chariots Draw by Rule vs Chariot, Two High Soldiers and Two Advisors Next puzzle: No. 19: Two Chariots Draw by Rule vs Chariot, Horse, Two Elephants and One Advisor →