No. 9: Lone Chariot Draws by Rule vs Cannon and Two Advisors

"No. 9: Lone Chariot Draws by Rule vs Cannon and Two Advisors" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Practical Endgames. Red moves first and wins in 5 moves; the key first move is K5=6. 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, a Chariot. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Cannon.

Solution move by move

1. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black K4-1
1. Black K4-1
2. Red R7+3 (check, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
2. Black K4+1
2. Black K4+1
3. Red K6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black C4+1
3. Black C4+1
4. Red R7-3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black C4-1
4. Black C4-1
5. Red K6-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black K4-1
5. Black K4-1

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 K4-1
- If Black plays C4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black C4+1
- If Black plays C4+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5-4 instead: Red mates immediately with R7-1. Try it on the board
4. Black C4-1
- If Black plays C4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black K4-1
- If Black plays C4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+6 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. 9: Lone Chariot Draws by Rule vs Cannon and Two Advisors"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move K5=6 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. 8: Lone Chariot Draws by Rule vs Horse, High Soldier and Two Advisors Next puzzle: No. 10: Lone Chariot Draws by Rule vs Cannon and Two Elephants →