No. 28: Horse and Two Soldiers Win by Rule vs Horse and Two Advisors

"No. 28: Horse and Two Soldiers Win by Rule vs Horse and Two Advisors" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Practical Endgames. Red moves first and wins in 6 moves; the key first move is P5+1. 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 Horse, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Horse.

Solution move by move

1. Red P5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black H6+7
1. Black H6+7
2. Red P7=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black H7-5
2. Black H7-5
3. Red H3+1 (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 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black H5+6
3. Black H5+6
4. Red H1+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.
4. Black K5=6
4. Black K5=6
5. Red P5+1 (captures the Advisor, sacrifices the Soldier, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
5. Black A4+5 (captures the Soldier)
5. Black A4+5
6. Red P6=5 (captures the Advisor, checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Red P6=5

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 H6+7
- If Black plays H6-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6+8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6+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: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black H7-5
- If Black plays H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7+8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7+6 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
3. Black H5+6
- If Black plays H5-7 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H5+7 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H5-3 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H5+3 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H5+4 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+3. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 6 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "No. 28: Horse and Two Soldiers Win by Rule vs Horse and Two Advisors"?

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 P5+1 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. 27: Horse and High Soldier Win by Rule vs Cannon and Soldier Next puzzle: No. 29: Horse and Two Soldiers Win by Rule vs Cannon and Two Advisors →