No. 2: Horse and Low Soldier Draw by Rule vs Two Advisors and One Elephant

"No. 2: Horse and Low Soldier Draw by Rule vs Two Advisors and One Elephant" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Practical Endgames. Red moves first and wins in 8 moves; the key first move is H3+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, a Horse, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant.

Solution move by move

1. Red H3+4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black K4-1
1. Black K4-1
2. Red H4+3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black E5+7
2. Black E5+7
3. Red K5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black K4+1
3. Black K4+1
4. Red H3+2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black K4-1
4. Black K4-1
5. Red P4+1 (captures the Advisor, sacrifices the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black A5-6 (captures the Soldier)
5. Black A5-6
6. Red H2+4 (captures the Advisor)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Black E7-9
6. Black E7-9
7. Red H4-2
7. Black E9+7
7. Black E9+7
8. Red H2-4
8. Black E7-5
8. Black E7-5

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 K4-1
- If Black plays E5+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5+3 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 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
- If Black plays A5+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black E5+7
- If Black plays E5-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5+3 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
- If Black plays K4=5 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
3. Black K4+1
- If Black plays E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E7-5 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
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black K4-1
- If Black plays E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E7-5 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 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
- If Black plays A5+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black A5-6
- If Black plays E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E7-5 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
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black E7-9
- If Black plays E7-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black E9+7
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black E7-5
- If Black plays E7-9 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. 2: Horse and Low Soldier Draw by Rule vs Two Advisors and One Elephant"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move H3+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. 1: Horse and Low Soldier Draw by Rule vs Two Elephants and One Advisor Next puzzle: No. 3: Horse and Bottom Soldier Win by Rule vs Advisor and Elephant (1) →