No. 9: Chariot and Cannon Draw by Rule vs Chariot and High Soldier

"No. 9: Chariot and Cannon Draw by Rule vs Chariot and High Soldier" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Practical Endgames. Red moves first and wins in 5 moves; the key first move is R5+5. 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, a Cannon. Black has a General, a Chariot, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red R5+5 (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.
1. Black K4+1
1. Black K4+1
2. Red C1=9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black P8=7
2. Black P8=7
3. Red C9+5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black P7=6
3. Black P7=6
4. Red C9=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black R4=5 (check)
4. Black R4=5
5. Red R5-6 (captures the Chariot, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black P6=5 (captures the Chariot)
5. Black 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.

2. Black P8=7
- 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=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
3. Black P7=6
- 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=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
4. Black R4=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 R4-2 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
5. Black P6=5
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "No. 9: Chariot and Cannon Draw by Rule vs Chariot and High Soldier"?

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 R5+5 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: Chariot and Cannon Draw by Rule vs Chariot and Low Soldier Next puzzle: No. 10: Chariot and Cannon Draw by Rule vs Chariot and Horse →