No. 198: Startled Bird Hides in the Branches
"No. 198: Startled Bird Hides in the Branches" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570). Red moves first and wins in 5 moves; the key first move is P4=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, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 2 Cannons, a Soldier. Black has a General, a Advisor, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Cannon, a Soldier.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red P4=5Why it works
- Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for1. Black H7-51. Black H7-5 - 2. Red +R+1Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for- Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
2. Black K5=42. Black K5=4 - 3. Red C6=5Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
- Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for3. Black R2=43. Black R2=4 - 4. Red H9+8Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for4. Black K4+14. Black K4+1 - 5. Red C4-1Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for5. Red C4-1
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 H7-5
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with +R+1. Try it on the board
Final position
Red wins after 5 moves. The General has no legal move.
Questions about this puzzle
Who moves first in "No. 198: Startled Bird Hides in the Branches"?
Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570).
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 P4=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.
Nearby puzzles
- No. 195: Fine Steed Hauling a Salt Cart
- No. 196: Snow Blocks the Blue Pass
- No. 197: Casting One's Life at the Enemy's Gate
- No. 199: Eagle Seizes the Hare
- No. 200: Fallen Blossoms on Flowing Water
More from Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570) →
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