No. 189: Shut the Gate and Sweep the Tracks
"No. 189: Shut the Gate and Sweep the Tracks" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570). Red moves first and wins in 3 moves; the key first move is C8=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 Chariot, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, 3 Soldiers.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red C8=4Why it works
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for- Gives up the Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
- Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black P7=61. Black P7=6 - 2. Red C1=4Why it works
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for- Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black P6+12. Black P6+1 - 3. Red R3=5Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
- Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for3. Red R3=5
Variations and alternative defences
The source manual records 2 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.
- Variation 1, from move 2: P4=5+ 3. K5=6 P5=6 4. C4+2+ Try it on the board
- Variation 2, from move 3: 3. K5+1 P6+1+ Try it on the board
Final position
Red wins after 3 moves. The General has no legal move.
Questions about this puzzle
Who moves first in "No. 189: Shut the Gate and Sweep the Tracks"?
Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570).
How many moves does the solution take?
3 moves. The main line is shown above; alternative defences are covered in the variations section.
What is the key move?
The first move C8=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.
Nearby puzzles
- No. 186: Roosting Bird Startled by the Pellet
- No. 187: Mars Retreats From Its Lodging
- No. 188: Now Sinking, Now Floating
- No. 191: Comforting the Officers and Men
- No. 192: Hearts Bound Across Two Places
- No. 193: Equal Merit, Equal Rank
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