No. 187: Mars Retreats From Its Lodging

"No. 187: Mars Retreats From Its Lodging" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570). Red moves first and wins in 9 moves; the key first move is R1+9. 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, a Cannon. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Chariots, 2 Cannons, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R1+9 (check)
1. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K6+1
2. Red R1-1 (check)
2. Black K6-1 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K6-1
3. Red C8+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
Why 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 forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black C5-1 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black C5-1
4. Red H7+6 (captures the Cannon, check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Black +A-5 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black +A-5
5. Red R1+1 (check)
5. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black K6+1
6. Red H6-5 (check)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
The Horse stands where it can be captured.
6. Black R1=5 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black R1=5
7. Red R9=5 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
7. Black A4+5 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
7. Black A4+5
8. Red R1-1 (check)
8. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black K6+1
9. Red H5-3 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
9. Red H5-3

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 3 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 7: K6=5 8. R1-1+ Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 6: C5+3 7. R1=4# Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 2: K6+1 3. H7-5+ K6=5 4. R1-1+ Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 9 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "No. 187: Mars Retreats From Its Lodging"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570).

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R1+9 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. 186: Roosting Bird Startled by the Pellet Next puzzle: No. 188: Now Sinking, Now Floating →

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