No. 154: Repelling the Barbarians on All Sides

"No. 154: Repelling the Barbarians on All Sides" 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 +R+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, a Cannon. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 2 Cannons.

Solution move by move

1. Red +R+5 (check)
1. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K6+1
2. Red -R+8 (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.
2. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K6+1
3. Red -R-1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
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.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black K6-1 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black K6-1
4. Red +R-1 (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.
4. Black K6-1 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K6-1
5. Red -R=4 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
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.
5. Black A5+6 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
5. Black A5+6
6. Red R2+1 (check)
6. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black K6+1
7. Red H1+2 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
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.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
7. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black K6=5
8. Red R2=5 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
8. Black K5-1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
8. Black K5-1
9. Red H2+3 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
9. Red H2+3

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 1 variation. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 1: E5-7 2. +R=3+ K6+1 3. R2+8+ K6+1 4. R2-1+ K6-1 5. H1+3+ -C-2 6. R3-1+ K6-1 7. R2+2# 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. 154: Repelling the Barbarians on All Sides"?

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 +R+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. 153: Dying Against the Enemy Is Loyalty Next puzzle: No. 155: Feet Tread the Heavenly Cave →

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