No. 152: Fishing in Midstream
"No. 152: Fishing in Midstream" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570). Red moves first and wins in 8 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, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, 2 Horses, a Soldier.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red +R=5Why it works
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
- Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for- Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
1. Black A4+51. Black A4+5 - 2. Red R8+9Why 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 for2. Black A5-42. Black A5-4 - 3. Red P4=5Why it worksWhat to watch out for
- Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
3. Black K5+13. Black K5+1 - 4. Red H5+4Why it worksWhat to watch out for
- Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black K5-14. Black K5-1 - 5. Red C7+4Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
- Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for5. Black A4+55. Black A4+5 - 6. Red C7-2Why 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 for6. Black A5-46. Black A5-4 - 7. Red H4+6Why 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 for7. Black K5+17. Black K5+1 - 8. Red R8-1Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for8. Red R8-1
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 A4+5
- If Black plays A6+5 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+4. Try it on the board
- 3. Black K5+1
- If Black plays A6+5 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+4. Try it on the board
- 4. Black K5-1
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with C7=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R8-1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8-2. Try it on the board
Final position
Red wins after 8 moves. The General has no legal move.
Questions about this puzzle
Who moves first in "No. 152: Fishing in Midstream"?
Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570).
How many moves does the solution take?
8 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.
Nearby puzzles
- No. 149: Soaring Dragon, Rising Phoenix
- No. 150: Marshal Lü Soars Like a Hawk
- No. 151: Enemy Horses Drink From the River
- No. 153: Dying Against the Enemy Is Loyalty
- No. 154: Repelling the Barbarians on All Sides
- No. 155: Feet Tread the Heavenly Cave
More from Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570) →
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