No. 150: Marshal Lü Soars Like a Hawk
"No. 150: Marshal Lü Soars Like a Hawk" 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 C2+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, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red C2+5Why 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 for1. Black A6+51. Black A6+5 - 2. Red C2-1Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
- Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for2. Black A5-62. Black A5-6 - 3. Red R8=5Why it worksWhat to watch out for
- Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
3. Black K5+13. Black K5+1 - 4. Red P4+1Why it worksWhat to watch out for
- Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
4. Black K5=64. Black K5=6 - 5. Red C1+3Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out for5. Black K6+15. Black K6+1 - 6. Red R1=4Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
- Wins material: takes the Advisor.
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for6. Black K6=56. Black K6=5 - 7. Red +P=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 for- Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
7. Black K5=47. Black K5=4 - 8. Red P7=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 for8. Black K4=58. Black K4=5 - 9. Red P6+1Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for9. Red P6+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.
- 3. Black K5+1
- If Black plays R5-2 instead: Red mates immediately with C2+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A4+5 instead: Red mates immediately with C2+1. Try it on the board
- 4. Black K5=6
- If Black plays K5-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. 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. 150: Marshal Lü Soars Like a Hawk"?
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 C2+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. 147: Fire Oxen Break the City
- No. 148: Restore Order From Chaos
- No. 149: Soaring Dragon, Rising Phoenix
- No. 151: Enemy Horses Drink From the River
- No. 152: Fishing in Midstream
- No. 153: Dying Against the Enemy Is Loyalty
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