No. 148: Restore Order From Chaos

"No. 148: Restore Order From Chaos" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570). Red moves first and wins in 13 moves; the key first move is R6-3. 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 Advisors, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R6-3 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black A5+4 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black A5+4
2. Red R7-1 (check)
2. Black A6-5 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black A6-5
3. Red R6=8 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black K6-1
3. Black K6-1
4. Red R8+4 (check)
4. Black K6+1
4. Black K6+1
5. Red R8=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black K6+1
5. Black K6+1
6. Red R7-2 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black E5+3
6. Black E5+3
7. Red R7=4 (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
7. Black K6=5
8. Red C9=7 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black R3-1 (check, the only legal reply)
8. Black R3-1
9. Red K6-1 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black R3+1 (check, the only legal reply)
9. Black R3+1
10. Red K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black R3-1 (check, the only legal reply)
10. Black R3-1
11. Red K6-1 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black R3=4 (check)
11. Black R3=4
12. Red K6+1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black P3=4
12. Black P3=4
13. Red C7-1 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
13. Red C7-1

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 4 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 5: 5. R7-5+ Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 1: A5-4 2. R7-1+ Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 1: R2-3 2. R7=5 P3+1 3. R5-1+ K6-1 4. R6+4# Try it on the board
Variation 4, from move 3: A6-5 4. R6=4# Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 13 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "No. 148: Restore Order From Chaos"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R6-3 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. 147: Fire Oxen Break the City Next puzzle: No. 149: Soaring Dragon, Rising Phoenix →

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