No. 142: Seven States in Horizontal Alliance

"No. 142: Seven States in Horizontal Alliance" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570). Red moves first and wins in 6 moves; the key first move is C1+2. 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, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 2 Horses, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red C1+2 (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.
1. Black E5-7 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black E5-7
2. 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.
2. Black K5+1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
2. Black K5+1
3. Red R4+2 (check)
3. Black K5+1 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black K5+1
4. Red H8+7 (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.
4. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K5=4
5. Red R4=6 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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 for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
5. Black H2+4 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
5. Black H2+4
6. Red P8=7 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Red P8=7

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.

2. Black K5+1
- If Black plays H7-5 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+3. Try it on the board
3. Black K5+1
- If Black plays K5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 6 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "No. 142: Seven States in Horizontal Alliance"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move C1+2 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. 141: Troops Camped at Xiliu Next puzzle: No. 143: Avoid Harm on Sight →

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