No. 109: Unable to Stop

"No. 109: Unable to Stop" 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 C7+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 Advisors, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, 2 Cannons, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse, 2 Cannons, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red C7+5 (captures the Horse, check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
1. Black A4+5 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black A4+5
2. Red C7=3 (captures the Elephant)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 41 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
2. Black R8+5 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
2. Black R8+5
3. Red C3-9 (check, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black R8-9 (check, the General has no escape square)
3. Black R8-9
4. Red C3+4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black R8=9 (captures the Chariot)
4. Black R8=9
5. Red C3=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.
5. Black K6=5
5. Black K6=5
6. Red R7+1 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Red R7+1

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 2 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 2: P9=8 3. C5=1 Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 2: R8=6 3. C3-1+ K6+1 4. C5=2 R6=8 5. C2=4# 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. 109: Unable to Stop"?

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 C7+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. 108: Scrambling for Boats at the Crossing Next puzzle: No. 110: Predictions Often Prove Right →

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