No. 105: Fighting Like Raging Fire
"No. 105: Fighting Like Raging Fire" 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 R4+7. 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, a Advisor, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 2 Cannons. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 2 Cannons, 2 Soldiers.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red R4+7Why 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 for- Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
1. Black K5=61. Black K5=6 - 2. Red R2+42. Black K6+1
2. Black K6+1 - 3. Red H1+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.
What to watch out for3. Black K6+13. Black K6+1 - 4. Red R2=4Why 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.
4. Black A5-64. Black A5-6 - 5. Red C6+5Why it works
- Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for5. Black E5+35. Black E5+3 - 6. Red C5+5Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for6. Red C5+5
Variations and alternative defences
The source manual records 3 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.
- Variation 1, from move 4: -C=6 5. H2+3# Try it on the board
- Variation 2, from move 2: E5-7 3. R2=3+ K6+1 4. H1+2+ K6+1 5. R3-2+ K6-1 6. C6+6+ Try it on the board
- Variation 3, from move 4: 4. C6+6+ A5+4 5. C5+6+ K6+1 6. R3-2# 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. 105: Fighting Like Raging Fire"?
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 R4+7 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. 102: Waiting at the Golden Gate for Dawn
- No. 103: Two Egrets Eye the Fish
- No. 104: Going Straight and Getting One's Way
- No. 106: Army Marches Beyond the Pass
- No. 107: Phoenix Rises from Cinnabar Mountain
- No. 108: Scrambling for Boats at the Crossing
More from Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570) →
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