No. 94: Shouldering Books to Follow a Master

"No. 94: Shouldering Books to Follow a Master" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570). Red moves first and wins in 5 moves; the key first move is R5+1. 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, 2 Horses, a Cannon. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 2 Horses, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red R5+1 (captures the Elephant, check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
1. Black A6+5 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black A6+5
2. Red H5+6 (check, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
2. Black K5=6
2. Black K5=6
3. Red R5=4 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
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.
3. Black A5+6 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
3. Black A5+6
4. Red C2=4 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
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.
4. Black A6-5 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black A6-5
5. Red H1+3 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
5. Red H1+3

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 3 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 4: H8+6 5. R8=4# Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 1: E3+5 2. H5+6# Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 1: A4+5 2. H5+6+ K5=4 3. C2=6# Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 5 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "No. 94: Shouldering Books to Follow a Master"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R5+1 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. 93: Fish Startled by the Crescent Hook Next puzzle: No. 95: Hero's Spirit Pierces the Dipper →

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