No. 88: Edge Soldier Wins the Day

"No. 88: Edge Soldier Wins the Day" 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 +R+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 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Chariots, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red +R+1 (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.
1. Black K5+1
1. Black K5+1
2. Red -R+4 (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+1
2. Black K5+1
3. Red +R=5 (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.
3. Black K5=4
3. Black K5=4
4. Red R5=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black R5+1 (captures the Elephant, threatens mate next move)
4. Black R5+1
5. Red C9=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
5. Black P5=6 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
5. Black P5=6
6. Red R4-7 (captures the Soldier, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
Not forcing: the defender has 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R8=6 (captures the Chariot, check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
6. Black R8=6
7. Red K4+1 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black R5-6 (captures the Cannon)
7. Black R5-6
8. Red R3=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black R5=2
8. Black R5=2
9. Red R7-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black R2+3
9. Black R2+3
10. Red R7=6 (check)
10. Black K4=5
10. Black K4=5
11. Red R6=5 (check)
11. Black K5=4
11. Black K5=4
12. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black R2=4
12. Black R2=4
13. Red P1+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
13. Red P1+1

Variations and alternative defences

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

Variation 1, from move 4: 4. R5-6 P5=6+ 5. R4-7 R8+1+ 6. E1-3 R8=7# Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 3: 3. +R=3 P5+1+ 4. K4=5 R5+1+ 5. K5=6 R5+2# Try it on the board

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "No. 88: Edge Soldier Wins the Day"?

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 +R+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. 87: Digging a Channel to Draw Water Next puzzle: No. 89: Seven Powers Vie for Supremacy →

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