No. 87: Digging a Channel to Draw Water

"No. 87: Digging a Channel to Draw Water" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570). Red moves first and wins in 7 moves; the key first move is R2=4. 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 Cannon, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Advisor, 2 Chariots, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red R2=4 (check, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
1. Black K6-1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
1. Black K6-1
2. Red C3=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black A4+5
2. Black A4+5
3. Red C8-5 (captures the Chariot, sacrifices the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black P2+1 (captures the Cannon)
3. Black P2+1
4. Red P9=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black P2=3
4. Black P2=3
5. Red K6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R6-2
5. Black R6-2
6. Red R6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black P3=4
6. Black P3=4
7. Red P7+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black R6=5
7. Black R6=5

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 1 variation. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 7: 7. R5+6 P4+1 Try it on the board

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "No. 87: Digging a Channel to Draw Water"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R2=4 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. 86: Strategy Decides Victory Next puzzle: No. 88: Edge Soldier Wins the Day →

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