No. 71: Shocking to Behold
"No. 71: Shocking to Behold" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570). Red moves first and wins in 9 moves; the key first move is R6=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 Chariots, a Horse, a Cannon. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red R6=5Why it works
- Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for- Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
1. Black A6+51. Black A6+5 - 2. Red H4+6Why it works
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for2. Black K5=42. Black K5=4 - 3. Red H6+7Why it works
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for3. Black R1-83. Black R1-8 - 4. Red R3=64. Black K4=5
4. Black K4=5 - 5. Red H7-65. Black K5=4
5. Black K5=4 - 6. Red H6-86. Black K4=5
6. Black K4=5 - 7. Red H8+7Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out for7. Black K5=67. Black K5=6 - 8. Red R6=4Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
- Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for8. Black A5+68. Black A5+6 - 9. Red R4+1Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
- Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for9. Red R4+1
Variations and alternative defences
What if Black defends differently? The alternatives below were checked with the rules engine; lines marked with a mating move lose at once, the others are worth trying on the analysis board.
- 1. Black A6+5
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 2. Black K5=4
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 3. Black R1-8
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 4. Black K4=5
- If Black plays A5+4 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+1. Try it on the board
- 5. Black K5=4
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 6. Black K4=5
- If Black plays A5+4 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+1. Try it on the board
Final position
Red wins after 9 moves. The General has no legal move.
Questions about this puzzle
Who moves first in "No. 71: Shocking to Behold"?
Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570).
How many moves does the solution take?
9 moves. The main line is shown above; alternative defences are covered in the variations section.
What is the key move?
The first move R6=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.
Nearby puzzles
- No. 68: Smashing the Cup at Hongmen
- No. 69: A Step into the Snare
- No. 70: Kite Soars to the Heavens
- No. 72: Swift Steed Chases the Wind
- No. 73: Fish Leaps in the Deep
- No. 74: Climbing High, Treading Danger
More from Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570) →
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