No. 70: Kite Soars to the Heavens
"No. 70: Kite Soars to the Heavens" 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 H4+2. 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 Chariot, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons. Black has a General, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red H4+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.
- Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for1. Black C6-21. Black C6-2 - 2. Red H2-4Why it works
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for2. Black K5+12. Black K5+1 - 3. Red R6+8Why it works
- 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.
3. Black K5=43. Black K5=4 - 4. Red H4-5Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
- Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for4. Black K4+14. Black K4+1 - 5. Red +H+7Why 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 for5. Black K4=55. Black K4=5 - 6. Red H7-6Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for6. Red H7-6
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.
- 2. Black K5+1
- If Black plays R8-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+9. Try it on the board
- 3. Black K5=4
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. 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. 70: Kite Soars to the Heavens"?
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 H4+2 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. 67: Duck Snare and Fish Net
- No. 68: Smashing the Cup at Hongmen
- No. 69: A Step into the Snare
- No. 71: Shocking to Behold
- No. 72: Swift Steed Chases the Wind
- No. 73: Fish Leaps in the Deep
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