No. 69: A Step into the Snare

No. 69: A Step into the Snare楚河 漢界帥車車卒傌傌馬兵兵俥士炮將炮

"No. 69: A Step into the Snare" 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+1. Below you will find the full solution, what each move achieves, where it could go wrong, and the alternative defences.

Solve this puzzle on ChessZing →

Free, in the browser, no download.

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Chariot, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Advisor, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

  1. 1. Red R6+1 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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 for
    • Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
    1. Black K5=4 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
    1楚河 漢界帥車車卒傌傌馬兵兵士炮將炮
    1. Black K5=4
  2. 2. Red P7+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.
    2. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
    2楚河 漢界帥車車卒傌傌馬兵將士炮兵炮
    2. Black K4+1
  3. 3. Red H8+7 (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 K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
    3楚河 漢界帥車車卒傌傌馬將兵士炮兵炮
    3. Black K4+1
  4. 4. Red H7+8 (check)
    4. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
    4楚河 漢界帥車車卒傌馬將兵傌士炮兵炮
    4. Black K4=5
  5. 5. Red H2+3 (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.
    5. Black K5=6 (threatens mate next move)
    5楚河 漢界帥車車卒傌馬將兵傌士炮兵炮
    5. Black K5=6
  6. 6. Red P2=3 (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.
    6. Black K6-1 (threatens mate next move)
    6楚河 漢界帥車車卒傌馬兵傌士將炮兵炮
    6. Black K6-1
  7. 7. Red P3+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.
    7. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
    7楚河 漢界帥車車卒傌馬將傌士兵炮兵炮
    7. Black K6+1
  8. 8. Red P3=4 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
    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.
    • Takes away the General's escape squares.
    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
    8. Black A5-6 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
    8楚河 漢界帥車車卒傌馬將傌兵炮兵士
    8. Black A5-6
  9. 9. Red C9=4 (captures the Advisor, checkmate)
    Why it works
    • Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
    • Wins material: takes the Advisor.
    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
    9楚河 漢界帥車車卒傌馬將傌兵兵炮
    9. Red C9=4

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.

Final position

Final position楚河 漢界帥車車卒傌馬將傌兵兵炮

Red wins after 9 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "No. 69: A Step into the Snare"?

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+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. 68: Smashing the Cup at HongmenNext puzzle: No. 70: Kite Soars to the Heavens →

Nearby puzzles

More from Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570) →

Languages: English · Tiếng Việt · 简体中文 · 繁體中文