No. 61: Tigers Fight over the Meal

"No. 61: Tigers Fight over the Meal" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570). Red moves first and wins in 5 moves; the key first move is R8=6. 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, 2 Cannons. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red R8=6 (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 K4+1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
1. Black K4+1
2. Red H2+4 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Horse)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Horse; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
2. Black A5-6 (captures the Horse, threatens mate next move)
2. Black A5-6
3. Red R2+6 (check)
3. Black A6+5 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black A6+5
4. Red R2=5 (captures the Advisor, check, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Black K4-1 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K4-1
5. Red C8+2 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
5. Red C8+2

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 K4+1
- If Black plays R4-7 instead: Red mates immediately with C8+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with C8=5. Try it on the board
2. Black A5-6
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with C8+2. Try it on the board
3. Black A6+5
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with C8+2. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 5 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "No. 61: Tigers Fight over the Meal"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R8=6 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. 60: Tiger and Rhino Escape the Cage Next puzzle: No. 62: Nowhere to Plead One's Case →

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