No. 58: Two Sages, Within and Without
"No. 58: Two Sages, Within and Without" 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 R8+3. 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, 2 Cannons. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, a Soldier.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red R8+3Why it works
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
- Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for1. Black A5-41. Black A5-4 - 2. Red C7+52. Black A4+5
2. Black A4+5 - 3. Red C7-2Why it works
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
- Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for3. Black A5-43. Black A5-4 - 4. Red R5+1Why it works
- Wins material: takes the Elephant.
- Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for- Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
4. Black E7+54. Black E7+5 - 5. Red C9=5Why it works
- Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for- Not forcing: the defender has 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black E5+35. Black E5+3 - 6. Red C7=5Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for6. Red C7=5
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 A5-4
- If Black plays E5-3 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=7. Try it on the board
- 2. Black A4+5
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8-1. Try it on the board
- 3. Black A5-4
- If Black plays E5-3 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=7. Try it on the board
- 4. Black E7+5
- If Black plays A6+5 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+2. Try it on the board
- 5. Black E5+3
- If Black plays E5-7 instead: Red mates immediately with C7=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5+7 instead: Red mates immediately with C7=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5-3 instead: Red mates immediately with C7=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A6+5 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+2. 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. 58: Two Sages, Within and Without"?
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 R8+3 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. 55: Victory with Backs to the River
- No. 56: All Rivers Flow to the Sea
- No. 57: Expanding to Fill the Six Directions
- No. 59: Shifting Forms, Appearing and Vanishing
- No. 60: Tiger and Rhino Escape the Cage
- No. 61: Tigers Fight over the Meal
More from Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570) →
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