No. 53: Opening the Window to Invite the Moon
"No. 53: Opening the Window to Invite the Moon" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570). Red moves first and wins in 4 moves; the key first move is R7+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, a Advisor, 2 Chariots, 2 Cannons. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 2 Horses, a Cannon, a Soldier.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red R7+3Why it works
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
- 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.
1. Black E1-31. Black E1-3 - 2. Red R9=6Why 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.
2. Black K4+12. Black K4+1 - 3. Red C3=6Why 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 for3. Black A4-53. Black A4-5 - 4. Red C5=6Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for4. Red C5=6
Variations and alternative defences
The source manual records 1 variation. Each branch starts from the move number shown.
- Variation 1, from move 1: E5-3 2. C3+5+ A6+5 3. R9=6+ K4+1 4. C5=6# Try it on the board
Final position
Red wins after 4 moves. The General has no legal move.
Questions about this puzzle
Who moves first in "No. 53: Opening the Window to Invite the Moon"?
Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570).
How many moves does the solution take?
4 moves. The main line is shown above; alternative defences are covered in the variations section.
What is the key move?
The first move R7+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. 50: The Qin Deer Breaks Loose
- No. 51: Alighting to Kneel in Homage
- No. 52: Carrying Snow to Fill a Well
- No. 54: Five Tigers Backed by the Mountain
- No. 55: Victory with Backs to the River
- No. 56: All Rivers Flow to the Sea
More from Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570) →
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