No. 51: Alighting to Kneel in Homage

"No. 51: Alighting to Kneel in Homage" 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 C7+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, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Cannon, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red C7+2 (check)
1. Black A4+5 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black A4+5
2. Red R4+3 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
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 K5=6 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
2. Black K5=6
3. Red C7-1 (check)
3. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black K6+1
4. 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.
4. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K6+1
5. Red R9=4 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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 for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
5. Black A5-6 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
5. Black A5-6
6. Red C7-1 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Red C7-1

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 A4+5
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
2. Black K5=6
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with C7-1. Try it on the board
3. Black K6+1
- If Black plays A5-4 instead: Red mates immediately with R9=6. 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. 51: Alighting to Kneel in Homage"?

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 C7+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.

← Previous puzzle: No. 50: The Qin Deer Breaks Loose Next puzzle: No. 52: Carrying Snow to Fill a Well →

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