No. 50: The Qin Deer Breaks Loose
"No. 50: The Qin Deer Breaks Loose" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570). Red moves first and wins in 8 moves; the key first move is C7+5. 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 Chariot, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red C7+5Why 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 for1. Black A4-51. Black A4-5 - 2. Red R6-1Why 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 K5=42. Black K5=4 - 3. Red H6-8Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out for3. Black K4=53. Black K4=5 - 4. Red H8-7Why 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 for4. Black K5=44. Black K5=4 - 5. Red H7-5Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out for5. Black K4=55. Black K4=5 - 6. Red H5+3Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
- Wins material: takes the Soldier.
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for6. Black K5=46. Black K5=4 - 7. Red H3-5Why 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 for7. Black K4=57. Black K4=5 - 8. Red H2+3Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for8. Red H2+3
Final position
Red wins after 8 moves. The General has no legal move.
Questions about this puzzle
Who moves first in "No. 50: The Qin Deer Breaks Loose"?
Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570).
How many moves does the solution take?
8 moves. The main line is shown above; alternative defences are covered in the variations section.
What is the key move?
The first move C7+5 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. 47: Frontier Guard Asks Leave to Return
- No. 48: Sleeping on Brushwood, Tasting Gall
- No. 49: Striding Alone from the Camp
- No. 51: Alighting to Kneel in Homage
- No. 52: Carrying Snow to Fill a Well
- No. 53: Opening the Window to Invite the Moon
More from Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570) →
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