No. 41: Subduing the Distant Court

"No. 41: Subduing the Distant Court" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570). Red moves first and wins in 9 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, 2 Advisors, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Cannon. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red C7=5 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black A5+4 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black A5+4
2. Red R4=5 (check, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black K5=6 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K5=6
3. Red R6=4 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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 for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
3. Black K6+1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
3. Black K6+1
4. Red H7+6 (captures the Advisor, check)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Black K6-1 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K6-1
5. Red R5=4 (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.
5. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black K6=5
6. Red H6-5 (check, 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 forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Black A4-5 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black A4-5
7. Red H5+3 (check, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
7. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black K5=4
8. Red R4=6 (check, 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.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
8. Black A5+4 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black A5+4
9. Red R6+2 (captures the Advisor, checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
9. Red R6+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 A5+4
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with R6=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5+6 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E7+5 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+1. Try it on the board
2. Black K5=6
- If Black plays +A-5 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays -A+5 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black K6-1
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=4. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 9 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "No. 41: Subduing the Distant Court"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

9 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.

← Previous puzzle: No. 40: Decisions from the Ninefold Palace Next puzzle: No. 42: Stars That Never Meet →

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