No. 39: Burning the Camp at Bowang
"No. 39: Burning the Camp at Bowang" 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 C1+1. 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 Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse, 2 Cannons. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons, a Soldier.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red C1+1Why it works
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
- Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for1. Black H9-81. Black H9-8 - 2. Red R4+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.
- 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.
2. Black A5-62. Black A5-6 - 3. Red C1=3Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
- Wins material: takes the Elephant.
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
- Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for3. Black A6+53. Black A6+5 - 4. Red H3+4Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for4. Red H3+4
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 H9-8
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. 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. 39: Burning the Camp at Bowang"?
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 C1+1 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. 36: Crane Calls from the Deep Marsh
- No. 37: Harm Others to Secure Oneself
- No. 38: A Hundred Schemes, No Way Out
- No. 40: Decisions from the Ninefold Palace
- No. 41: Subduing the Distant Court
- No. 42: Stars That Never Meet
More from Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570) →
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