No. 23: Pearl Lost in the Vast Sea
"No. 23: Pearl Lost in the Vast Sea" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570). Red moves first and wins in 7 moves; the key first move is R3+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 Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 2 Cannons, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 2 Cannons, 3 Soldiers.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red R3+3Why it works
- 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.
1. Black -R-71. Black -R-7 - 2. Red H2+42. Black K5+1
2. Black K5+1 - 3. Red R6+2Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out for3. Black K5+13. Black K5+1 - 4. Red R6=5Why it worksWhat to watch out for
- Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
4. Black K5-14. Black K5-1 - 5. Red H4-65. Black K5+1
5. Black K5+1 - 6. Red H6+76. Black K5-1
6. Black K5-1 - 7. Red C8+6Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for7. Red C8+6
Variations and alternative defences
The source manual records 3 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.
- Variation 1, from move 5: K5-1 6. H6+7+ K5+1 7. C8+6# Try it on the board
- Variation 2, from move 2: K5=6 3. R6+3+ K6+1 4. R6-1+ K6-1 5. C8+7# Try it on the board
- Variation 3, from move 1: K5+1 2. R6+2+ K5=4 3. H2+4+ K4=5 4. H4-6+ Try it on the board
Final position
Red wins after 7 moves. The General has no legal move.
Questions about this puzzle
Who moves first in "No. 23: Pearl Lost in the Vast Sea"?
Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570).
How many moves does the solution take?
7 moves. The main line is shown above; alternative defences are covered in the variations section.
What is the key move?
The first move R3+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. 20: Curb the Strong, Aid the Weak
- No. 21: Perfect to the Very End
- No. 22: Passing the Exam, Longing for Home
- No. 24: Faithful Steed Saves Its Master
- No. 25: Danger at One's Own Table
- No. 26: Repaying Kindness Beyond Death
More from Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570) →
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