No. 13: Eyes on the Rushing Torrent

"No. 13: Eyes on the Rushing Torrent" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570). Red moves first and wins in 3 moves; the key first move is R3=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 Chariots, a Horse, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red R3=5 (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.
1. Black E3-5 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
1. Black E3-5
2. Red P6=5 (check, sacrifices the Soldier)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
2. Black K5+1 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
2. Black K5+1
3. Red R7+8 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Red R7+8

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 1 variation. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 2: K5=4 3. H6+8# Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 3 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "No. 13: Eyes on the Rushing Torrent"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

3 moves. The main line is shown above; alternative defences are covered in the variations section.

What is the key move?

The first move R3=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. 12: Tumbling Ape Drinks from the Stream Next puzzle: No. 14: Lone Deer Calls in the Marsh →

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