No. 3: Ram Caught in the Fence
"No. 3: Ram Caught in the Fence" 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 P3=4. 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, 4 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons, 3 Soldiers.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red P3=4Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
- Wins material: takes the Advisor.
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
- Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for1. Black C4=61. Black C4=6 - 2. Red P6=5Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
- Wins material: takes the Advisor.
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for2. Black K5=42. Black K5=4 - 3. Red P5+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 for3. Black K4+13. Black K4+1 - 4. Red +R=6Why 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.
4. Black H2-44. Black H2-4 - 5. Red H9+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 for5. Black K4+15. Black K4+1 - 6. Red P8=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 for6. Black K4-16. Black K4-1 - 7. Red R8+4Why it works
- 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.
7. Black R2+17. Black R2+1 - 8. Red P7=8Why 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 for8. Black K4+18. Black K4+1 - 9. Red C9+3Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for9. Red C9+3
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.
- 7. Black R2+1
- If Black plays H4-3 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=7. 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. 3: Ram Caught in the Fence"?
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 P3=4 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. 1: Spirit That Swallows the Western Pass
- No. 2: Horse Tramples the Khan's Consort
- No. 4: Good General Secures the Frontier
- No. 5: Han Xin Meets the Han Lord
- No. 6: Fly Rides the Steed's Tail
- No. 7: Spring Thunder Wakes the Insects
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