Riding to Recommend a Minister

"Riding to Recommend a Minister" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 11 moves; the key first move is P5+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 Advisor, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 4 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 4 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red P5+1 (check, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
1. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K4+1
2. Red P4=5 (check, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
2. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K4+1
3. Red +R=6 (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.
3. Black R4-5 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
3. Black R4-5
4. Red A4-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Advisor stands where it can be captured.
4. Black R4+5 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black R4+5
5. Red R5=6 (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.
5. Black R4-4 (captures the Chariot)
5. Black R4-4
6. Red H1+3 (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 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black E5+7
6. Black E5+7
7. Red H3-4 (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 K4=5
7. Black K4=5
8. Red H4-6 (captures the Chariot, check)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
8. Black K5-1 (captures the Soldier)
8. Black K5-1
9. Red H6-4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P2=3
9. Black P2=3
10. Red P9=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black P3=4
10. Black P3=4
11. Red A5+6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Red A5+6

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 K4+1
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black K4+1
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black R4+5
- If Black plays P2+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black E5+7
- If Black plays P2+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black K5-1
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black P2=3
- If Black plays P2+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black P3=4
- If Black plays P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Riding to Recommend a Minister"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Xinwu Endgame Collection.

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move P5+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.

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