Mandarin Ducks Play in the Water

"Mandarin Ducks Play in the Water" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 24 moves; the key first move is R2+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, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R2+5 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
1. Black E5-7 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black E5-7
2. Red R2=3 (captures the Elephant, check, 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.
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 forNo real drawback in this position.
2. Black A5-6 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black A5-6
3. Red H3+4 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
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.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black K5+1 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black K5+1
4. Red H4-6 (check)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K5=4
5. Red R3-1 (check)
5. Black A4+5 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black A4+5
6. Red R3=5 (captures the Advisor, check)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
6. Black K4-1 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black K4-1
7. Red R5+1 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
Why 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.
7. Black K4=5 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
7. Black K4=5
8. Red H6+7 (check, sacrifices the Horse)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Gives up the Horse; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
8. Black C3-7 (captures the Horse, threatens mate next move)
8. Black C3-7
9. Red R1=5 (check)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
9. Black K5=4
10. Red R5-4 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black C3=6 (check, the General has no escape square)
10. Black C3=6
11. Red R5=4 (sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black C6+7 (captures the Chariot)
11. Black C6+7
12. Red C3-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black E3+1 (captures the Soldier)
12. Black E3+1
13. Red C3=6 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black C6=8
13. Black C6=8
14. Red C6+6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black C8-3
14. Black C8-3
15. Red E3-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
15. Black K4=5
16. Red C6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black K5+1
16. Black K5+1
17. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black K5+1
17. Black K5+1
18. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black C8-4
18. Black C8-4
19. Red C5-6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black C8=4
19. Black C8=4
20. Red K6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Black A6+5 (threatens mate next move)
20. Black A6+5
21. Red C5+8 (captures the Advisor, sacrifices the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
21. Black K5-1 (captures the Cannon)
21. Black K5-1
22. Red E1+3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
22. Black P6+1
22. Black P6+1
23. Red E3-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
23. Black P6=5 (check)
23. Black P6=5
24. Red K6-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
24. Red K6-1

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 E5-7
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black K5=4
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+2. Try it on the board
5. Black A4+5
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black K4-1
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black K4=5
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black C3-7
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+3. Try it on the board
9. Black K5=4
- If Black plays C3=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E3+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black C3=6
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 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 C3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black C6+7
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 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 C6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black E3+1
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black C6=8
- If Black plays C6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black C8-3
- If Black plays C8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black K4=5
- 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 C8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
16. Black K5+1
- 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 C8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black K5+1
- 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 C8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black C8-4
- 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 C8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black C8=4
- 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 E1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E1+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
20. Black A6+5
- 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 E1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E1+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
21. Black K5-1
- 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 E1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E1+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
22. Black P6+1
- 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 E1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E1+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
23. Black P6=5
- 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 E1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E1+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=2 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 "Mandarin Ducks Play in the Water"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R2+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.

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