Snow Blocks the Blue Pass

"Snow Blocks the Blue Pass" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 14 moves; the key first move is P8=7. 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, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red P8=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
1. Black R3=1 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black R3=1
2. Red C3+2 (check, sacrifices the Cannon, 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 Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
2. Black E5-7 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
2. Black E5-7
3. Red R2=9 (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 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
3. Black C7+1 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
3. Black C7+1
4. Red A4+5 (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 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Advisor stands where it can be captured.
4. Black P6=7 (check)
4. Black P6=7
5. Red A5+4 (captures the Horse)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R1+2 (captures the Chariot)
5. Black R1+2
6. Red P7+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R1=8
6. Black R1=8
7. Red P5=4 (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 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black E7+5
7. Black E7+5
8. Red H2+4 (check, sacrifices the Horse, 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 for
Gives up the Horse; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
8. Black R8=6 (captures the Horse)
8. Black R8=6
9. Red P4+1 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
9. Black P7=6
9. Black P7=6
10. Red P4=5 (captures the Elephant)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black C7-5
10. Black C7-5
11. Red P5=4 (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 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black C7=5
11. Black C7=5
12. Red P4+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black C5+1
12. Black C5+1
13. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black C5=4
13. Black C5=4
14. 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.
14. 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 R3=1
- If Black plays P6+1 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 C7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black C7+1
- If Black plays P6+1 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 C7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-1 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-2 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
4. Black P6=7
- If Black plays C7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-1 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-2 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-3 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
5. Black R1+2
- If Black plays C7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5+6 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+4. Try it on the board
6. Black R1=8
- If Black plays C7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black E7+5
- If Black plays C7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
8. Black R8=6
- If Black plays A5+6 instead: Red mates immediately with P7=6. Try it on the board
9. Black P7=6
- If Black plays C7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5-7 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5+7 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
10. Black C7-5
- If Black plays C7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black C7=5
- 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 P6+1. 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 C7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
12. Black C5+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 C5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
13. Black C5=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 C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=8 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 "Snow Blocks the Blue Pass"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move P8=7 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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