Brocade Screens Face Off

"Brocade Screens Face Off" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 17 moves; the key first move is -R=4. Below you will find the full solution, what each move achieves, where it could go wrong, and the alternative defences.

Solve this puzzle on ChessZing →

Free, in the browser, no download.

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Chariots, 2 Cannons, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red -R=4 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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 Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
1. Black R5=6 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
1. Black R5=6
2. Red -A+5 (captures the Horse)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Advisor stands where it can be captured.
2. Black E5-7
2. Black E5-7
3. Red P2=3 (captures the Elephant, check, sacrifices the Soldier, 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.
3. Black C5=7 (captures the Soldier)
3. Black C5=7
4. Red C1=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
4. Black -R-5
4. Black -R-5
5. Red R1+6 (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 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black E7-9
5. Black E7-9
6. Red R1-2 (captures the Elephant, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
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.
6. Black +R+1 (captures the Cannon, check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
6. Black +R+1
7. Red C8=4 (captures the Chariot, check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
7. Black R6=9 (captures the Chariot)
7. Black R6=9
8. Red A5+4 (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.
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.
8. Black R9=6
8. Black R9=6
9. Red C4+7 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black C7+8
9. Black C7+8
10. Red A4-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Advisor stands where it can be captured.
10. Black C7=6
10. Black C7=6
11. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black C6=7
11. Black C6=7
12. Red C4-6 (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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black C7=5 (captures the Advisor)
12. Black C7=5
13. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black C5-2
13. Black C5-2
14. Red C4=8 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black P1=2
14. Black P1=2
15. Red C8+3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black P2=3 (threatens mate next move)
15. Black P2=3
16. Red C8=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black C5=2 (threatens mate next move)
16. Black C5=2
17. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black C2+2
17. Black C2+2

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 R5=6
- If Black plays R6-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black E5-7
- If Black plays P1=2 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 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 P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black -R-5
- If Black plays P1=2 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 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 P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black E7-9
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black +R+1
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black R6=9
- If Black plays R6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
9. Black C7+8
- If Black plays P1=2 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 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 P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black C7=6
- If Black plays P1=2 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 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 P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black C6=7
- If Black plays P1=2 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 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 P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black C7=5
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with A5+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2+1 instead: Red mates immediately with A5+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: Red mates immediately with A5+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: Red mates immediately with A5+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with A5+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black C5-2
- If Black plays P1=2 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 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 P4+1 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
14. Black P1=2
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 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 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
15. Black P2=3
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 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 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
16. Black C5=2
- If Black plays P3=4 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 P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 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 C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black C2+2
- If Black plays P3=4 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 P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 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 C2=3 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 "Brocade Screens Face Off"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move -R=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.

← Previous puzzle: Chancellor Drives the Horses Next puzzle: Subduing the Distant Court →