Golden Cat Catches the Mouse

"Golden Cat Catches the Mouse" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 23 moves; the key first move is R5=8. 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, a Chariot, a Soldier. Black has a General, a Advisor, a Elephant, 5 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R5=8 (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.
1. Black +P=5 (check, the only legal reply)
1. Black +P=5
2. Red K5=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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black K5=6
2. Black K5=6
3. Red R8+7 (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 K6+1
3. Black K6+1
4. Red R8-4 (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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black K6-1
4. Black K6-1
5. 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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black K6=5
5. Black K6=5
6. Red R8=5 (check)
6. Black K5=6
6. Black K5=6
7. Red R5=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black K6=5
7. Black K6=5
8. Red R2+4 (check)
8. Black K5+1
8. Black K5+1
9. Red R2-1 (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.
9. Black K5-1
9. Black K5-1
10. Red P4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black K5=6
10. Black K5=6
11. Red R2+1 (check)
11. Black K6+1
11. Black K6+1
12. Red R2-2 (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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black K6-1
12. Black K6-1
13. Red R2=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.
13. Black K6=5
13. Black K6=5
14. Red R4=1 (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 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black K5=6
14. Black K5=6
15. Red R1+2 (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.
15. Black K6+1
15. Black K6+1
16. Red R1-4 (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 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black K6-1
16. Black K6-1
17. 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 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black K6=5
17. Black K6=5
18. Red R1=5 (check)
18. Black K5=6
18. Black K5=6
19. Red R5-3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black P1=2
19. Black P1=2
20. Red E3-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Black P2=3
20. Black P2=3
21. Red E1-3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
21. Black P7=8
21. Black P7=8
22. Red E3+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
22. Black P8=7
22. Black P8=7
23. Red E1-3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
23. Red E1-3

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.

1. Black +P=5
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R8+7. 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 R8+7. 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 P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8+7. Try it on the board
2. Black K5=6
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8+7. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R8+7. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8+7. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black K6-1
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=4. Try it on the board
5. Black K6=5
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R8+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R8+4. Try it on the board
6. Black K5=6
- If Black plays A4-5 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
7. Black K6=5
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 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 P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black K5+1
- If Black plays E9-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black K5=6
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 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 P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black K6+1
- If Black plays E9-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black K6-1
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=4. Try it on the board
14. Black K5=6
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+2. Try it on the board
16. Black K6-1
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
17. Black K6=5
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+4. Try it on the board
18. Black K5=6
- If Black plays A4-5 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
19. Black P1=2
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 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 P1+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
20. Black P2=3
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 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 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
21. Black P7=8
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 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 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
22. Black P8=7
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 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 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

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Golden Cat Catches the Mouse"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R5=8 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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