Jin and Song Make Peace

"Jin and Song Make Peace" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 21 moves; the key first move is R2+3. 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 Chariot, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Advisor, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 2 Horses, 5 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R2+3 (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 R2-5 (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.
2. Black E7+9 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black E7+9
3. Red R2=6 (captures the Horse, check, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black K4=5
4. Red P3+1 (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.
4. Black A5-6 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black A5-6
5. Red R6+5 (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.
5. Black K5+1 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black K5+1
6. Red P7=6 (check)
6. Black K5+1 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black K5+1
7. Red R6=5 (check)
7. Black K5=6 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black K5=6
8. Red R5=4 (captures the Advisor, check, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
8. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black K6=5
9. Red R4=5 (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=6 (threatens mate next move)
9. Black K5=6
10. Red R5-8 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black H5-7
10. Black H5-7
11. Red C1=7 (captures the Elephant)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black P6=5 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
11. Black P6=5
12. Red R5+1 (captures the Soldier, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
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 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black H7-5 (captures the Chariot)
12. Black H7-5
13. Red K6=5 (captures the Horse)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black +P=6 (check)
13. Black +P=6
14. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
14. Black K6=5
15. Red C7-7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black P6+1
15. Black P6+1
16. Red P3=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black P7+1
16. Black P7+1
17. Red C7+7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black P7+1
17. Black P7+1
18. Red C7=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black P7+1
18. Black P7+1
19. Red P2=1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black P7=6
19. Black P7=6
20. Red P1=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Black K5=6
20. Black K5=6
21. Red P6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
21. Red P6=5

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: Red mates immediately with R2=4. Try it on the board
2. Black E7+9
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black K4=5
- If Black plays A5+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black K5+1
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R6=4. Try it on the board
7. Black K5=6
- If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black H5-7
- 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 P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=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=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black P6=5
- 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 P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black H7-5
- 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 P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black +P=6
- 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 P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black K6=5
- 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 P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=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
15. Black P6+1
- 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 P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=4 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
16. Black P7+1
- 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 P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=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
17. Black P7+1
- 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 P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=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
18. Black P7+1
- 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 P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=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
19. Black P7=6
- 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 P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=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
20. Black K5=6
- 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 P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=7 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 "Jin and Song Make Peace"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R2+3 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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