Seeing Off and Welcoming

"Seeing Off and Welcoming" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 22 moves; the key first move is R1+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 Chariot, 2 Cannons, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Elephant, a Chariot, 2 Horses, a Cannon, 4 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R1+5 (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.
1. Black -H-8 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black -H-8
2. Red R1=2 (captures the Horse, check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
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 H6-7 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black H6-7
3. Red C2=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 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black C6-5 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
3. Black C6-5
4. Red R2-9 (captures the Chariot, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black P9=8 (captures the Chariot)
4. Black P9=8
5. Red C6+1 (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 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black C6=5
5. Black C6=5
6. Red C7=6 (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.
6. Black K4=5
6. Black K4=5
7. Red +C-5 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black -P=3
7. Black -P=3
8. Red -C-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black P3=4
8. Black P3=4
9. Red -C=2 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P4=5 (check)
9. Black P4=5
10. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black P5+1
10. Black P5+1
11. Red C2=8 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black C5-1
11. Black C5-1
12. Red C8+8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black H7+6
12. Black H7+6
13. Red C6+2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black C5=4
13. Black C5=4
14. Red C6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black H6+7
14. Black H6+7
15. Red P8=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black H7+6 (threatens mate next move)
15. Black H7+6
16. Red C5-4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black K5=6
16. Black K5=6
17. Red -P=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black H6+8
17. Black H6+8
18. Red P7=6 (sacrifices the Soldier)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black C4-3 (captures the Soldier, check, the General has no escape square)
18. Black C4-3
19. Red P6+1 (captures the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black H8-7
19. Black H8-7
20. Red C5-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Black H7+5 (threatens mate next move)
20. Black H7+5
21. Red C8-7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
21. Black H5+3 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
21. Black H5+3
22. Red C8=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
22. Red C8=7

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.

2. Black H6-7
- If Black plays H6-5 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=5. Try it on the board
3. Black C6-5
- If Black plays +P=3 instead: Red mates immediately with C7=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=1 instead: Red mates immediately with C7=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with C7=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6-1 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 C6-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black P9=8
- If Black plays +P=3 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 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 -P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black C6=5
- If Black plays +P=3 instead: Red mates immediately with C7=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=1 instead: Red mates immediately with C7=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with C7=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8=7 instead: Red mates immediately with C7=6. 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 -P=3
- If Black plays +P=3 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 P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8=7 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=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black P3=4
- 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 P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8=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
9. Black P4=5
- 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
- If Black plays C5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black P5+1
- 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 P5=6 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 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
11. Black C5-1
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=6 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 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
12. Black H7+6
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=6 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 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
13. Black C5=4
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=6 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 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
14. Black H6+7
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=6 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 C4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black H7+6
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=6 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 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
- If Black plays H7-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
16. Black K5=6
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=6 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 H6-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6+8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black H6+8
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=6 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 H6-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black C4-3
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=6 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 H8-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H8+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H8-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black H8-7
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=6 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 H8-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H8+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H8-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
20. Black H7+5
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=6 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 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
- If Black plays H7-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
21. Black H5+3
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=6 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 H5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H5+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H5-3 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 "Seeing Off and Welcoming"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R1+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.

← Previous puzzle: Surpassing All Peers Next puzzle: Jin and Song Make Peace →

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