Shooting the Halberd at the Camp Gate

"Shooting the Halberd at the Camp Gate" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 20 moves; the key first move is R3=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 Horse, 5 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R3=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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
1. Black P7=6 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black P7=6
2. Red R5-4 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black P3=4
2. Black P3=4
3. Red C3-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
3. Black H9+7
3. Black H9+7
4. Red C7=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black P8=7 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
4. Black P8=7
5. Red R5=3 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black K5=6 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black K5=6
6. Red C6-9 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black P6+1 (check, the only legal reply)
6. Black P6+1
7. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black P6=7 (captures the Chariot)
7. Black P6=7
8. 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.
8. Black P7=6 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black P7=6
9. Red C6=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P6=5 (check, the only legal reply)
9. Black P6=5
10. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black H7-5
10. Black H7-5
11. Red P7=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black +P=4 (check, the only legal reply)
11. Black +P=4
12. Red K6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black H5-4
12. Black H5-4
13. Red P6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black H4-3
13. Black H4-3
14. Red C7=9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black P5+1
14. Black P5+1
15. Red C9+9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black H3-5 (captures the Soldier)
15. Black H3-5
16. Red P6=5 (captures the Horse)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black P5+1
16. Black P5+1
17. Red C9=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black P5=6
17. Black P5=6
18. Red C5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black P6+1
18. Black P6+1
19. Red P5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black P4=3
19. Black P4=3
20. Red K5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Red K5+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 P7=6
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+1. 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=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+1. Try it on the board
2. Black P3=4
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8+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 P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+5. Try it on the board
3. Black H9+7
- 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 P8+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 P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black P8=7
- 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 P8+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 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
5. Black K5=6
- 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 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 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
6. Black P6+1
- 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 H7-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E9-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black P6=7
- 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 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
- If Black plays H7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black P7=6
- If Black plays P7+1 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 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
- If Black plays H7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black P6=5
- 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 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
- If Black plays H7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black H7-5
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=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 H7-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black +P=4
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=6 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
- If Black plays H5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black H5-4
- 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 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
13. Black H4-3
- 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 H4-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H4+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H4-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black P5+1
- 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 H3-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black H3-5
- 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 P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3+5 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
16. Black P5+1
- 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 E9-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E9+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black P5=6
- 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 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 E9-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black P6+1
- 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 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 E9-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black P4=3
- 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 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 E9-7 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 "Shooting the Halberd at the Camp Gate"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R3=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.

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