Red Hare, the Fine Steed

"Red Hare, the Fine Steed" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 24 moves; the key first move is R2+9. 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, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R2+9 (check)
1. Black E5-7 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black E5-7
2. Red H1+2 (check)
2. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K6=5
3. Red R2=3 (captures the Elephant, 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.
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 A5-6 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black A5-6
4. Red H2-4 (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.
4. Black K5+1 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K5+1
5. Red H4-6 (check)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black K5=4
6. Red R3-1 (check)
6. Black A4+5 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black A4+5
7. Red H6+4 (check)
7. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black K4+1
8. Red H4-5 (check, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
8. Black K4-1 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black K4-1
9. Red H5+7 (check)
9. Black K4-1 (threatens mate next move)
9. Black K4-1
10. Red P8=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.
10. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
10. Black K4=5
11. Red R3=5 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
11. Black K5+1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
11. Black K5+1
12. Red R1+3 (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.
12. Black K5-1 (threatens mate next move)
12. Black K5-1
13. Red P7=6 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, 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 for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
13. Black K5=4 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
13. Black K5=4
14. Red R1=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.
14. Black K4=5
14. Black K4=5
15. Red E3+5 (captures the Soldier, sacrifices the Elephant)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Elephant; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black R5-1 (captures the Elephant)
15. Black R5-1
16. Red H7-5 (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 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black A6+5
16. Black A6+5
17. Red H5-7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black P4=3
17. Black P4=3
18. Red E1+3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black R5=7
18. Black R5=7
19. Red R6-4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black P3+1 (threatens mate next move)
19. Black P3+1
20. Red K6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Black P3=4 (threatens mate next move)
20. Black P3=4
21. Red R6-3 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
21. Black R7+2 (check, the only legal reply)
21. Black R7+2
22. Red K5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
22. Black R7-1 (check)
22. Black R7-1
23. Red K5-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
23. Black R7=4 (captures the Chariot)
23. Black R7=4
24. Red E3-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
24. Red E3-5

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 K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black K6=5
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black K5=4
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3-2. Try it on the board
6. Black A4+5
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black K4+1
- If Black plays E7-5 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with P8=7. Try it on the board
8. Black K4-1
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black K4-1
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black K5+1
- If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black R5-1
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
16. Black A6+5
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+4. Try it on the board
17. Black P4=3
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black R5=7
- 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 P3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black P3+1
- 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 R7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
20. Black P3=4
- 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
- If Black plays R7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
21. Black R7+2
- If Black plays R7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
22. Black R7-1
- If Black plays R7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
23. Black R7=4
- If Black plays R7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7-2 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 "Red Hare, the Fine Steed"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R2+9 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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