Moth Flies Into the Flame

"Moth Flies Into the Flame" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 19 moves; the key first move is C4+1. 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, 4 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse, 2 Cannons, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red C4+1 (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 R3=6 (check, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
2. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K4=5
3. Red R6+3 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
3. Black R4-6 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
3. Black R4-6
4. Red C3+4 (captures the Horse, 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 Horse.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Black K5=6 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
4. Black K5=6
5. Red C3=6 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black C9=5 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
5. Black C9=5
6. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black C6=4 (captures the Soldier, check, the General has no escape square)
6. Black C6=4
7. Red +P=6 (captures the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black C5=4
7. Black C5=4
8. Red C6=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black P1=2
8. Black P1=2
9. Red C7+2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P2=3
9. Black P2=3
10. Red C7=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black P3=4 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
10. Black P3=4
11. Red K6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black C4=5 (check, the only legal reply)
11. Black C4=5
12. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black P4+1
12. Black P4+1
13. Red C5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black P4=5 (captures the Soldier)
13. Black P4=5
14. Red P1=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black P5+1
14. Black P5+1
15. Red P2=3 (check)
15. Black K6-1
15. Black K6-1
16. Red C6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black P5=4
16. Black P5=4
17. Red C5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black C5=4 (check)
17. Black C5=4
18. 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.
18. Black P4=5
18. Black P4=5
19. Red C6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black K6-1
19. Black K6-1

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 E5+7
- If Black plays E5+3 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+4. Try it on the board
2. Black K4=5
- If Black plays R4-3 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=4 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+4. Try it on the board
3. Black R4-6
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+4. Try it on the board
5. Black C9=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 P6=5 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
- If Black plays E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black C6=4
- 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 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
- If Black plays E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black C5=4
- 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 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
- If Black plays E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black P1=2
- 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 P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E7-9 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
9. Black P2=3
- 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 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 E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black P3=4
- 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 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 E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black C4=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 P6=5 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
12. Black P4+1
- 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 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 E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black P4=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 P6=5 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 E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black P5+1
- 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 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 E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black K6-1
- If Black plays K6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
16. Black P5=4
- 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 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 E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black C5=4
- 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 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
18. Black P4=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 P6=5 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 E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black K6-1
- 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 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

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Moth Flies Into the Flame"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move C4+1 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: Greasing the Chariot, Feeding the Horses Next puzzle: Fallen Blossoms Form a Brocade →

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