Greasing the Chariot, Feeding the Horses

"Greasing the Chariot, Feeding the Horses" 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+4. 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 Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 4 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R1+4 (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 C7+2 (check, sacrifices the Cannon, 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 for
Gives up the Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
2. Black E1-3 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
2. Black E1-3
3. Red R1=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 H3+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 R2+3 (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 R3=4 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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 Advisor.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
10. Black A5-6 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
10. Black A5-6
11. Red H7+8 (check, sacrifices the Horse)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Gives up the Horse; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
11. Black R2-7 (captures the Horse, threatens mate next move)
11. Black R2-7
12. Red P8=7 (captures the Elephant, 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.
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
12. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
12. Black K4=5
13. Red R2=8 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black P6=5 (check, the only legal reply)
13. Black P6=5
14. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black P4+1 (threatens mate next move)
14. Black P4+1
15. Red R8-8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black P4=5 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
15. Black P4=5
16. Red R8=5 (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 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black P5+1 (captures the Chariot, check)
16. Black P5+1
17. Red K4+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black P3+1
17. Black P3+1
18. Red P5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black P3=2
18. Black P3=2
19. Red P5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black P1+1
19. Black P1+1
20. Red P6=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Black P2+1
20. Black P2+1
21. Red -P=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
21. Black P2=1 (captures the Soldier)
21. Black P2=1
22. Red P8=9 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
22. Red P8=9

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: 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 R2=4. 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 R2+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 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 R2-7
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black P6=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 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 P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black P4+1
- 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=6 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 P1+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
15. Black P4=5
- 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=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 P3+1 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
16. Black P5+1
- 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 P3+1 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 K5+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
17. Black P3+1
- 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 P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. 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 A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black P3=2
- 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 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 P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black P1+1
- 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 P2+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 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 K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
20. Black P2+1
- 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 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 P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
21. Black P2=1
- 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 P2+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=3 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 K5+1 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 "Greasing the Chariot, Feeding the Horses"?

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+4 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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