Pipes and Flutes Flanking the Drum

"Pipes and Flutes Flanking the Drum" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 12 moves; the key first move is -R=6. Below you will find the full solution, what each move achieves, where it could go wrong, and the alternative defences.

Solve this puzzle on ChessZing →

Free, in the browser, no download.

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Chariots, 2 Cannons, a Soldier. Black has a General, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red -R=6 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
1. Black C5=4 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black C5=4
2. Red R6=4 (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.
2. Black P6+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
2. Black P6+1
3. Red R4-2 (captures the Soldier, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
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.
Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black P5=6 (captures the Chariot, check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
3. Black P5=6
4. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black C4=8 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black C4=8
5. Red C3+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 34 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
5. Black R4-2 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black R4-2
6. Red R1=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 38 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black C8+7 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black C8+7
7. Red C1+9 (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.
7. Black E7+9 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black E7+9
8. Red C3+8 (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.
8. Black C8-9 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black C8-9
9. Red P5=6 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
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.
9. Black K4+1 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
9. Black K4+1
10. Red C3=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 33 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black C8=5 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
10. Black C8=5
11. Red R5=6 (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.
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.
11. Black R4-2 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
11. Black R4-2
12. Red C6-4 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Red C6-4

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 C5=4
- If Black plays R4-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black P6+1
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-2 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+6. Try it on the board
3. Black P5=6
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-2 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
4. Black C4=8
- If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black R4-2
- If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black C8+7
- 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 R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black E7+9
- If Black plays C8-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black K4+1
- If Black plays R4-5 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+4. Try it on the board
10. Black C8=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 R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Pipes and Flutes Flanking the Drum"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move -R=6 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: Pipes and Chimes in Harmony Next puzzle: Butterfly Lingers on the Flower →

Nearby puzzles

Moving the Needle to Even the Embroidery
14 moves
Window Ice Breaks the Heat
7 moves
Pipes and Chimes in Harmony
17 moves
Butterfly Lingers on the Flower
9 moves
Rats Fight for the Hole
22 moves
Battle With the River at One's Back
14 moves