Pipes and Chimes in Harmony

"Pipes and Chimes in Harmony" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 17 moves; the key first move is R1=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 Elephant, a Chariot, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R1=5 (check, 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 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
1. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K5=4
2. Red R5-1 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black C4+5 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black C4+5
3. Red R5+8 (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.
3. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black K4+1
4. Red C1+8 (check)
4. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K4+1
5. Red R5=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.
5. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black K4=5
6. Red E3-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black C4=9
6. Black C4=9
7. Red R6=5 (check)
7. Black K5=6
7. Black K5=6
8. Red P4=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black C9+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
8. Black C9+1
9. Red E5-3 (sacrifices the Elephant)
Why it works–
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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P6=7 (captures the Elephant, check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
9. Black P6=7
10. Red R5-9 (sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works–
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 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black C9=5 (captures the Chariot)
10. Black C9=5
11. Red C1-1 (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 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black K6=5
11. Black K6=5
12. Red -P+1 (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
12. Black K5-1
13. Red -P=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black H3+4
13. Black H3+4
14. Red -P=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black K5=4
14. Black K5=4
15. Red K6=5 (captures the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black H4+5
15. Black H4+5
16. Red P4=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black P3=4
16. Black P3=4
17. Red P2=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black P7=8
17. Black P7=8

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 K5=4
- If Black plays R5-1 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3+5 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+9. Try it on the board
2. Black C4+5
- 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=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 E3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black K4+1
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+9. Try it on the board
4. Black K4+1
- If Black plays H3+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black C4=9
- 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 C4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black K5=6
- If Black plays H3+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black C9+1
- 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=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 C9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black P6=7
- If Black plays P6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black C9=5
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black K6=5
- If Black plays C5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with -P+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5-1 instead: Red mates immediately with -P+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5-2 instead: Red mates immediately with -P+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5-3 instead: Red mates immediately with -P+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5-4 instead: Red mates immediately with -P+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5-5 instead: Red mates immediately with -P+1. Try it on the board
13. Black H3+4
- If Black plays C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black K5=4
- If Black plays C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black H4+5
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=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 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 E3-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
16. Black P3=4
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=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 P3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E3-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black P7=8
- If Black plays P7=6 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
- If Black plays E3-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E3-1 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 "Pipes and Chimes in Harmony"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R1=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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