Climbing High on Double Ninth

"Climbing High on Double Ninth" 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 R2+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, 2 Cannons, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R2+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
1. Black E5-7
2. Red +C=5 (check)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black A5-6
2. Black A5-6
3. 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.
3. Black K5+1
3. Black K5+1
4. Red R1=9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black E1+3
4. Black E1+3
5. Red R2-2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black K5=6
5. Black K5=6
6. Red C5-3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black P4=5 (check, threatens mate next move)
6. Black P4=5
7. Red C5-3 (captures the Soldier, sacrifices the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black P6=5 (captures the Cannon, check, threatens mate next move)
7. Black P6=5
8. Red K5=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 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black P5=6 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
8. Black P5=6
9. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black A6+5
9. Black A6+5
10. Red R2-6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black A5+6 (captures the Horse)
10. Black A5+6
11. Red R2=4 (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 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black R2=6 (captures the Chariot)
11. Black R2=6
12. Red R9-3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black R6-2
12. Black R6-2

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
2. Black A5-6
- If Black plays A5+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black E1+3
- If Black plays C1-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black K5=6
- If Black plays C1-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black P4=5
- If Black plays C1-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black P6=5
- If Black plays C1=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black P5=6
- If Black plays C1-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-2 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-3 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+1. Try it on the board
9. Black A6+5
- If Black plays C1-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black A5+6
- If Black plays C1-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black R2=6
- If Black plays C1=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black R6-2
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=7 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 "Climbing High on Double Ninth"?

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 R2+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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