Lifting the Siege at Niutang

"Lifting the Siege at Niutang" 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 R2+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 Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, a Soldier. Black has a General, a Advisor, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 5 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R2+5 (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 R2=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.
2. Black A5-6 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black A5-6
3. Red R3-8 (captures the Chariot, check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black A6+5
3. Black A6+5
4. Red R3=5 (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.
4. Black A5+4 (captures the Horse)
4. Black A5+4
5. Red K4=5 (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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black P6=5
5. Black P6=5
6. Red R5=2 (captures the Soldier, 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
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black H4-6 (check)
6. Black H4-6
7. Red R2=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black P3=4
7. Black P3=4
8. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black +P=5
8. Black +P=5
9. Red R4=3 (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 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black K4=5
9. Black K4=5
10. Red C1-9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black P4+1
10. Black P4+1
11. Red P7=6 (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 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black A4-5
11. Black A4-5
12. Red R3+7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black A5-6
12. Black A5-6
13. Red R3-7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black A6+5
13. Black A6+5
14. Red R3+7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black A5-6
14. Black A5-6
15. Red R3-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black H6+8 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
15. Black H6+8
16. Red R3-6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black -P=6 (threatens mate next move)
16. Black -P=6
17. Red R3=2 (captures the Horse)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black P6+1 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
17. Black P6+1
18. Red R2=4 (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 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black P5=6 (captures the Chariot, check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
18. Black P5=6
19. Red K4+1 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Red K4+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 R7-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=4. Try it on the board
3. Black A6+5
- If Black plays R5-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black A5+4
- 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 P8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8=7 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
5. Black P6=5
- If Black plays P3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+8. Try it on the board
6. Black H4-6
- If Black plays P3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H4+6 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+8. Try it on the board
7. Black P3=4
- 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 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 P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black +P=5
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=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 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 -P=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black K4=5
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+8. Try it on the board
10. Black P4+1
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=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
11. Black A4-5
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+8. Try it on the board
12. Black A5-6
- 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 +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=6 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
13. Black A6+5
- 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 +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=6 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
14. Black A5-6
- 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 +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=6 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
15. Black H6+8
- 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 +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=6 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
16. Black -P=6
- 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 +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H8-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H8-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black P6+1
- 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 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 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
18. Black P5=6
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. 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 P2+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Lifting the Siege at Niutang"?

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 R2+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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