Riding Alone a Thousand Miles

"Riding Alone a Thousand Miles" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 28 moves; the key first move is P5+1. 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, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Advisor, a Elephant, a Horse, 4 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red P5+1 (check)
1. Black K5-1
1. Black K5-1
2. Red P5+1 (check)
2. Black K5-1
2. Black K5-1
3. Red R5=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black P7=8
3. Black P7=8
4. Red R2+1 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black P4=5 (check, the only legal reply)
4. Black P4=5
5. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black P5=4 (check, threatens mate next move)
5. Black P5=4
6. Red K6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black P4=5 (check, the only legal reply)
6. Black P4=5
7. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black A4-5
7. Black A4-5
8. Red R2+5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black H7-6
8. Black H7-6
9. Red R2=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black E9-7
9. Black E9-7
10. Red P7+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black P1+1
10. Black P1+1
11. Red P7+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black P1+1
11. Black P1+1
12. Red P7+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black P1=2
12. Black P1=2
13. Red P7=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black A5+6
13. Black A5+6
14. Red P5+1 (check, sacrifices the Soldier)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
14. Black A6-5 (captures the Soldier)
14. Black A6-5
15. Red R4-2 (captures the Horse)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black P2=3
15. Black P2=3
16. Red R4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black P3+1
16. Black P3+1
17. Red P6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black K5=6
17. Black K5=6
18. Red R5=4 (check)
18. Black A5+6
18. Black A5+6
19. Red P6=5 (sacrifices the Soldier)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black E7+5 (captures the Soldier)
19. Black E7+5
20. Red R4+1 (captures the Advisor, check, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
20. Black K6=5
20. Black K6=5
21. Red R4=5 (captures the Elephant, check, 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.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
21. Black K5=6
21. Black K5=6
22. Red R5=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
22. Black P3=4
22. Black P3=4
23. Red R7=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
23. Black P4=3
23. Black P4=3
24. Red R6-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
24. Black K6=5
24. Black K6=5
25. Red R6=5 (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.
25. Black K5=6
25. Black K5=6
26. Red R5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
26. Black K6=5
26. Black K6=5
27. Red R6=5 (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.
27. Black K5=6
27. Black K5=6
28. Red R5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
28. Red R5=6

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 K5-1
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black K5-1
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black P7=8
- 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 P6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black P4=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 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 H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black P5=4
- If Black plays P5+1 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 H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black P4=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 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 H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black A4-5
- If Black plays P5+1 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 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 H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black H7-6
- If Black plays P5+1 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 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 H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black E9-7
- If Black plays P5+1 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 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 P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-8 instead: Red mates immediately with P5+1. Try it on the board
10. Black P1+1
- If Black plays P5+1 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 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 H6-8 instead: Red mates immediately with P5+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6+8 instead: Red mates immediately with P5+1. Try it on the board
11. Black P1+1
- If Black plays P5+1 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 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 H6-8 instead: Red mates immediately with P5+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6+8 instead: Red mates immediately with P5+1. Try it on the board
12. Black P1=2
- If Black plays P5+1 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 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 P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-8 instead: Red mates immediately with P5+1. Try it on the board
13. Black A5+6
- If Black plays P5+1 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 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 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 A6-5
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
15. Black P2=3
- If Black plays P5+1 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 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 P2+1 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
16. Black P3+1
- If Black plays P5+1 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 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=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
17. Black K5=6
- If Black plays P5+1 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 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
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black A5+6
- If Black plays K6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black E7+5
- If Black plays P5+1 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 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
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
22. Black P3=4
- If Black plays P5+1 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 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
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
23. Black P4=3
- If Black plays P5+1 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 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 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
24. Black K6=5
- If Black plays P5+1 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 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
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
26. Black K6=5
- If Black plays P5+1 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 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
- If Black plays P3=4 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 "Riding Alone a Thousand Miles"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move P5+1 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: Meeting on a Narrow Road Next puzzle: Single-Handedly Holding Off the Jin Army →

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