Crosswise Cloud Cuts the Ridge

"Crosswise Cloud Cuts the Ridge" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 11 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, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Cannon, 3 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 C9=4 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black C9=4
2. Red R6-4 (captures the Chariot, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
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.
2. Black P3=4 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
2. Black P3=4
3. Red R2=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black P5+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
3. Black P5+1
4. Red R5-5 (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 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black P6=5 (captures the Chariot, check, the only legal reply)
4. Black P6=5
5. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black C4=8
5. Black C4=8
6. Red P4+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 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black C8-2
6. Black C8-2
7. Red P4=3 (captures the Elephant)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black P4+1 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black P4+1
8. Red C2-4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black P4=5 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
8. Black P4=5
9. Red C2=5 (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 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P5+1 (captures the Cannon, check)
9. Black P5+1
10. Red K4=5 (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 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black C8+2
10. Black C8+2
11. Red P3=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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black C8=5
11. Black C8=5

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 C9=4
- If Black plays R4-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black P3=4
- If Black plays P3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+6. 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: Red mates immediately with R6+6. 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 P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black P5+1
- 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 P6=5
- 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 C4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black C4=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 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 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
6. Black C8-2
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. 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 C8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
7. Black P4+1
- 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 C8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with C2+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black P4=5
- 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 P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with C2+9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black P5+1
- If Black plays P5=6 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 C8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black C8+2
- If Black plays C8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black C8=5
- If Black plays C8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=4 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=2 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Crosswise Cloud Cuts the Ridge"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

11 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: Pink Peach, Green Willow Next puzzle: Seizing the Dragon Underwater →

Nearby puzzles

Oriole Darting Through Willow Leaves
25 moves
Lost on the Way to Peach Blossom Spring
18 moves
Pink Peach, Green Willow
10 moves
Seizing the Dragon Underwater
9 moves
Beauty That Sinks Fish and Drops Geese
16 moves
Ripples After the Wave
22 moves