Pink Peach, Green Willow
"Pink Peach, Green Willow" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 10 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.
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Pieces on the board
Red has a General, 2 Chariots, 2 Cannons, a Soldier. Black has a General, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red -R=6Why it works
- Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for- The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
1. Black C2=41. Black C2=4 - 2. Red R6=4Why it works
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for- Not forcing: the defender has 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black P6+12. Black P6+1 - 3. Red R4-2Why 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 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black P5=63. Black P5=6 - 4. Red K4=5Why it worksWhat to watch out for
- Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black C4=84. Black C4=8 - 5. Red C3+1Why it worksWhat to watch out for
- Not forcing: the defender has 34 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
- The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
5. Black R4-45. Black R4-4 - 6. Red R1=5Why it worksWhat to watch out for
- Not forcing: the defender has 38 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black E7+56. Black E7+5 - 7. Red C3+8Why it worksWhat to watch out for
- Gives up the Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
- Not forcing: the defender has 35 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black E5-77. Black E5-7 - 8. Red P5=4Why it worksWhat to watch out for
- Not forcing: the defender has 38 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black C8-28. Black C8-2 - 9. Red C1=2Why it worksWhat to watch out for
- Not forcing: the defender has 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black R4+49. Black R4+4 - 10. Red R5+2Why it worksWhat to watch out for
- Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Red R5+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 C2=4
- If Black plays R4-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 2. Black P6+1
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-2 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+6. Try it on the board
- 3. Black P5=6
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-2 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
- 4. Black C4=8
- If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 5. Black R4-4
- If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 6. Black E7+5
- 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 R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 7. Black E5-7
- 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 R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 8. Black C8-2
- 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 R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 9. Black R4+4
- 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 R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=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 "Pink Peach, Green Willow"?
Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Xinwu Endgame Collection.
How many moves does the solution take?
10 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.
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