Digging a Channel to Draw Water

"Digging a Channel to Draw Water" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 18 moves; the key first move is C2+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, a Elephant, a Chariot, 2 Cannons, a Soldier. Black has a General, a Chariot, 5 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red C2+6 (check, sacrifices the Cannon, 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 for
Gives up the Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black R6=8 (captures the Cannon)
1. Black R6=8
2. Red C3-2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
2. Black +P=4 (check)
2. Black +P=4
3. Red C3=6 (captures the Soldier, check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black P4=5
3. Black P4=5
4. Red C6+7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black P6=5
4. Black P6=5
5. Red E1-3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R8=6 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black R8=6
6. Red P5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
6. Black R6=7 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black R6=7
7. Red E3+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black R7=5
7. Black R7=5
8. Red R1+2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black R5+5 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black R5+5
9. Red R1=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black K4=5
9. Black K4=5
10. Red C6=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 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
10. Black R5=4 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
10. Black R5=4
11. Red R6-1 (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 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black P3=4 (captures the Chariot)
11. Black P3=4
12. Red C5-7 (captures the Soldier, check)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black K5=4
12. Black K5=4
13. Red E1+3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black P4+1
13. Black P4+1
14. Red C5=6 (check)
14. Black P4=3
14. Black P4=3
15. Red P4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black P1=2
15. Black P1=2
16. Red K6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black P2=3
16. Black P2=3
17. Red C6-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black P5=6
17. Black P5=6
18. Red K5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Red K5+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 R6=8
- If Black plays R6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6+2 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6+3 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6+4 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6+5 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6+6 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+6. Try it on the board
2. Black +P=4
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 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=2 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
3. Black P4=5
- If Black plays P4=3 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
4. Black P6=5
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 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 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
5. Black R8=6
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 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 +P=4 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
6. Black R6=7
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 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 +P=4 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
7. Black R7=5
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 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 +P=4 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
8. Black R5+5
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 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 +P=4 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
9. Black K4=5
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 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 +P=4 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
10. Black R5=4
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+4. 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: Red mates immediately with R6+4. 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 -P+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+4. Try it on the board
11. Black P3=4
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+5. 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: Red mates immediately with R6+5. 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 -P+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+5. Try it on the board
12. Black K5=4
- 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 P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black P4+1
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 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 K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black P4=3
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black P1=2
- If Black plays P1+1 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
- 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
16. Black P2=3
- 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
- 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 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
17. Black P5=6
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=2 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=2 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

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Digging a Channel to Draw Water"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move C2+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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