Playing the Zither to Repel the Enemy

"Playing the Zither to Repel the Enemy" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 15 moves; the key first move is E3-1. 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, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, 2 Cannons, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red E3-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Elephant stands where it can be captured.
1. Black +R=8
1. Black +R=8
2. Red E1-3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black R8=7 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black R8=7
3. Red E3+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Elephant stands where it can be captured.
3. Black R9=7
3. Black R9=7
4. Red R4=3 (captures the Chariot, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black R7-1 (captures the Chariot)
4. Black R7-1
5. Red R6-1 (captures the Advisor, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black K5=6
5. Black K5=6
6. Red R6-3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R7=6
6. Black R7=6
7. Red P7=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black A5+4
7. Black A5+4
8. Red R6+3 (captures the Advisor)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black R6=8
8. Black R6=8
9. Red -C=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P2=3
9. Black P2=3
10. Red P6=5 (sacrifices the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
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 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black R8=5 (captures the Soldier)
10. Black R8=5
11. Red C5+2 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black P3+1 (threatens mate next move)
11. Black P3+1
12. Red C5-7 (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 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black P6=5 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
12. Black P6=5
13. Red C3-3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black P3=4 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
13. Black P3=4
14. Red R6-6 (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 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black P5=4 (captures the Chariot, check)
14. Black P5=4
15. Red K6+1 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Red K6+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 +R=8
- 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
2. Black R8=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 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
3. Black R9=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 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
4. Black R7-1
- 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 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
5. 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: Red mates immediately with R6+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+2. Try it on the board
6. Black R7=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
7. Black A5+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 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
8. Black R6=8
- 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
9. 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
10. Black R8=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: Red mates immediately with R6+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+2. Try it on the board
11. 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
12. Black P6=5
- 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
- If Black plays P3=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 E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. 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 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 E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black P5=4
- 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 E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E3+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 "Playing the Zither to Repel the Enemy"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move E3-1 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: Holding the Moon in One's Arms Next puzzle: Opening the Window to Invite the Moon →

Nearby puzzles

Intercepting the Boat to Save the Young Lord
11 moves
Retreating Bravely From the Rapids
24 moves
Holding the Moon in One's Arms
27 moves
Opening the Window to Invite the Moon
14 moves
Digging a Channel to Draw Water
18 moves
Pacifying the Vassals for the Realm
13 moves