Holding the Moon in One's Arms

"Holding the Moon in One's Arms" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 27 moves; the key first move is C3+3. 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 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 2 Cannons, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red C3+3 (check, sacrifices the Cannon, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
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.
1. Black E5-7 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
1. Black E5-7
2. Red H2+4 (check, sacrifices the Horse, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Horse; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
2. Black A5+6 (captures the Horse, threatens mate next move)
2. Black A5+6
3. Red A5+4 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 41 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black R8=6
3. Black R8=6
4. Red R1-4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 37 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black R6+2 (captures the Advisor, check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
4. Black R6+2
5. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 35 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R6=5 (captures the Elephant, check)
5. Black R6=5
6. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 38 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R5=6 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
6. Black R5=6
7. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 39 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black C1+3 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
7. Black C1+3
8. Red A6+5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 36 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Advisor stands where it can be captured.
8. Black R6=2
8. Black R6=2
9. Red P6+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.
9. Black K5=4 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
9. Black K5=4
10. Red R1=6 (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.
10. Black K4=5
10. Black K4=5
11. Red R6-2 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 37 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black R2+2 (check, the General has no escape square)
11. Black R2+2
12. Red R6-1 (sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works–
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 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black C1=4 (captures the Chariot)
12. Black C1=4
13. Red A5-6 (captures the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Advisor stands where it can be captured.
13. Black P5+1 (captures the Soldier)
13. Black P5+1
14. Red R2=4 (captures the Advisor)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black H1+3
14. Black H1+3
15. Red C2+9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black K5+1
15. Black K5+1
16. Red R4+2 (captures the Advisor)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black E7+5
16. Black E7+5
17. Red R4-4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black H3+4
17. Black H3+4
18. Red R4=5 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black H4+6
18. Black H4+6
19. Red R5+2 (captures the Elephant, check)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
19. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
19. Black K5=4
20. Red C2-9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Black R2-5
20. Black R2-5
21. Red R5-4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
21. Black H6+7 (check)
21. Black H6+7
22. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
22. Black R2=7 (captures the Soldier)
22. Black R2=7
23. Red K4+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
23. Black H7-9 (captures the Elephant)
23. Black H7-9
24. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
24. Black R7+4 (check)
24. Black R7+4
25. Red K5-1 (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 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
25. Black R7+1 (check, the only legal reply)
25. Black R7+1
26. Red K5+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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
26. Black R7=4 (captures the Advisor)
26. Black R7=4
27. Red C2=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
27. Red C2=4

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.

3. Black R8=6
- 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 C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black R6+2
- 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 C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black R6=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 R6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black R5=6
- 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 R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black C1+3
- 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 R6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black R6=2
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black K5=4
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black R2+2
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black C1=4
- If Black plays C1-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black P5+1
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black H1+3
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black K5+1
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
16. Black E7+5
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black H3+4
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black H4+6
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black K5=4
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
20. Black R2-5
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
21. Black H6+7
- If Black plays H6-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6+8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
22. Black R2=7
- 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
- If Black plays H7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
23. Black H7-9
- If Black plays H7+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
24. Black R7+4
- If Black plays H9-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H9+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H9-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H9+8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
25. Black R7+1
- If Black plays R7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
26. Black R7=4
- If Black plays R7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7-2 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7-3 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 "Holding the Moon in One's Arms"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move C3+3 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: Retreating Bravely From the Rapids Next puzzle: Playing the Zither to Repel the Enemy →

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