Retreating Bravely From the Rapids

"Retreating Bravely From the Rapids" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 24 moves; the key first move is +R+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 Chariots, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Advisor, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red +R+3 (check, 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 forNo real drawback in this position.
1. Black A5-6 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black A5-6
2. Red C2+4 (check, 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 forNo real drawback in this position.
2. Black A6+5 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black A6+5
3. Red C2-8 (check, 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 forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black A5-6 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black A5-6
4. Red P4+1 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Black H4-6 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
4. Black H4-6
5. Red C2=7 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black -P=4 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black -P=4
6. Red +R=4 (captures the Horse, check, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
6. Black K5=6 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
6. Black K5=6
7. Red R1=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black P5=4 (check, the only legal reply)
7. Black P5=4
8. Red K6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black -P=5 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
8. Black -P=5
9. Red R6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P1+1
9. Black P1+1
10. Red P1+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black P1=2
10. Black P1=2
11. Red P1=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black P2=3
11. Black P2=3
12. Red P2=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black P3=4
12. Black P3=4
13. Red P3=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black +P=5 (check)
13. Black +P=5
14. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black C5=6 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
14. Black C5=6
15. Red P4=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black -P=6 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
15. Black -P=6
16. Red P3=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black P4+1
16. Black P4+1
17. Red P4+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black P5=6 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
17. Black P5=6
18. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black C6=5 (check)
18. Black C6=5
19. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black P4+1
19. Black P4+1
20. Red P4+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Black -P=5
20. Black -P=5
21. Red P4=5 (captures the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
21. Black P6=5 (threatens mate next move)
21. Black P6=5
22. Red R5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
22. Black P4+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
22. Black P4+1
23. Red R6-4 (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.
23. Black +P=4 (captures the Chariot, check, threatens mate next move)
23. Black +P=4
24. Red K6+1 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
24. Black E3-5 (captures the Soldier)
24. Black E3-5

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.

4. Black H4-6
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with -R+3. Try it on the board
5. Black -P=4
- 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=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1+1 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
6. Black K5=6
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+3. Try it on the board
7. 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 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 P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black -P=5
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays -P=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1+1 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
9. Black P1+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 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
10. Black P1=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 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
11. Black P2=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 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
12. Black P3=4
- 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 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
13. Black +P=5
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=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 -P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black C5=6
- 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=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 P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black -P=6
- 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=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 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
16. Black P4+1
- 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 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
17. Black P5=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 P6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black C6=5
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays -P=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays -P=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black P4+1
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays -P=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays -P=5 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
20. Black -P=5
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 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
21. Black P6=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 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
22. Black P4+1
- 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 P4=3 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 E3-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
23. Black +P=4
- 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=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 E3-5 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
24. Black E3-5
- 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 E3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K6+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 "Retreating Bravely From the Rapids"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move +R+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: Intercepting the Boat to Save the Young Lord Next puzzle: Holding the Moon in One's Arms →

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