Covering One's Ears to Steal a Bell

"Covering One's Ears to Steal a Bell" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 25 moves; the key first move is C3=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 Advisor, a Elephant, a Chariot, 2 Cannons, 4 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Cannon, 4 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red C3=6 (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 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
1. Black C7+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
1. Black C7+1
2. Red R3-6 (captures the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black R4-3 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
2. Black R4-3
3. Red C4=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black R4=2
3. Black R4=2
4. Red +P=6 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
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.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
4. Black K4-1 (captures the Soldier)
4. Black K4-1
5. Red R3+8 (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.
5. Black K4+1
5. Black K4+1
6. Red R3=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black E5-3 (captures the Soldier)
6. Black E5-3
7. Red R7-7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black P6+1 (captures the Advisor, check)
7. Black P6+1
8. Red K5=4 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black +P=7
8. Black +P=7
9. Red P1=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P7=6
9. Black P7=6
10. Red P2=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black P6=5 (captures the Elephant)
10. Black P6=5
11. Red P3=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black R2=6 (check, threatens mate next move)
11. Black R2=6
12. Red R7=4 (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 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black R6+3 (captures the Chariot, check, threatens mate next move)
12. Black R6+3
13. Red K4+1 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black P8=7
13. Black P8=7
14. Red P5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black P7+1
14. Black P7+1
15. Red C6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black K4=5
15. Black K4=5
16. Red P5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black P7=6 (check, the only legal reply)
16. Black P7=6
17. Red K4-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black K5=6
17. Black K5=6
18. Red C5-7 (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.
18. Black K6-1 (captures the Soldier)
18. Black K6-1
19. Red C5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black P6+1 (check, the only legal reply)
19. Black P6+1
20. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Black K6=5
20. Black K6=5
21. Red C6=5 (check)
21. Black K5=4
21. Black K5=4
22. Red P5=6 (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 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
22. Black K4=5
22. Black K4=5
23. Red C5+4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
23. Black P1=2
23. Black P1=2
24. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
24. Black P2=3
24. Black P2=3
25. Red K6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
25. 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 C7+1
- If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-2 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=6. Try it on the board
2. Black R4-3
- 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
3. Black R4=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 +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=9 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
6. Black E5-3
- 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 +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=9 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
7. Black P6+1
- 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 +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=9 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 P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black +P=7
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=9 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 P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays -P=9 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
9. Black P7=6
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=8 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 P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. 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 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 P8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black R2=6
- 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 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 P8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black R6+3
- 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 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 P8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black P8=7
- 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 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 P8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black P7+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 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 P7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black K4=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 P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
16. Black P7=6
- 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 P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=8 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
17. 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: 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 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
18. Black K6-1
- If Black plays P6+1 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 P1=2 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
19. Black P6+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 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
- If Black plays K6+1 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
20. Black K6=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 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 K6-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
21. Black K5=4
- If Black plays K5=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
22. Black K4=5
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with C5=6. 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 P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with C5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with C5=6. Try it on the board
23. Black P1=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 P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
24. Black P2=3
- 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 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 K5=6 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 "Covering One's Ears to Steal a Bell"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move C3=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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