Stars Shift, the Dipper Turns

"Stars Shift, the Dipper Turns" 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 C1=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, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, 4 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red C1=6 (sacrifices the Cannon)
Why it works–
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 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black R4-3 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
1. Black R4-3
2. Red A4-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 33 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Advisor stands where it can be captured.
2. Black +P+1
2. Black +P+1
3. Red R1=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 38 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black P6=5 (captures the Advisor, check)
3. Black P6=5
4. Red K5+1 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 40 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black C9=2
4. Black C9=2
5. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 40 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black C2-1 (check, threatens mate next move)
5. Black C2-1
6. Red K4+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black C2-1 (check, threatens mate next move)
6. Black C2-1
7. Red E5+7 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 35 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Elephant stands where it can be captured.
7. Black R4+2 (check)
7. Black R4+2
8. Red E7-5
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.
8. Black R4-3 (check, threatens mate next move)
8. Black R4-3
9. Red E5-3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 34 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black R4=6 (captures the Chariot, check, the only legal reply)
9. Black R4=6
10. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 36 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black C2-4 (threatens mate next move)
10. Black C2-4
11. Red R7-2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 35 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black R6-3 (captures the Soldier)
11. Black R6-3
12. Red R7=8 (captures the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black R6=1
12. Black R6=1
13. Red R8+3 (check)
13. Black K4+1
13. Black K4+1
14. Red R8=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black R1+4 (captures the Soldier)
14. Black R1+4
15. Red R7-8 (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.
15. Black R1+1
15. Black R1+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 R4-3
- If Black plays C9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black +P+1
- If Black plays C9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black P6=5
- If Black plays C9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black C9=2
- If Black plays C9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black C2-1
- If Black plays C2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black C2-1
- If Black plays C2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black R4+2
- 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 C2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black R4-3
- 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 C2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black R4=6
- 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 C2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black C2-4
- 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 C2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black R6-3
- 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 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
12. Black R6=1
- 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 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 E5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black K4+1
- If Black plays E5-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black R1+4
- 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 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 R1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black R1+1
- If Black plays R1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1=7 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 "Stars Shift, the Dipper Turns"?

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 C1=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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