Blossoms Fall in Four Seasons

"Blossoms Fall in Four Seasons" 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=4. 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 Horse, a Cannon, 4 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Elephant, a Chariot, 2 Cannons, 4 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red -R=4 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
1. Black P5=6 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black P5=6
2. Red R4+2 (captures the Soldier, check, sacrifices the Chariot, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
2. Black R6-3 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
2. Black R6-3
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 P8=9 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
3. Black P8=9
4. Red +P+1 (check, 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.
4. Black K6=5 (captures the Soldier)
4. Black K6=5
5. Red P6+1 (captures the Cannon, check)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out for
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
5. Black K5=6 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black K5=6
6. Red P6=5 (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.
6. Black K6=5 (captures the Soldier)
6. Black K6=5
7. Red R1=8 (captures the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black R6+3
7. Black R6+3
8. Red R8+2 (check, 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 forNo real drawback in this position.
8. Black K5+1
8. Black K5+1
9. Red H8+7 (check)
9. Black K5+1
9. Black K5+1
10. Red R8=5 (check)
10. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
10. Black K5=4
11. Red R5=6 (check, 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 forNo real drawback in this position.
11. Black K4=5
11. Black K4=5
12. Red H7-6 (check)
12. Black K5-1
12. Black K5-1
13. Red H6+4 (check, sacrifices the Horse)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Gives up the Horse; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
13. Black R6-5 (captures the Horse)
13. Black R6-5
14. Red R6-8 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black R6+3
14. Black R6+3
15. Red R6+2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black R6+2
15. Black R6+2
16. Red R6=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black P9=8
16. Black P9=8
17. Red R8-3 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black P8=7
17. Black P8=7
18. Red R8+8 (check)
18. Black K5-1
18. Black K5-1
19. Red R8-2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black P7=6 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
19. Black P7=6
20. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Black K5+1
20. Black K5+1
21. Red P2=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
21. Black R6=5 (threatens mate next move)
21. Black R6=5
22. Red P3=4 (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.
22. Black K5=6 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
22. Black K5=6
23. Red R8=4 (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.
23. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
23. Black K6=5
24. Red R4-6 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
24. Black R5-2 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
24. Black R5-2

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 P5=6
- If Black plays R6-1 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
2. Black R6-3
- If Black plays C2=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black P8=9
- If Black plays P2=3 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 P8=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=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
4. Black K6=5
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P2=3. Try it on the board
5. Black K5=6
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black K6=5
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black R6+3
- If Black plays P2=3 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 P9=8 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
9. Black K5+1
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=6. Try it on the board
10. Black K5=4
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black K5-1
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R6=4. Try it on the board
13. Black R6-5
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R6-2. Try it on the board
14. Black R6+3
- If Black plays P2=3 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 P9=8 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
15. Black R6+2
- If Black plays P2=3 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 P9=8 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
16. Black P9=8
- If Black plays P2=3 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 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
- If Black plays R6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black P8=7
- If Black plays P8=9 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
- If Black plays R6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black K5-1
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black P7=6
- If Black plays P7=8 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
- If Black plays R6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
20. Black K5+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 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
- If Black plays R6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
21. Black R6=5
- 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 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
- If Black plays R6=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
22. Black K5=6
- If Black plays K5-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8+1. Try it on the board
24. Black R5-2
- If Black plays R5=6 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
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=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 "Blossoms Fall in Four Seasons"?

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=4 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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