Like Clouds and Rain

"Like Clouds and Rain" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 17 moves; the key first move is C3+2. 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 Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, 5 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 5 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red C3+2 (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)
1. Black E5-7
2. Red R2=7 (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.
2. Black +P=4 (check, threatens mate next move)
2. Black +P=4
3. Red K6+1 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
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.
3. Black P3=4 (check, the only legal reply)
3. Black P3=4
4. Red K6-1 (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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black E7+9 (captures the Horse)
4. Black E7+9
5. Red R7=9 (captures the Elephant)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black A5-4
5. Black A5-4
6. Red R9=5 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Black A6+5
6. Black A6+5
7. Red K6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black P8=7 (captures the Soldier)
7. Black P8=7
8. Red P4+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black P7=6
8. Black P7=6
9. Red P4+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black E9+7
9. Black E9+7
10. Red R5-2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black K5=6
10. Black K5=6
11. Red P6=5 (captures the Advisor, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
11. Black P5+1 (check)
11. Black P5+1
12. Red R5-4 (captures the Soldier, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
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 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black +P=5 (captures the Chariot, check)
12. Black +P=5
13. Red K5+1 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
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.
13. Black A4+5 (captures the Soldier)
13. Black A4+5
14. Red P1+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 P6+1
14. Black P6+1
15. Red P1=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black E7-9
15. Black E7-9
16. Red P2+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black P6+1
16. Black P6+1
17. Red P2=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black A5+6 (captures the Soldier)
17. Black A5+6

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.

2. Black +P=4
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+3. Try it on the board
3. Black P3=4
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+3. 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 P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black E7+9
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=5 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+3. 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: Red mates immediately with H1+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+3. Try it on the board
5. Black A5-4
- 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
- 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
6. Black A6+5
- If Black plays A4+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black P8=7
- 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
- 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
8. Black P7=6
- 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
- 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
9. Black E9+7
- 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=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
10. Black K5=6
- 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=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
11. Black P5+1
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. 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: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
12. 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: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays -P+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
13. Black A4+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: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=5 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
14. Black P6+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 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 E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black E7-9
- 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 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
16. Black P6+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 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 E9-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black A5+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 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

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Like Clouds and Rain"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move C3+2 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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