Deftly Ringing the War Bell

"Deftly Ringing the War Bell" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 19 moves; the key first move is +C+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, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, 2 Cannons, 4 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 2 Cannons, 5 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red +C+4 (check, sacrifices the Cannon, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
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.
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black R6=9 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
1. Black R6=9
2. Red R3-1 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 38 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
2. Black C6-6
2. Black C6-6
3. Red R3-2 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 40 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black C6=4 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
3. Black C6=4
4. Red R2=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 34 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
4. Black +P+1 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black +P+1
5. Red R3=5 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R9+5 (captures the Cannon)
5. Black R9+5
6. Red R5=7 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 33 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black C1+3 (check, threatens mate next move)
6. Black C1+3
7. Red E7+9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black R9=4 (captures the Chariot, check)
7. Black R9=4
8. Red K6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black R4=5 (check)
8. Black R4=5
9. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black R5=6 (check)
9. Black R5=6
10. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black C4=5 (check)
10. Black C4=5
11. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black R6=4 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
11. Black R6=4
12. Red R7=6 (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 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black R4+3 (captures the Chariot, check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
12. Black R4+3
13. Red K6+1 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black C1=9
13. Black C1=9
14. Red P6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black C5=8
14. Black C5=8
15. Red P6+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 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black C9-8
15. Black C9-8
16. Red P8=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
16. Black C8-1
16. Black C8-1
17. Red P6+1 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, 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 Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
17. Black C8=4 (captures the Soldier)
17. Black C8=4
18. Red +P=6 (captures the Cannon, check, sacrifices the Soldier, 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.
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
18. Black C9=4 (captures the Soldier)
18. Black C9=4
19. Red P5=6 (captures the Cannon, check, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
19. Black K4=5
19. Black K4=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.

1. Black R6=9
- If Black plays R6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6+3 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
- If Black plays R6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black C6-6
- If Black plays +P+1 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 C6-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black C6=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+1 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=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black +P+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 +P=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black R9+5
- If Black plays +P+1 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=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black C1+3
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black R9=4
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R9=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R9=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black R4=5
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black R5=6
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-1 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
10. Black C4=5
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-1 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
11. Black R6=4
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-1 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
12. Black R4+3
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black C1=9
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black C5=8
- 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
15. Black C9-8
- If Black plays C9=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=5 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. 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: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
16. Black C8-1
- If Black plays E3-5 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 E1-3 instead: Red mates immediately with +P+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=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 "Deftly Ringing the War Bell"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move +C+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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