Attending the Hongmen Banquet

"Attending the Hongmen Banquet" 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 +C=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, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 2 Cannons, a Soldier. Black has a General, a Chariot, 5 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red +C=6 (check, sacrifices the Cannon, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
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.
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black R4+2 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
1. Black R4+2
2. Red C1=6 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
2. Black R4=9
2. Black R4=9
3. Red H6+5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black R9+1
3. Black R9+1
4. Red C6+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 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black R9-1 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black R9-1
5. Red H5+3 (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 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Horse stands where it can be captured.
5. Black +P=4 (check, threatens mate next move)
5. Black +P=4
6. 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 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black P3+1 (check, the only legal reply)
6. Black P3+1
7. 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 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black P3+1 (check, threatens mate next move)
7. Black P3+1
8. Red K6=5 (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 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black P5+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
8. Black P5+1
9. Red R5-7 (captures the Soldier, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
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 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P6=5 (captures the Chariot, check, threatens mate next move)
9. Black P6=5
10. Red R1=5 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black P3=4 (check, the only legal reply)
10. Black P3=4
11. Red K5=6 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black R9=7 (captures the Horse)
11. Black R9=7
12. Red C6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black R7=4 (check)
12. Black R7=4
13. Red R5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
13. Black R4=5
13. Black R4=5
14. Red C6=7 (check)
14. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
14. Black K4=5
15. Red C7-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Red C7-5

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 R4+2
- If Black plays R4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=6 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=9 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=6. Try it on the board
2. Black R4=9
- 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
- If Black plays R4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+6. Try it on the board
3. Black R9+1
- 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
- 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 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
4. Black R9-1
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+6. 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 P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+6. Try it on the board
5. Black +P=4
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H3+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H3+5. 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 P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H3+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H3+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H3+5. Try it on the board
6. Black P3+1
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H3+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H3+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H3+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H3+5. 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=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black P3+1
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H3+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H3+5. 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: Red mates immediately with H3+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H3+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H3+5. Try it on the board
8. Black P5+1
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with H3+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H3+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=6 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: Red mates immediately with H3+5. Try it on the board
9. Black P6=5
- 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 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
- 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
10. Black P3=4
- If Black plays P3=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
- If Black plays P7=6 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 R9-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black R9=7
- 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
- If Black plays R9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R9-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R9-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R9-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black R7=4
- 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
- If Black plays R7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black R4=5
- 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
- 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
- If Black plays R4=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black K4=5
- If Black plays R5=4 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 "Attending the Hongmen Banquet"?

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 +C=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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