Farming Garrison at Tazhong

"Farming Garrison at Tazhong" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 18 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, a Advisor, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 5 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red -R=4 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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 Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
1. Black R6-4 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
1. Black R6-4
2. Red A6-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Advisor stands where it can be captured.
2. Black P8=7
2. Black P8=7
3. Red R5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black +P=6 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black +P=6
4. Red R6-5 (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.
4. Black P6=5 (captures the Advisor, check)
4. Black P6=5
5. Red K5+1 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R6+4 (check, the only legal reply)
5. Black R6+4
6. Red K5-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R6=4 (captures the Chariot)
6. Black R6=4
7. Red +P=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black E3+1
7. Black E3+1
8. Red P8=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black P7=6
8. Black P7=6
9. Red P6+1 (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.
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black R4-8 (captures the Soldier)
9. Black R4-8
10. Red +P=6
Why it works–
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.
10. Black R4=1
10. Black R4=1
11. Red P9=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black P6+1
11. Black P6+1
12. Red E5-7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black R1+1
12. Black R1+1
13. Red -E+9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black E1-3
13. Black E1-3
14. Red P8=9
Why it works–
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.
14. Black E3+1
14. Black E3+1
15. Red P9=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black E5+7
15. Black E5+7
16. Red E7-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black E7-9
16. Black E7-9
17. Red P8=9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black R1=2
17. Black R1=2
18. Red P7=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
18. Red P7=8

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 P8=7
- 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 P8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black +P=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 +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays -P=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black P6=5
- 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 P7+1 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 R6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black R6+4
- If Black plays P7+1 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 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
6. Black R6=4
- 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 R6-1 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
7. Black E3+1
- 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: 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
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black P7=6
- 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: 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
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black R4-8
- If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=9 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
10. Black R4=1
- 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 E1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E1+3 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
11. Black P6+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 E1-3 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+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
12. Black R1+1
- 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 E1-3 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+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black E1-3
- 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 E5-7 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
14. Black E3+1
- 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 E5-7 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
15. Black E5+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 E1-3 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
16. Black E7-9
- 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 E7-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E1-3 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
17. Black R1=2
- 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 E1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E1+3 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

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Farming Garrison at Tazhong"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

18 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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