Stopping the Chariot to Ask the Way

"Stopping the Chariot to Ask the Way" 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 R1+5. 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, a Horse, a Cannon, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R1+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.
1. Black H6-8 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black H6-8
2. Red R1=2 (captures the Horse, check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
2. Black E5-7 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black E5-7
3. Red R2=3 (captures the Elephant, check, 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 Elephant.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black A5-6 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black A5-6
4. Red R3-8 (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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black R5=7 (captures the Chariot)
4. Black R5=7
5. Red R6+7 (captures the Advisor)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R7=8
5. Black R7=8
6. Red C2=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black P6+1 (check, the only legal reply)
6. Black P6+1
7. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black P6=5 (check)
7. Black P6=5
8. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black A6+5
8. Black A6+5
9. Red R6=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black R8+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
9. Black R8+1
10. Red C3-4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
10. Black R8-2 (threatens mate next move)
10. Black R8-2
11. Red C3+2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
11. Black P1=2
11. Black P1=2
12. Red H9-8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black K5=6
12. Black K5=6
13. Red H8-7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black P2=3 (threatens mate next move)
13. Black P2=3
14. Red H7-8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black K6+1
14. Black K6+1
15. Red R3+2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black R8=9 (captures the Elephant)
15. Black R8=9
16. Red P5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black R9-2
16. Black R9-2
17. Red C3+2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
17. Black R9-3
17. Black R9-3
18. Red C3+3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
18. Black K6+1
18. Black K6+1
19. Red P5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black R9=8
19. Black R9=8
20. Red P5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Black K6-1
20. Black K6-1
21. Red P5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
21. Black A5-4
21. Black A5-4
22. Red R3-1 (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.
22. Black K6-1
22. Black K6-1
23. Red P5=4 (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.
23. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
23. Black K6=5
24. Red P4=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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
24. Black K5=6
24. Black K5=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.

1. Black H6-8
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black E5-7
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black R5=7
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=6 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
- If Black plays R5=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black R7=8
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 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
- If Black plays R7=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black P6+1
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black P6=5
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 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 R8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black A6+5
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 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 P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black R8+1
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 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 P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black R8-2
- If Black plays R8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black P1=2
- If Black plays P1+1 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 P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black K5=6
- If Black plays P2+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 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 P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black P2=3
- If Black plays P2+1 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 P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black K6+1
- If Black plays P3+1 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
- If Black plays P3=2 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 P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black R8=9
- If Black plays P3+1 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
- If Black plays P3=2 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 P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
16. Black R9-2
- If Black plays P3+1 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
- If Black plays P3=2 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 P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black R9-3
- If Black plays P3+1 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
- If Black plays P3=2 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 P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black K6+1
- If Black plays P3+1 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
- If Black plays P3=2 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 P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black R9=8
- If Black plays P3+1 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
- If Black plays P3=2 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 P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
20. Black K6-1
- If Black plays P3+1 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
- If Black plays P3=2 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 P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
21. Black A5-4
- If Black plays P3+1 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
- If Black plays P3=2 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 P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
23. Black K6=5
- If Black plays P3+1 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
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+1. 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 P5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
24. Black K5=6
- If Black plays P3+1 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
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+1. 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 P5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=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 "Stopping the Chariot to Ask the Way"?

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 R1+5 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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