Charging the Enemy Lines

"Charging the Enemy Lines" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 11 moves; the key first move is R7+1. 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 Chariot, a Cannon, 4 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Chariot, a Horse, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R7+1 (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 forNo real drawback in this position.
1. Black H3-4 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black H3-4
2. Red P4+1 (check, 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.
2. Black K5=6 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
2. Black K5=6
3. Red R7=6 (captures the Horse, check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
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.
3. Black A5-4 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
3. Black A5-4
4. Red C7+9 (check)
4. Black R5-5
4. Black R5-5
5. Red P2=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black P7=6
5. Black P7=6
6. Red +P+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
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.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Black K6+1
6. Black K6+1
7. Red C7=5 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black P6+1 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black P6+1
8. Red P6=5 (check, sacrifices the Soldier)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
8. Black A6-5 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
8. Black A6-5
9. Red C5-8 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P6+1 (check, the only legal reply)
9. Black P6+1
10. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black P6=5 (captures the Cannon, check)
10. Black P6=5
11. Red K5+1 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Red K5+1

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 H3-4
- If Black plays A5-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black K5=6
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
3. Black A5-4
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P2=3. Try it on the board
4. Black R5-5
- If Black plays A4+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P2=3. Try it on the board
5. Black P7=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
7. Black P6+1
- 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
8. Black A6-5
- If Black plays K6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A4+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black P6+1
- 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 A5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black P6=5
- 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 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 A5-6 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 "Charging the Enemy Lines"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R7+1 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.

← Previous puzzle: Decisions from the Ninefold Palace Next puzzle: Speed Is the Essence of War →

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