Fewer Troops, More Stoves

"Fewer Troops, More Stoves" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 23 moves; the key first move is -R=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, a Advisor, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 5 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red -R=6 (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 R4-4 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
1. Black R4-4
2. Red A4+5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Advisor stands where it can be captured.
2. Black P3=4
2. Black P3=4
3. Red R5-1 (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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
3. Black P6=5 (captures the Advisor, check)
3. Black P6=5
4. Red K5+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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black P4+1 (check)
4. Black P4+1
5. Red K5-1 (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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black P4+1 (check)
5. Black P4+1
6. Red K5=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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R4=5 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
6. Black R4=5
7. Red K4+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black R5=6 (check, the only legal reply)
7. Black R5=6
8. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black E7+9 (captures the Soldier)
8. Black E7+9
9. Red P9=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black E9+7
9. Black E9+7
10. Red -P=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black R6-3 (captures the Soldier)
10. Black R6-3
11. Red P8=7 (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.
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.
11. Black E5-3 (captures the Soldier)
11. Black E5-3
12. Red P5=4 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black K4+1
12. Black K4+1
13. Red E5+7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black E7-5
13. Black E7-5
14. Red E7-9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black P4=3
14. Black P4=3
15. Red E9-7 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black E3+1
15. Black E3+1
16. Red K5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black E1+3
16. Black E1+3
17. Red P7=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black E3-1
17. Black E3-1
18. Red P8=9 (captures the Elephant)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black K4-1
18. Black K4-1
19. Red P9=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black K4+1
19. Black K4+1
20. Red P8=7
20. Black E5+3
20. Black E5+3
21. Red P4=5 (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.
21. Black K4-1
21. Black K4-1
22. Red P7=6 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
22. Black E3-1
22. Black E3-1
23. Red P6+1 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
23. Red P6+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.

2. Black P3=4
- 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 P3+1 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 R4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
3. 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: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black P4+1
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. 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=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black P4+1
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. 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=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black R4=5
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black R5=6
- 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 R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 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
8. Black E7+9
- 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 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
9. Black E9+7
- 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 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
10. Black R6-3
- 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 R6=5 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=3 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
12. Black K4+1
- 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 E7-9 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 E3+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black E7-5
- 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 E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black P4=3
- If Black plays P4=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+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black E3+1
- 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
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
16. Black E1+3
- 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
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black E3-1
- If Black plays E5+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black K4-1
- 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
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black K4+1
- 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
- If Black plays E5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
20. Black E5+3
- If Black plays E5+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
22. Black E3-1
- If Black plays E3-5 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 23 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Fewer Troops, More Stoves"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move -R=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.

← Previous puzzle: Fewer Stoves, More Troops Next puzzle: Decisions from the Ninefold Palace →

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