Fewer Stoves, More Troops

"Fewer Stoves, More Troops" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 22 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.

Solve this puzzle on ChessZing →

Free, in the browser, no download.

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Advisor, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 4 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 4 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 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Advisor stands where it can be captured.
2. Black P2=3
2. Black P2=3
3. Red R5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black +P=4 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black +P=4
4. Red R4-5 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black P4=5 (captures the Advisor, check)
4. Black P4=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 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R4+4 (check, the only legal reply)
5. Black R4+4
6. Red K5-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R4=6 (captures the Chariot)
6. Black R4=6
7. Red P9=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black P3=4
7. Black P3=4
8. Red -P=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black R6-7 (captures the Soldier)
8. Black R6-7
9. 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.
9. Black E5-3 (captures the Soldier)
9. Black E5-3
10. Red P5=4 (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.
10. Black K4+1
10. Black K4+1
11. Red E5-7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black P4=5
11. Black P4=5
12. Red K5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black P8=7
12. Black P8=7
13. Red E3+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black P7=6
13. Black P7=6
14. Red E1+3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black P6+1
14. Black P6+1
15. Red E7+9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black E7+9
15. Black E7+9
16. Red E9+7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black E9+7
16. Black E9+7
17. Red E7-9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black E7-5
17. Black E7-5
18. Red P4=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.
18. Black K4=5 (captures the Soldier)
18. Black K4=5
19. Red P7=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black P5=4
19. Black P5=4
20. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Black E5+7
20. Black E5+7
21. Red E9+7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
21. Black P6+1
21. Black P6+1
22. Red E3-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
22. Red E3-5

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.

2. 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 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
3. Black +P=4
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=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 P6=5 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
4. Black P4=5
- If Black plays P4+1 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 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 P8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black R4+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 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 P8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black R4=6
- 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
- If Black plays R4-1 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
7. Black P3=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=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
8. Black R6-7
- 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=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
10. Black K4+1
- 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 P8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black P4=5
- If Black plays P4+1 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 P8=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
12. Black P8=7
- 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 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 K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black P7=6
- 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 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 K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black P6+1
- If Black plays P5+1 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 P6=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 E3+1 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
15. 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 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 E9+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 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 E7-5
- 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 P6=5 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 K4=5
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black P5=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 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 E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
20. 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 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
21. 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 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 E7-9 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 "Fewer Stoves, More Troops"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

22 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: Cutting Thorns to Open a Path Next puzzle: Fewer Troops, More Stoves →

Nearby puzzles

Remonstrating the Lord in the North
24 moves
Cutting Thorns to Open a Path
12 moves
Cutting Thorns to Open a Path
12 moves
Fewer Troops, More Stoves
23 moves
Decisions from the Ninefold Palace
14 moves
Charging the Enemy Lines
11 moves