Cutting Thorns to Open a Path

"Cutting Thorns to Open a Path" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 12 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, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 2 Cannons, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, 2 Cannons, 5 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red -R=4 (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 for
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
1. Black C5=6
1. Black C5=6
2. Red R1=6 (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 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black C2=4 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
2. Black C2=4
3. Red R6=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 33 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
3. Black C4=8 (captures the Soldier)
3. Black C4=8
4. Red C1+6 (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 for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black C8+8
4. Black C8+8
5. Red R4-3 (captures the Chariot, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 33 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black P7=6 (captures the Chariot)
5. Black P7=6
6. Red R5+1 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 38 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R1+1 (captures the Cannon)
6. Black R1+1
7. Red P9+1 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 34 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black C8+1 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black C8+1
8. Red R5=2 (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 34 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black P6+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
8. Black P6+1
9. Red R2-6 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P6=5 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
9. Black P6=5
10. Red R2=5 (captures the Soldier, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
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 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black P5+1 (captures the Chariot, check)
10. Black P5+1
11. Red K6=5 (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.
11. Black C6=8
11. Black C6=8
12. Red C1-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black E3-5
12. Black 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.

1. Black C5=6
- If Black plays R6-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black C2=4
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+6. 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=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6-1 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6-2 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+6. Try it on the board
3. Black C4=8
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+6. 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=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6-1 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6-2 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+6. Try it on the board
4. Black C8+8
- If Black plays C8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black P7=6
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+6. 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=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+6. Try it on the board
6. Black R1+1
- 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=4 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
7. Black C8+1
- 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=4 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
8. Black P6+1
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+3. Try it on the board
9. Black P6=5
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+9. 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 R2+9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black P5+1
- 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=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 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
11. Black C6=8
- 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 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 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
12. Black E3-5
- 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 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 E3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=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 "Cutting Thorns to Open a Path"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

12 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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