Two Chariots Cross Tracks

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Advisor, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 2 Horses, a Cannon.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R2+9 (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 E5-7 (threatens mate next move)

2. 2. Red R2=3 (captures the Elephant, check, 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.
   • Wins material: takes the Elephant.
   • 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 A5-6 (threatens mate next move)

3. 3. Red R1=6 (captures the Cannon, check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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

   • Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.

   3. Black -H-4 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

4. 4. Red R3=4 (captures the Advisor, 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 Advisor.
   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   4. Black R5-8 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)

5. 5. Red R4-8 (captures the Horse, check, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Horse.
   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   5. Black R5+9 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

6. 6. Red K6=5 (captures the Chariot)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Chariot.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   6. Black R2=6 (captures the Chariot)

7. 7. 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.

   7. Black R6=9

8. 8. Red C1=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 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   8. Black R9-8

9. 9. Red P3+1 (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.
   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   9. Black R9=8 (captures the Cannon)

10. 10. Red P3=2 (captures the Chariot)

    Why it works

    • Wins material: takes the Chariot.

    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

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 E5-7
  • If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=4. Try it on the board
• 3. Black -H-4
  • If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black R5+9
  • If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5+1 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
  • If Black plays R5+3 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+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black R2=6
  • If Black plays R2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black R6=9
  • If Black plays R6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P3+1. 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=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: Red mates immediately with P3+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6=2 instead: Red mates immediately with P3+1. Try it on the board
• 8. Black R9-8
  • If Black plays R9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R9=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P3+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R9=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R9=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R9=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R9=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P3+1. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage
  25 moves
• Seven Stars Celebrate Together
  27 moves
• Two Linchpins Thrown Into the Spring
  15 moves
• Two Butterflies Flutter
  22 moves
• Attending the Feast With a Single Blade
  41 moves
• Remonstrating the Lord in the North
  24 moves

More from Xinwu Endgame Collection →

Languages: English · Tiếng Việt · 简体中文 · 繁體中文