Seven Stars Celebrate Together

"Seven Stars Celebrate Together" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 27 moves; the key first move is C2=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 Chariots, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Elephant, a Chariot, 4 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red C2=4 (check, sacrifices the Cannon, 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 Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
1. Black P5=6 (captures the Cannon)
1. Black P5=6
2. Red P4+1 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, 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 for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
2. Black K6+1 (captures the Soldier)
2. Black K6+1
3. Red R3+8 (check)
3. Black K6-1
3. Black K6-1
4. Red R2+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black +P=5 (check, threatens mate next move)
4. Black +P=5
5. 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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black P4=5 (captures the Chariot, check)
5. Black P4=5
6. Red K5+1 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black P6+1 (check)
6. Black P6+1
7. Red K5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black R5=3 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black R5=3
8. Red P6=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
8. Black R3=5
8. Black R3=5
9. Red P7=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black R5=3 (threatens mate next move)
9. Black R5=3
10. Red P6=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
10. Black R3=1
10. Black R3=1
11. Red R3-2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black R1+7 (threatens mate next move)
11. Black R1+7
12. Red R3=4 (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.
12. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
12. Black K6=5
13. Red R4-5 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black R1+2
13. Black R1+2
14. Red R4=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black R1=5 (check)
14. Black R1=5
15. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black R5=6 (check)
15. Black R5=6
16. 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.
16. Black K5=6
16. Black K5=6
17. Red R6+8 (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.
17. Black K6+1
17. Black K6+1
18. 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.
18. Black R6-1 (check)
18. Black R6-1
19. 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.
19. Black R6-1
19. Black R6-1
20. Red R6-1 (check)
20. Black K6+1
20. Black K6+1
21. Red R6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
21. Black R6=5 (check, the only legal reply)
21. Black R6=5
22. 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.
22. Black P2=3
22. Black P2=3
23. Red P7=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
23. Black P3+1
23. Black P3+1
24. 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 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
24. Black R5=4 (check, the only legal reply)
24. Black R5=4
25. Red K6=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 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
25. Black R4-6 (captures the Soldier)
25. Black R4-6
26. Red R5=4 (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.
26. Black R4=6
26. Black R4=6
27. Red R4-1 (captures the Chariot, check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
27. Black K6-1 (captures the Chariot)
27. Black K6-1

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.

3. Black K6-1
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+7. Try it on the board
4. Black +P=5
- 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 +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=7 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
5. 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 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: Red mates immediately with R5=4. Try it on the board
6. 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 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 E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black R5=3
- 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 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
8. Black R3=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 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
9. Black R5=3
- 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 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
10. Black R3=1
- 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 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
11. Black R1+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 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
13. Black R1+2
- If Black plays R1-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black R1=5
- If Black plays R1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black R5=6
- 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
- If Black plays R5=3 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
16. Black K5=6
- 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
18. Black R6-1
- 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
19. Black R6-1
- 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
20. Black K6+1
- If Black plays K6-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
21. Black R6=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 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
22. 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 R5=6 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
23. Black P3+1
- 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 R5=6 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
24. Black R5=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: Red mates immediately with R5=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=4. Try it on the board
25. Black R4-6
- If Black plays P3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=4. 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=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=4. Try it on the board

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Seven Stars Celebrate Together"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move C2=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.

← Previous puzzle: Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage Next puzzle: Two Linchpins Thrown Into the Spring →

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