Feather Dance on the Two Steps
"Feather Dance on the Two Steps" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 8 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 Chariots. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 2 Cannons, 4 Soldiers.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red -R=4Why it works
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for1. Black K6=51. Black K6=5 - 2. Red R1+2Why it works
- Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for2. Black E5-72. Black E5-7 - 3. Red R1=3Why 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 for3. Black A5-63. Black A5-6 - 4. Red R3=4Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
- Wins material: takes the Advisor.
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for4. Black K5+14. Black K5+1 - 5. Red +R-15. Black K5-1
5. Black K5-1 - 6. Red -R=5Why it works
- Wins material: takes the Soldier.
- Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for6. Black A4+56. Black A4+5 - 7. Red R5+2Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
- Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for7. Black K5=47. Black K5=4 - 8. Red R4+1Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for8. Red R4+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.
- 1. Black K6=5
- If Black plays A5+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 2. Black E5-7
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 5. Black K5-1
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with -R+1. Try it on the board
- 6. Black A4+5
- If Black plays E3+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
Final position
Red wins after 8 moves. The General has no legal move.
Questions about this puzzle
Who moves first in "Feather Dance on the Two Steps"?
Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Xinwu Endgame Collection.
How many moves does the solution take?
8 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.
Nearby puzzles
- Black Dragon Flicks Its Tail
- Mercy at Huarong Trail
- Three Heroes of Fengpei
- Alighting the Carriage to Submit
- Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage
- Seven Stars Celebrate Together
More from Xinwu Endgame Collection →
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