Three Heroes of Fengpei

"Three Heroes of Fengpei" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 23 moves; the key first move is P4+1. 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, a Chariot, a Cannon, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Chariot, 5 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red P4+1 (check, 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 forNo real drawback in this position.
1. Black K5-1 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K5-1
2. Red P4+1 (check)
2. Black K5-1 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K5-1
3. Red R3=5 (check)
3. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black K5=4
4. Red R5+3 (check, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
4. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K4+1
5. Red R5=9 (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.
5. Black A4-5
5. Black A4-5
6. Red R9-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black K4+1
6. Black K4+1
7. Red R9=6 (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.
7. Black K4=5
7. Black K4=5
8. Red R6=5 (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.
8. Black K5=4
8. Black K5=4
9. Red C3=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P2=3
9. Black P2=3
10. Red C5-3 (captures the Soldier, sacrifices the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black -P=5 (captures the Cannon)
10. Black -P=5
11. Red R5-2 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black K4-1
11. Black K4-1
12. Red R5=6 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
12. Black A5+4
12. Black A5+4
13. Red P4+1 (captures the Advisor)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black P3+1
13. Black P3+1
14. Red R6+2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black P3+1
14. Black P3+1
15. Red P4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black K4=5
15. Black K4=5
16. Red R6=5 (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.
16. Black K5=4
16. Black K5=4
17. Red R5-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black P3+1
17. Black P3+1
18. Red R5=7 (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 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black K4=5
18. Black K4=5
19. Red R7-3 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black K5-1 (captures the Soldier)
19. Black K5-1
20. Red R7+4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Black K5+1
20. Black K5+1
21. Red R7=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
21. Black K5=4
21. Black K5=4
22. Red R6-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
22. Black P4=3
22. Black P4=3
23. Red R6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
23. Black P3=4
23. Black P3=4

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 K5-1
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=5. Try it on the board
3. Black K5=4
- If Black plays A4-5 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black K4+1
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black A4-5
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=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=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays -P=3 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
6. Black K4+1
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=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=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays -P=3 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
9. Black P2=3
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=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=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays -P=3 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
10. Black -P=5
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=3 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 -P=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
11. Black K4-1
- 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 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 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
12. Black A5+4
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black P3+1
- 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 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 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
14. Black P3+1
- 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 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 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
15. Black K4=5
- If Black plays P3+1 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 P4+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=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black P3+1
- If Black plays P3=2 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 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 A4-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black K4=5
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+5. 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
19. Black K5-1
- 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 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 K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
20. Black K5+1
- 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 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 A4-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
21. Black K5=4
- 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 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 K5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R6=5. Try it on the board
22. Black P4=3
- If Black plays P4+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=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4=5 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
23. Black P3=4
- If Black plays P3+1 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 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 A4-5 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 "Three Heroes of Fengpei"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move P4+1 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: Mercy at Huarong Trail Next puzzle: Feather Dance on the Two Steps →

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