Mercy at Huarong Trail

"Mercy at Huarong Trail" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 19 moves; the key first move is R2+7. 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 Advisors, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Advisor, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R2+7 (check, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
1. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K4+1
2. Red R6+3 (captures the Chariot, check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
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 C9=4 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
2. Black C9=4
3. Red C1+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.
3. Black A5+6 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black A5+6
4. Red R2-1 (check)
4. Black K4-1 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K4-1
5. Red R2=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R5=7 (captures the Horse)
5. Black R5=7
6. Red P3=4 (captures the Advisor)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R7-3
6. Black R7-3
7. Red K6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black C4+1
7. Black C4+1
8. Red C1=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black R7=4 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
8. Black R7=4
9. Red K6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 33 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black C4=5 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
9. Black C4=5
10. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 39 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black P6=5 (captures the Advisor, threatens mate next move)
10. Black P6=5
11. Red A6+5 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 36 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Advisor stands where it can be captured.
11. Black R4-2 (threatens mate next move)
11. Black R4-2
12. Red P4=5 (sacrifices the Soldier)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black R4=5 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
12. Black R4=5
13. Red C4-4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black C5+5 (captures the Advisor)
13. Black C5+5
14. Red R7=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black R5+4 (captures the Soldier)
14. Black R5+4
15. Red C4=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black C5+1
15. Black C5+1
16. Red R4+1 (check)
16. Black K4+1
16. Black K4+1
17. Red P9=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black C5=2
17. Black C5=2
18. Red P8=7 (check)
18. Black K4=5
18. Black K4=5
19. Red C8-4 (captures the Cannon, sacrifices the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black P2+1 (captures the Cannon)
19. Black P2+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 K4+1
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black C9=4
- If Black plays A5+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black A5+6
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black K4-1
- If Black plays A6-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black R5=7
- 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: 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
6. Black R7-3
- 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: 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
7. Black C4+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+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
8. Black R7=4
- 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: 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
9. Black C4=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 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
10. Black P6=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 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 R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black R4-2
- 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 R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black R4=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 C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black C5+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 C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black R5+4
- 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 C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black C5+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 C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
16. Black K4+1
- If Black plays R5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black C5=2
- If Black plays C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black K4=5
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black P2+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 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

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Mercy at Huarong Trail"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R2+7 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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