Black Dragon Swings Its Tail

"Black Dragon Swings Its Tail" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 15 moves; the key first move is R4=8. 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 Elephants, a Chariot, 4 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Advisor, 2 Elephants, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R4=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black P3=2
1. Black P3=2
2. Red R8-2 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black C2=3
2. Black C2=3
3. Red R8=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black C3-1
3. Black C3-1
4. Red R7=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black P5=6 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
4. Black P5=6
5. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black C3-2
5. Black C3-2
6. Red P7+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
6. Black C3=7
6. Black C3=7
7. Red R2-2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black C7+2
7. Black C7+2
8. Red R2+8 (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.
8. Black E5-7
8. Black E5-7
9. Red E3-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P4=5 (check, the only legal reply)
9. Black P4=5
10. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black P6+1 (threatens mate next move)
10. Black P6+1
11. Red R2-9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black P6=5 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
11. Black P6=5
12. 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 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black P5+1 (captures the Chariot, check)
12. Black P5+1
13. Red K6=5 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black E1+3 (captures the Soldier)
13. Black E1+3
14. Red P5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black C7-7
14. Black C7-7
15. Red +P=5 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
15. Black K5+1 (captures the Soldier)
15. Black K5+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 P3=2
- If Black plays C2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black C2=3
- If Black plays C2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-2 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
3. Black C3-1
- If Black plays C3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black P5=6
- If Black plays C3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3+1 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
5. Black C3-2
- If Black plays C3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3+1 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 P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black C3=7
- 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 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 C7+2
- 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 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 E5-7
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. 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 P6+1 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 C7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black P6+1
- If Black plays P5+1 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 C7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black P6=5
- If Black plays P6=7 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 C7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black P5+1
- 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 C7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black E1+3
- If Black plays C7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black C7-7
- If Black plays C7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black K5+1
- If Black plays K5=6 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

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Black Dragon Swings Its Tail"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R4=8 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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