Five Generals Lose Their Way

"Five Generals Lose Their Way" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 17 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, a Advisor, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, 5 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red -R=4 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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 for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
1. Black P5=6 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
1. Black P5=6
2. Red R1=4 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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 Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
2. Black H5-6 (captures the Chariot)
2. Black H5-6
3. Red P7=6
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.
3. Black P4+1 (captures the Advisor, check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
3. Black P4+1
4. Red K5=6 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black E7-9
4. Black E7-9
5. Red +P=5 (captures the Chariot, 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.
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
5. Black K6=5 (captures the Soldier)
5. Black K6=5
6. Red P3=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black P2=3 (captures the Elephant, check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
6. Black P2=3
7. Red K6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black H6+4 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black H6+4
8. Red +P=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 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black K5=4
9. Red C1=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P6=5
9. Black P6=5
10. Red P4+1 (sacrifices the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
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.
Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black R6-8 (captures the Soldier)
10. Black R6-8
11. Red P6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black P5+1
11. Black P5+1
12. Red P6+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 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black P3=4 (check, the only legal reply)
12. Black P3=4
13. Red K5=6 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
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.
13. Black R6+9 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
13. Black R6+9
14. Red K6+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 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black P5=4 (captures the Cannon, check)
14. Black P5=4
15. Red K6+1 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black R6=4 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
15. Black R6=4
16. 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 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black H4+3 (check)
16. Black H4+3
17. Red K5-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black R4-7 (captures the Soldier)
17. Black R4-7

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 P5=6
- If Black plays R6-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black P4+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 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 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
4. Black E7-9
- 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
- If Black plays R6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black P2=3
- 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
- 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
7. Black H6+4
- 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 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
9. Black P6=5
- 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 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
10. Black R6-8
- 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 P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=9 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black P5+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 P5=6 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
- If Black plays E5+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black P3=4
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. 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: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5-7 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5+7 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
13. Black R6+9
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5-7 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5+7 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5-3 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
14. Black P5=4
- If Black plays R6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=9 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=5 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. 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: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
15. Black R6=4
- If Black plays R6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=9 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=5 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=2 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
16. Black H4+3
- 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 P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=9 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
17. Black R4-7
- 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 P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=9 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Five Generals Lose Their Way"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

17 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.

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