Five Cassias Bloom Together

"Five Cassias Bloom Together" 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 R5=6. 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, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Chariot, a Cannon, 5 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R5=6 (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 K4=5
1. Black K4=5
2. Red R6=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 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black P2=3 (captures the Elephant, check, the General has no escape square)
2. Black P2=3
3. Red R7-4 (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 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black P5=4 (check, threatens mate next move)
3. Black P5=4
4. 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 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black -P=3
4. Black -P=3
5. Red R7+3 (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.
5. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black K5=4
6. Red R7=6 (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.
6. Black K4=5
6. Black K4=5
7. Red R6-2 (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.
7. Black C7=9 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black C7=9
8. Red R6=4 (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.
8. Black R7+9 (check)
8. Black R7+9
9. Red K5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black R7=2
9. Black R7=2
10. Red R4+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black R2-8 (captures the Soldier)
10. Black R2-8
11. Red R4=1 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black R2=6 (captures the Soldier)
11. Black R2=6
12. Red R1-1 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black R6+6
12. Black R6+6
13. Red R1+4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black R6=5 (captures the Elephant, check)
13. Black R6=5
14. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black R5-2 (threatens mate next move)
14. Black R5-2
15. Red R1=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black R5=1 (captures the Soldier)
15. Black R5=1
16. Red R4=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 K4=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 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black R1=4
17. Black R1=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 P2=3
- If Black plays P2=1 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=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P9+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+5. Try it on the board
3. Black P5=4
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P9+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P9=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+9. Try it on the board
4. Black -P=3
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=5 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 P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black K5=4
- 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: Red mates immediately with R7+6. 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: Red mates immediately with R7+6. 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=9
- 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
- If Black plays P9+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P9=8 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
8. Black R7+9
- If Black plays P9+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black R7=2
- If Black plays R7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black R2-8
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black R2=6
- If Black plays P9+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+7. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P9=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+7. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+7. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+7. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+7. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+7. Try it on the board
12. Black R6+6
- 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: Red mates immediately with R1+8. 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: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black R6=5
- 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 R6-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black R5-2
- 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
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black R5=1
- 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
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black R1=4
- If Black plays R1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R1=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Five Cassias Bloom Together"?

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 R5=6 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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