Five Colors Spread in Splendor

"Five Colors Spread in Splendor" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Xinwu Endgame Collection. Red moves first and wins in 20 moves; the key first move is +P+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 Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, 5 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, 5 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red +P+1 (check, 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.
1. Black K6=5 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
1. Black K6=5
2. Red C1=5 (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.
2. Black R2=5 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black R2=5
3. Red R1+6 (check)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
3. Black R6-2 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black R6-2
4. Red R1=4 (captures the Chariot, check, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Black C4=6 (captures the Chariot)
4. Black C4=6
5. Red R2+4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R5+1 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
5. Black R5+1
6. Red P5+1 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black P6=5 (check, the only legal reply)
6. Black P6=5
7. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black P4+1 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black P4+1
8. Red R2=5 (captures the Soldier, 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.
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
8. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black K5=4
9. Red P6+1 (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.
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.
9. Black K4+1 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
9. Black K4+1
10. Red P8=7 (check)
10. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
10. Black K4+1
11. Red R5=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.
11. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
11. Black K4=5
12. Red R6-6 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black P9=8
12. Black P9=8
13. Red R6=5 (sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works–
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 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black P5+1 (captures the Chariot, check)
13. Black P5+1
14. Red K4+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 P8=7 (check)
14. Black P8=7
15. Red K4+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black C6=5
15. Black C6=5
16. Red P3=4 (check)
16. Black K5-1
16. Black K5-1
17. Red P7=6 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
17. Black K5=4 (captures the Soldier)
17. Black K5=4
18. Red P5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black K4=5
18. Black K4=5
19. Red P5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black C5=6 (check, the General has no escape square)
19. Black C5=6
20. Red P4=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Black P1=2
20. Black P1=2

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 K6=5
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+6. Try it on the board
2. Black R2=5
- If Black plays R6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black R6-2
- If Black plays C4=9 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
4. Black C4=6
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+6. Try it on the board
5. Black R5+1
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=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 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
6. Black P6=5
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=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 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
7. Black P4+1
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 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 +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 P9+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black K4+1
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black P9=8
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=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 P9+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black P5+1
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=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 P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black P8=7
- 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 P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black C6=5
- 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 P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
16. Black K5-1
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black K4=5
- 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 P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black C5=6
- 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 P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
20. Black P1=2
- 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 P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=6 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 "Five Colors Spread in Splendor"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move +P+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.

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