Snow Blocks Lan Pass

"Snow Blocks Lan Pass" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Hundred Game Manual. Red moves first and wins in 21 moves; the key first move is P8=7. Below you will find the full solution, what each move achieves, where it could go wrong, and the alternative defences.

Solve this puzzle on ChessZing →

Free, in the browser, no download.

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Advisor, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red P8=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
1. Black R3=2 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black R3=2
2. Red C3+2 (check, sacrifices the Cannon, 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 Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
2. Black E5-7 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
2. Black E5-7
3. Red R2=8 (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 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
3. Black C7+1 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
3. Black C7+1
4. Red A4+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.
The Advisor stands where it can be captured.
4. Black P6=7 (check)
4. Black P6=7
5. Red A5+4 (captures the Horse)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R2+2 (captures the Chariot)
5. Black R2+2
6. Red P7+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R2=8
6. Black R2=8
7. Red P5=4 (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 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black E7+5
7. Black E7+5
8. Red H2+4 (check, sacrifices the Horse, 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 Horse; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
8. Black R8=6 (captures the Horse)
8. Black R8=6
9. Red P4+1 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
9. Black P7=6
9. Black P7=6
10. Red P4=5 (captures the Elephant)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black C7-5
10. Black C7-5
11. Red P5+1 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Soldier, 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.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
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.
11. Black A6+5 (captures the Soldier)
11. Black A6+5
12. Red P6=5 (captures the Advisor, check, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
12. Black K5=6
12. Black K5=6
13. Red P7=6 (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 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black C7-4
13. Black C7-4
14. Red P6=5 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, 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.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
14. Black C7=5 (captures the Soldier, check)
14. Black C7=5
15. Red P5+1 (captures the Cannon, check, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
15. Black K6+1
15. Black K6+1
16. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black K6=5
16. Black K6=5
17. Red P5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black P1=2
17. Black P1=2
18. Red K6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black P2=3
18. Black P2=3
19. Red P4=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black P3=4
19. Black P3=4
20. Red P3=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Black K5=4
20. Black K5=4
21. Red A4-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Advisor stands where it can be captured.
21. Red A4-5

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 R3=2
- 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
- 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
3. Black C7+1
- 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: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-1 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-2 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
4. Black P6=7
- If Black plays C7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-1 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-2 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-3 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
5. Black R2+2
- If Black plays C7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black R2=8
- If Black plays C7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H2+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black E7+5
- If Black plays C7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
8. Black R8=6
- If Black plays A5+6 instead: Red mates immediately with P7=6. Try it on the board
9. Black P7=6
- 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 P7=8 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
10. Black C7-5
- 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
- If Black plays C7-2 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
13. Black C7-4
- 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 P6=5. 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 P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
16. Black K6=5
- 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 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 K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black P1=2
- 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 P1+1 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
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black P2=3
- 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 P2+1 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 K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black P3=4
- 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 P3+1 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 K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
20. Black K5=4
- 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 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

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Snow Blocks Lan Pass"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Hundred Game Manual.

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move P8=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.

← Previous puzzle: The Hegemon Sheds His Armor Next puzzle: Visiting the Sage on a Snowy Night →

Nearby puzzles

Horse Tramples the Linked Camps
12 moves
Ma Chao's Night Battle
23 moves
The Hegemon Sheds His Armor
11 moves
Visiting the Sage on a Snowy Night
11 moves
Pearl Shining Across the Water
37 moves