Horse Tramples the Linked Camps

"Horse Tramples the Linked Camps" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Hundred Game Manual. Red moves first and wins in 12 moves; the key first move is K6-1. 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, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Cannon, 5 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Chariot, a Horse, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red K6-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black P3+1
1. Black P3+1
2. Red +P=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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black P3+1 (check, the only legal reply)
2. Black P3+1
3. Red K6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black R7-1 (captures the Soldier)
3. Black R7-1
4. Red -P=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 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black P3=4 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
4. Black P3=4
5. 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 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R7=4 (check)
5. Black R7=4
6. 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 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R4-5 (captures the Soldier)
6. Black R4-5
7. Red P7=6 (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.
7. Black R4-1 (captures the Soldier)
7. Black R4-1
8. Red C3=6 (captures the Chariot, sacrifices the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black K5=4 (captures the Cannon)
8. Black K5=4
9. Red P4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black H2-3
9. Black H2-3
10. Red P1=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black H3-5
10. Black H3-5
11. Red P2=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black H5-6
11. Black H5-6
12. Red P3=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black P1+1
12. Black P1+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+1
- If Black plays H2-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black P3+1
- 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 +P=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-3 instead: Red mates immediately with +P=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-1 instead: Red mates immediately with +P=6. Try it on the board
3. Black R7-1
- 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 H2-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black P3=4
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-4 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+4 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-3 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-1 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
5. Black R7=4
- If Black plays H2-4 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+4 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-3 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-1 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+3 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
6. Black R4-5
- If Black plays H2+4 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-3 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-1 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+3 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
7. Black R4-1
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
8. Black K5=4
- If Black plays H2-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black H2-3
- If Black plays H2-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+1 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
10. Black H3-5
- If Black plays H3+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black H5-6
- If Black plays H5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H5+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H5-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H5-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H5+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black P1+1
- If Black plays H6-8 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6+8 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-4 instead: Red mates immediately with P5+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6+4 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-7 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-5 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Horse Tramples the Linked Camps"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move K6-1 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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