Three Assaults on Zhu Village

"Three Assaults on Zhu Village" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Hundred Game Manual. Red moves first and wins in 18 moves; the key first move is -C+9. 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, 2 Chariots, 2 Cannons, 5 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 2 Cannons, 5 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red -C+9 (captures the Horse, check, sacrifices the Cannon, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
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.
1. Black R6=9 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
1. Black R6=9
2. Red R3-1 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 36 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
2. Black C6-6 (captures the Soldier)
2. Black C6-6
3. Red R3-2 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 36 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black C6=4 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
3. Black C6=4
4. Red R2=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 36 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
4. Black C1+3 (check, the General has no escape square)
4. Black C1+3
5. Red -E+9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black +P+1 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black +P+1
6. Red R3=5 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R9+5 (captures the Cannon)
6. Black R9+5
7. Red R5=7 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black R9=4 (captures the Chariot, check)
7. Black R9=4
8. Red K6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black C4=5 (check)
8. Black C4=5
9. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black R4=6 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
9. Black R4=6
10. Red R7=4 (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 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black R6+3 (captures the Chariot, check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
10. Black R6+3
11. Red K4+1 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black C1=9
11. Black C1=9
12. Red P8=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 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black C9-8
12. Black C9-8
13. Red P6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black C5=8
13. Black C5=8
14. Red P6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black C8-1
14. Black C8-1
15. Red P6+1 (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.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
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.
15. Black C8=4 (captures the Soldier)
15. Black C8=4
16. Red P7=6 (captures the Cannon, 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.
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
16. Black C9=4 (captures the Soldier)
16. Black C9=4
17. Red P5=6 (captures the Cannon, check, sacrifices the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
17. Black K4+1 (captures the Soldier)
17. Black K4+1
18. Red P4=5 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Red P4=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 R6=9
- 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
2. Black C6-6
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black C6=4
- 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 +P=4 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=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black C1+3
- 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 +P=4 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=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black +P+1
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-1 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 +P=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black R9+5
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-1 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=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black R9=4
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-1 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=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
8. Black C4=5
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-1 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=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black R4=6
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-1 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
10. Black R6+3
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1-1 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
11. Black C1=9
- If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black C9-8
- If Black plays C9=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P7=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P7=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P7=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=5 instead: Red mates immediately with P7=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P7=6. Try it on the board
13. Black C5=8
- If Black plays P3+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 P3=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 E1-3 instead: Red mates immediately with P7+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black C8-1
- If Black plays P3+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 P3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E3-5 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 E1-3 instead: Red mates immediately with P7+1. Try it on the board
17. Black K4+1
- If Black plays K4=5 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 "Three Assaults on Zhu Village"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move -C+9 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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