Panning Gold From Sand

"Panning Gold From Sand" 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 +R=7. 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 Chariots, a Cannon, 4 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse, 2 Cannons, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red +R=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 38 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
1. Black H7+6 (check)
1. Black H7+6
2. Red K5=4 (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 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black C6-3
2. Black C6-3
3. Red R7+4 (captures the Chariot, check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
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.
3. Black E1-3 (captures the Chariot)
3. Black E1-3
4. Red R1=5 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black H6-8 (check, the only legal reply)
4. Black H6-8
5. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black H8-7 (check)
5. Black H8-7
6. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black H7-5 (captures the Chariot, check)
6. Black H7-5
7. Red C1=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black H5-4
7. Black H5-4
8. Red -P=3 (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.
8. Black H4-5 (captures the Soldier)
8. Black H4-5
9. Red C5+5 (captures the Horse)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black K6=5
9. Black K6=5
10. Red P3=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black C6+2
10. Black C6+2
11. Red C5=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black E5+7
11. Black E5+7
12. Red C8+1 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
12. Black E3+5
12. Black E3+5
13. Red P2=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black K5=4
13. Black K5=4
14. Red P4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black E5-7 (captures the Soldier)
14. Black E5-7
15. Red C8=3 (captures the Elephant)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black C6=2
15. Black C6=2
16. Red C3=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black C2+4
16. Black C2+4
17. Red P9+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black C2=5
17. Black C2=5
18. Red C5-8 (captures the Soldier, sacrifices the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black P4=5 (captures the Cannon)
18. Black 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 H7+6
- If Black plays P4+1 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 +C+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +C+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black C6-3
- If Black plays H6-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-7 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-5 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +P+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=4. Try it on the board
3. Black E1-3
- If Black plays E5-3 instead: Red mates immediately with +P=3. Try it on the board
4. Black H6-8
- If Black plays H6-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-5 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=3 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
5. Black H8-7
- If Black plays P4+1 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 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 H8-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H8+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black H7-5
- If Black plays P4+1 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 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 H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black H5-4
- If Black plays P4+1 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 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 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
8. Black H4-5
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P5+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P5+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P5+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P5+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H4-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H4+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black K6=5
- If Black plays P4+1 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 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 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
10. Black C6+2
- If Black plays P4+1 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 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 C6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black E5+7
- If Black plays P4+1 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 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 C6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black E3+5
- If Black plays E3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black K5=4
- If Black plays P4+1 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 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 C6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black E5-7
- If Black plays P4+1 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 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 C6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black C6=2
- If Black plays P4+1 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 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 C6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
16. Black C2+4
- If Black plays P4+1 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 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 C2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black C2=5
- If Black plays C2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black P4=5
- If Black plays C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5=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 "Panning Gold From Sand"?

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 +R=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.

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