Roving Soldiers Sue for Peace

"Roving Soldiers Sue for Peace" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Hundred Game Manual. Red moves first and wins in 20 moves; the key first move is +R+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 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Chariots, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red +R+1 (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.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
1. Black K5+1
1. Black K5+1
2. Red -R+4 (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.
2. Black K5+1
2. Black K5+1
3. Red +R=5 (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.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black K5=4
3. Black K5=4
4. Red R5=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black R5+1 (captures the Elephant, threatens mate next move)
4. Black R5+1
5. Red C9=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
5. Black P5=6 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
5. Black P5=6
6. Red R4-7 (captures the Soldier, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
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 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R8=6 (captures the Chariot, check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
6. Black R8=6
7. Red K4+1 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black R5-6 (captures the Cannon)
7. Black R5-6
8. Red R3-2 (check)
8. Black K4-1
8. Black K4-1
9. Red R3-2 (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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black R5+4
9. Black R5+4
10. Red P1+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
10. Black K4=5
11. Red R3=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black P1+1
11. Black P1+1
12. Red P1=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black P1=2
12. Black P1=2
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 P2=3
13. Black P2=3
14. Red P3+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black P3=4
14. Black P3=4
15. Red P3+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black P4+1
15. Black P4+1
16. Red E1+3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Elephant stands where it can be captured.
16. Black P4+1
16. Black P4+1
17. Red R4-3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black R5+3 (check, the only legal reply)
17. Black R5+3
18. Red K4-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black P4+1
18. Black P4+1
19. Red R4=5 (check, 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.
19. Black R5-1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
19. Black R5-1
20. Red E3-5 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Red E3-5

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.

4. Black R5+1
- 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 R8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black P5=6
- If Black plays P5+1 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 R8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black R8=6
- If Black plays R8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black R5-6
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black K4-1
- If Black plays R5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black R5+4
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black K4=5
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black P1+1
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black P1=2
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black P2=3
- 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 R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black P3=4
- 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 R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black P4+1
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
16. Black P4+1
- 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 R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black R5+3
- 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 R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black P4+1
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black R5-1
- If Black plays K5=4 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 "Roving Soldiers Sue for Peace"?

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

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 +R+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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