Sharing the Autumn Equally

"Sharing the Autumn Equally" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Hundred Game Manual. Red moves first and wins in 26 moves; the key first move is C3=5. 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, a Elephant, a Chariot, 2 Cannons, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Elephant, a Chariot, 2 Cannons, 4 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red C3=5 (check, 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 forNo real drawback in this position.
1. Black E5+7
1. Black E5+7
2. Red E5-3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 36 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black R9=6 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
2. Black R9=6
3. Red R4-4 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
3. Black C9+5 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
3. Black C9+5
4. Red E3+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Elephant stands where it can be captured.
4. Black P5=6 (captures the Chariot, check, threatens mate next move)
4. Black P5=6
5. Red K4+1 (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.
5. Black C2+8 (check)
5. Black C2+8
6. Red K4+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 P8=7 (check, the only legal reply)
6. Black P8=7
7. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black C9=8 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black C9=8
8. Red C2-3 (sacrifices the Cannon)
Why it works–
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 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black P7=8 (captures the Cannon)
8. Black P7=8
9. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P4=3
9. Black P4=3
10. Red C5=9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black P8=7 (threatens mate next move)
10. Black P8=7
11. Red E1+3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 37 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black C8-2 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
11. Black C8-2
12. Red E3-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Elephant stands where it can be captured.
12. Black C8-7
12. Black C8-7
13. Red C9+2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black C2-7
13. Black C2-7
14. Red P7=8 (captures the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black P1=2
14. Black P1=2
15. Red P8+1 (sacrifices the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black C8=2 (captures the Soldier)
15. Black C8=2
16. Red C9=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black P2=3 (threatens mate next move)
16. Black P2=3
17. Red C7-7 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black P3+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
17. Black P3+1
18. Red K6-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black P3+1 (captures the Cannon, check)
18. Black P3+1
19. Red K6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black P7=6
19. Black P7=6
20. Red P5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Black C2+7
20. Black C2+7
21. Red E5+3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
21. Black C2-4
21. Black C2-4
22. Red P5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
22. Black C2=8
22. Black C2=8
23. Red P5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
23. Black C8+4 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
23. Black C8+4
24. Red E3-5 (sacrifices the Elephant)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Gives up the Elephant; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
24. Black C8=5 (captures the Elephant)
24. Black C8=5
25. Red P5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
25. Black C5+2 (threatens mate next move)
25. Black C5+2
26. Red P4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
26. Black C5=8 (threatens mate next move)
26. Black C5=8

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 E5+7
- If Black plays E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black R9=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 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 R9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R9=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black C9+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 P8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black P5=6
- If Black plays C9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-1 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
5. Black C2+8
- If Black plays C9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. 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: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black P8=7
- If Black plays C9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. 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: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black C9=8
- If Black plays C9=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. 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: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black P7=8
- If Black plays C8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black P4=3
- If Black plays C8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black P8=7
- If Black plays C8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black C8-2
- If Black plays C8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black C8-7
- If Black plays C2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-2 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
- If Black plays C2-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black C2-7
- If Black plays C2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-2 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
- If Black plays C2-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black P1=2
- 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 P7+1 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 P7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black C8=2
- If Black plays P3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+1. Try it on the board
16. Black P2=3
- 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 P7+1 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 P7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black P3+1
- If Black plays P7+1 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 P7=6 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 E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. 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: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 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 P7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black P7=6
- 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 P7+1 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 E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
20. Black C2+7
- 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 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
21. Black C2-4
- 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 C2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
22. Black C2=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 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
23. Black C8+4
- 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 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
24. Black C8=5
- 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 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
25. Black C5+2
- 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 C5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C5-2 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
26. Black C5=8
- 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=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
- If Black plays C5=2 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 "Sharing the Autumn Equally"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move C3=5 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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