Offering One's Life at the Imperial Court
"Offering One's Life at the Imperial Court" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Hundred Game Manual. Red moves first and wins in 5 moves; the key first move is R2=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 Chariot, 2 Cannons, a Soldier. Black has a General, a Advisor, a Chariot, 2 Cannons, a Soldier.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red R2=5Why it works
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for1. Black K5=41. Black K5=4 - 2. Red R5+7Why it works
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for- The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
2. Black K4+12. Black K4+1 - 3. Red C2+83. Black A6-5
3. Black A6-5 - 4. Red R5=6Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out for- Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
4. Black K4-14. Black K4-1 - 5. Red P4+1Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for5. Red P4+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 K5=4
- If Black plays A6-5 instead: Red mates immediately with C2+9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C1=5 instead: Red mates immediately with C2+9. Try it on the board
- 2. Black K4+1
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with C2+9. Try it on the board
- 3. Black A6-5
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
Final position
Red wins after 5 moves. The General has no legal move.
Questions about this puzzle
Who moves first in "Offering One's Life at the Imperial Court"?
Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Hundred Game Manual.
How many moves does the solution take?
5 moves. The main line is shown above; alternative defences are covered in the variations section.
What is the key move?
The first move R2=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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