Moonlight Traps the General

"Moonlight Traps the General" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Hundred Game Manual. Red moves first and wins in 28 moves; the key first move is +C=4. 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, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, 2 Cannons, 5 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red +C=4 (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 for
Not forcing: the defender has 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
1. Black R6=7 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
1. Black R6=7
2. Red C1=4 (captures the Soldier, check, sacrifices the Cannon, 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.
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
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.
2. Black P7=6 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
2. Black P7=6
3. Red R1+9 (captures the Cannon, check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
3. Black R7-2 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black R7-2
4. Red +P+1 (check, sacrifices the Soldier)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
4. Black K6=5 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
4. Black K6=5
5. Red C4=5 (check, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
5. Black R2=5 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black R2=5
6. Red R1=3 (captures the Chariot, check, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Black C4=7 (captures the Chariot)
6. Black C4=7
7. Red R2+4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black R5+1 (captures the Cannon)
7. Black R5+1
8. Red P5+1 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black P4=5 (check, the only legal reply)
8. Black P4=5
9. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black C7+9 (threatens mate next move)
9. Black C7+9
10. Red R2=5 (captures the Soldier, check)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
10. Black K5=6 (threatens mate next move)
10. Black K5=6
11. Red R5=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.
11. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
11. Black K6=5
12. Red R4-5 (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 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black P5=6 (captures the Chariot)
12. Black P5=6
13. Red K6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black C7=5
13. Black C7=5
14. Red P5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black P1=2
14. Black P1=2
15. Red P5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black P2=3 (check)
15. Black P2=3
16. Red K6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black P6=5
16. Black P6=5
17. Red P7=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black E1+3
17. Black E1+3
18. Red +P=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black P3=4
18. Black P3=4
19. Red +P=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black K5+1
19. Black K5+1
20. Red P5+1 (check)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
20. Black K5-1
20. Black K5-1
21. Red P4+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
21. Black C5=4 (check, the only legal reply)
21. Black C5=4
22. Red K6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
22. Black C4=5 (check)
22. Black C4=5
23. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
23. Black C5-7 (captures the Soldier)
23. Black C5-7
24. Red P6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
24. Black C5=6
24. Black C5=6
25. Red P6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
25. Black P4=3
25. Black P4=3
26. Red P4=5 (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.
26. Black K5=6
26. Black K5=6
27. Red P6+1 (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 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
27. Black E3-1
27. Black E3-1
28. Red P6=5 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
28. Red P6=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=7
- If Black plays R2=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black R7-2
- If Black plays C4=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black K6=5
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black R2=5
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black C4=7
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+6. Try it on the board
7. Black R5+1
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 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=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 P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black P4=5
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 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 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
9. Black C7+9
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 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 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
10. Black K5=6
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
12. Black P5=6
- If Black plays C7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black C7=5
- If Black plays C7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C7=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black P1=2
- 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
15. Black P2=3
- 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
16. Black P6=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
17. Black E1+3
- 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
18. Black P3=4
- 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
19. Black K5+1
- 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
20. Black K5-1
- If Black plays C5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
21. Black C5=4
- 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=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
22. Black C4=5
- If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
23. Black C5-7
- 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
24. Black C5=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 E3-1 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
25. Black P4=3
- If Black plays P4+1 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 E3-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
27. Black E3-1
- If Black plays P3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 28 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Moonlight Traps the General"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move +C=4 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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