The Eighteen Scholars

"The Eighteen Scholars" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Hundred Game Manual. Red moves first and wins in 16 moves; the key first move is +C=6. 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 Horse, 2 Cannons, a Soldier. Black has a General, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 2 Cannons, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red +C=6 (captures the Chariot, check, sacrifices the Cannon, 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 for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black R4+1 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
1. Black R4+1
2. Red P5=6 (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.
2. Black R4-2 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
2. Black R4-2
3. Red R4=6 (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.
3. Black K4+1 (captures the Chariot)
3. Black K4+1
4. Red R1=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black H5+7 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
4. Black H5+7
5. Red R2=3 (captures the Horse)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 34 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black C8=9
5. Black C8=9
6. Red R3=1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black C9=6 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black C9=6
7. Red R1-2 (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.
Not forcing: the defender has 33 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black P8=9 (captures the Chariot)
7. Black P8=9
8. Red C1=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black C3=6 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
8. Black C3=6
9. Red H3+4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P5=4
9. Black P5=4
10. Red C5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
10. Black P4=5 (threatens mate next move)
10. Black P4=5
11. Red C4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black P5=4
11. Black P5=4
12. Red C5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
12. Black +C-7 (captures the Horse, check)
12. Black +C-7
13. Red C4+4 (captures the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black P4=5
13. Black P4=5
14. Red C4=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black C6=8
14. Black C6=8
15. Red C8-9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black C8+8
15. Black C8+8
16. Red C8=2 (captures the Cannon, sacrifices the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black P9=8 (captures the Cannon)
16. Black P9=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 R4+1
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black R4-2
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=5. Try it on the board
3. Black K4+1
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black H5+7
- If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8=7 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 P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black C8=9
- If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8=7 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 P5=4 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
6. Black C9=6
- If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P8=7 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 P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black P8=9
- If Black plays P8=7 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=4 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
- If Black plays C6=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black C3=6
- If Black plays P9=8 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=4 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
- If Black plays C6=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black P5=4
- If Black plays P9=8 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 +C=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +C=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +C=9 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
10. Black P4=5
- If Black plays P9=8 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 +C=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +C=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +C=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black P5=4
- If Black plays P9=8 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 +C=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +C=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +C=9 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
12. Black +C-7
- If Black plays P9=8 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 +C=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +C=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black P4=5
- If Black plays P9=8 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 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
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black C6=8
- If Black plays P9=8 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 P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 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
15. Black C8+8
- If Black plays P9=8 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 P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
16. Black P9=8
- 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 E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 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

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "The Eighteen Scholars"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move +C=6 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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