Lone Cannon Sorties Six Times

"Lone Cannon Sorties Six Times" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Hundred Game Manual. Red moves first and wins in 18 moves; the key first move is C4-8. 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 Advisor, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, 5 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 4 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red C4-8 (captures the Soldier, sacrifices the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
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 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black +P=6 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
1. Black +P=6
2. Red -R=6 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
2. Black R4-4 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
2. Black R4-4
3. Red A4+5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Advisor stands where it can be captured.
3. Black P2=3
3. Black P2=3
4. Red R5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black P6=5 (captures the Advisor, check)
4. Black P6=5
5. Red K5+1 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R4+4 (check, the only legal reply)
5. Black R4+4
6. Red K5-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black P7+1
6. Black P7+1
7. Red E5+7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black R4+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
7. Black R4+1
8. Red K5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black P3=4 (check, threatens mate next move)
8. Black P3=4
9. Red K5=4 (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 P7+1 (check, the only legal reply)
9. Black P7+1
10. Red K4+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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black R4=6 (check, the only legal reply)
10. Black R4=6
11. Red K4=5 (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 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black R6-6 (captures the Chariot)
11. Black R6-6
12. Red P9=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black R6=5 (check, the only legal reply)
12. Black R6=5
13. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black R5=9 (captures the Soldier)
13. Black R5=9
14. Red P4+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 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black R9=6 (check, the only legal reply)
14. Black R9=6
15. Red K4=5 (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 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black R6-3 (captures the Soldier)
15. Black R6-3
16. Red -P=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 R6=5
16. Black R6=5
17. Red P5+1 (captures the Chariot, check, sacrifices the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
17. Black K4=5 (captures the Soldier)
17. Black K4=5
18. Red P7=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black K5+1
18. Black K5+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 +P=6
- If Black plays P2+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=3 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 R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=6 instead: Red mates immediately with -R=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with -R=6. Try it on the board
3. 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 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
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black P6=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 P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black R4+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 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
6. Black P7+1
- 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 R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
7. Black R4+1
- 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 R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
8. Black P3=4
- If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
9. Black P7+1
- If Black plays R4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
10. Black R4=6
- If Black plays R4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
11. Black R6-6
- If Black plays R6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. 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: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R6=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
12. Black R6=5
- 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 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
13. Black R5=9
- 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 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
14. Black R9=6
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
15. Black R6-3
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
16. Black R6=5
- 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 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 K4=5
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black K5+1
- 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 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

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Lone Cannon Sorties Six Times"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move C4-8 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.

← Previous puzzle: Single Whip Saves the Lord Next puzzle: A Thousand Miles Alone →

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