Two Chariots Cast Into the Well

"Two Chariots Cast Into the Well" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Hundred Game Manual. Red moves first and wins in 11 moves; the key first move is -R=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 Cannon, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red -R=6 (check, 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.
1. Black R4-4 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
1. Black R4-4
2. Red R1=6 (check, threatens mate next move)
Why 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=5 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K4=5
3. Red R6-1 (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.
3. Black R2=4 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black R2=4
4. Red R6+4 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
4. Black R4-8 (captures the Chariot)
4. Black R4-8
5. Red C1+5 (check, 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.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
5. Black E7+9
5. Black E7+9
6. Red C1=6 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
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.
6. Black C2+3 (check, the General has no escape square)
6. Black C2+3
7. Red E7+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 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black P5+1 (captures the Elephant)
7. Black P5+1
8. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black P5=4
8. Black P5=4
9. Red P7=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black C2-8
9. Black C2-8
10. Red C6-7 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black C2=6 (captures the Soldier)
10. Black C2=6
11. Red K6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Red K6+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 R4-4
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black K4=5
- If Black plays R4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black R2=4
- If Black plays R2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R2+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
4. Black R4-8
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black C2+3
- 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 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=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black P5+1
- 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=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
8. Black P5=4
- 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
- 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
9. Black C2-8
- 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
- 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
10. Black C2=6
- 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 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 E9-7 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 "Two Chariots Cast Into the Well"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move -R=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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