The Thirteen Taibao

"The Thirteen Taibao" 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 R1=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 Elephant, a Chariot, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R1=5 (check, 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 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
1. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K5=4
2. Red R5-1 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black C4+5 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black C4+5
3. Red R5+8 (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.
3. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black K4+1
4. Red C1+8 (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.
4. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K4+1
5. Red R5=6 (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.
5. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black K4=5
6. Red E3-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black H3-4 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black H3-4
7. Red R6-1 (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 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black C4-7 (captures the Chariot, check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
7. Black C4-7
8. Red C1=6 (captures 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.
8. Black H4+5
8. Black H4+5
9. Red C6=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black H5+4
9. Black H5+4
10. Red C8-8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black H4+2 (threatens mate next move)
10. Black H4+2
11. Red C8=4 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black P3=4 (check, the only legal reply)
11. Black P3=4
12. Red K6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black H2-4
12. Black H2-4
13. Red C4+3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black P4=5 (check)
13. Black P4=5
14. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black H4+6 (threatens mate next move)
14. Black H4+6
15. Red C4=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black H6+8 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
15. Black H6+8
16. Red C3-2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black H8-7
16. Black H8-7
17. Red C3+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black H7+5 (captures the Elephant)
17. Black H7+5
18. Red P4=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Red P4=3

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 R5-1 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3-5 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3+5 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+9. Try it on the board
2. Black C4+5
- 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 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 H3-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black K4+1
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+9. Try it on the board
6. Black H3-4
- 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 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 C4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black C4-7
- 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 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 C4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R6-1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R6-1. Try it on the board
8. Black H4+5
- 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 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 H4-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black H5+4
- 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 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 H5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black H4+2
- 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 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 H4-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black P3=4
- 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 H2-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black H2-4
- 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 H2-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black P4=5
- 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 H4-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H4+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H4-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H4+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black H4+6
- 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 H4-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H4-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H4+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black H6+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 H6-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
16. Black H8-7
- 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 H8-9 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
17. Black H7+5
- 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 H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7-5 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 Thirteen Taibao"?

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 R1=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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