Thrice Drunk at Yueyang

"Thrice Drunk at Yueyang" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Hundred Game Manual. Red moves first and wins in 8 moves; the key first move is +P=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, 4 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Advisor, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red +P=4 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
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.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
1. Black K6+1 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
1. Black K6+1
2. Red R8+2 (check)
2. Black K6-1 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K6-1
3. Red R8=4 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
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.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
3. Black K6+1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
3. Black K6+1
4. Red R5+2 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
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.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Black K6-1 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K6-1
5. Red R5=4 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
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.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
5. Black K6+1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
5. Black K6+1
6. Red -C=4 (check, sacrifices the Cannon, 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 for
Gives up the Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
6. Black R6-5 (captures the Cannon)
6. Black R6-5
7. Red +P=4 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black R4+8
7. Black R4+8
8. Red C9=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black R4=6
8. Black R4=6

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.

2. Black K6-1
- If Black plays A6-5 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
7. Black R4+8
- 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 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
- If Black plays E9-7 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
8. Black R4=6
- 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 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
- If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=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 "Thrice Drunk at Yueyang"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move +P=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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