Two Generals Guard the Pass

"Two Generals Guard the Pass" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Hundred Game Manual. Red moves first and wins in 7 moves; the key first move is P9+1. 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 Chariots, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Horse, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red P9+1 (captures the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black P1+1
1. Black P1+1
2. Red P9=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black P1+1
2. Black P1+1
3. Red P8=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black P1=2
3. Black P1=2
4. Red P7=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black P2=3
4. Black P2=3
5. Red R4-4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black E5+3
5. Black E5+3
6. Red R2=1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black E3-1
6. Black E3-1
7. Red R1=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Red R1=2

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 P1+1
- 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 H4-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H4-3 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
2. Black P1+1
- 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 H4-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H4-3 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
3. Black P1=2
- 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 H4-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H4-3 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
4. Black P2=3
- 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 H4-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H4-3 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
5. Black E5+3
- 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 H4-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H4-3 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
6. Black E3-1
- 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 H4-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H4-3 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

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Two Generals Guard the Pass"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move P9+1 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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