Erlang Shoulders the Mountains

"Erlang Shoulders the Mountains" 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 P4=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, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red P4=5 (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.
1. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K5=4
2. Red R4+2 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
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 A5+6 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
2. Black A5+6
3. Red R5-2 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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 Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
3. Black E7-5 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
3. Black E7-5
4. Red +P=6 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, 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 Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
4. Black C4+2 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
4. Black C4+2
5. Red C2=6 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black C4=5 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black C4=5
6. Red C6-4 (captures the Chariot, 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.
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Black C5=4 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black C5=4
7. Red C6=2 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Red C6=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.

2. Black A5+6
- If Black plays E7-5 instead: Red mates immediately with +P+1. Try it on the board
5. Black C4=5
- If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=2 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 "Erlang Shoulders the Mountains"?

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 P4=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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