Thrice Enraging Zhou Yu

"Thrice Enraging Zhou Yu" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Hundred Game Manual. Red moves first and wins in 36 moves; the key first move is -R=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, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, 4 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red -R=4 (check, the General has no escape square)
1. Black H8+6
2. Red R1=7
2. Black P2=3 (check, the General has no escape square)
3. Red R7-6 (captures the Soldier)
3. Black C2=8 (captures the Soldier)
4. Red P5=4 (check)
4. Black K6=5
5. Red C1+7 (check, the General has no escape square)
5. Black C8+9
6. Red R4-3 (captures the Chariot)
6. Black R1+2
7. Red P4+1 (check, sacrifices the Soldier)
7. Black K5=6 (captures the Soldier)
8. Red R4+5 (captures the Horse, check, the only legal reply)
8. Black K6=5
9. Red R7+9 (check, sacrifices the Chariot)
9. Black E5-3 (captures the Chariot)
10. Red C1=7 (captures the Elephant)
10. Black R1=6 (captures the Chariot)
11. Red +P=4 (captures the Chariot)
11. Black K5+1
12. Red C7-4
12. Black P1=2
13. Red E5+7
13. Black C8-3
14. Red P3+1
14. Black C8=3
15. Red E7-5
15. Black C3+1
16. Red C7=5
16. Black P5=6
17. Red P3+1
17. Black P2=3
18. Red P3=4
18. Black P3=4
19. Red -P+1
19. Black P4+1
20. Red -P=5 (check, the only legal reply)
20. Black K5=4
21. Red P5=6
21. Black C3=5 (captures the Elephant)
22. Red P4+1
22. Black K4-1
23. Red P6+1
23. Black K4=5
24. Red C5+3
24. Black C5-2
25. Red K6=5
25. Black P4+1
26. Red P6=5
26. Black C5=8
27. Red C5=7
27. Black K5=4
28. Red P5=6
28. Black P6=5 (check, the only legal reply)
29. Red K5=4
29. Black P4+1
30. Red C7=5
30. Black P4=5 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
31. Red C5-8 (captures the Soldier)
31. Black C8=4
32. Red C5=8
32. Black C4+4
33. Red P4=5
33. Black P5=4
34. Red P6+1 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
34. Black C4-8 (captures the Soldier)
35. Red P5=6 (captures the Cannon, check, sacrifices the Soldier)
35. Black K4+1 (captures the Soldier)
36. Red K4+1

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Thrice Enraging Zhou Yu"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move -R=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.

Next puzzle: Three Falls of the Bronze Banner →

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