Chariot and Horse Class: Standard Positions 10

"Chariot and Horse Class: Standard Positions 10" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 5 moves; the key first move is H4+5. Below you will find the full solution, what each move achieves, where it could go wrong, and the alternative defences.

Solve this puzzle on ChessZing →

Free, in the browser, no download.

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse. Black has a General, a Chariot, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red H4+5 (check)
1. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K6+1
2. Red H5+6 (check)
2. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K6=5
3. Red H6-7 (check)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black K5-1 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black K5-1
4. Red R1+4 (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.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Black R7-8
4. Black R7-8
5. Red R1=3 (captures the Chariot, checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
5. Red R1=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 K6+1
- If Black plays K6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black K6=5
- If Black plays K6-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
3. Black K5-1
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 5 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Chariot and Horse Class: Standard Positions 10"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Chariot & Horse mates.

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move H4+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.

← Previous puzzle: Chariot and Horse Class: Standard Positions 2 Next puzzle: Chariot and Horse Class: Standard Positions 8 →