Chariot and Horse Class: Standard Positions 8

Chariot and Horse Class: Standard Positions 8楚河 漢界帥相卒相馬砲傌象俥象士將馬

"Chariot and Horse Class: Standard Positions 8" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 4 moves; the key first move is H2+3. 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, a Chariot, a Horse. Black has a General, a Advisor, 2 Elephants, 2 Horses, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

  1. 1. Red H2+3 (check, the only legal reply)
    Why it works
    • Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
    1. Black K5+1
    1楚河 漢界帥相卒相馬砲象將傌俥象士馬
    1. Black K5+1
  2. 2. Red H3-4 (check, the only legal reply)
    Why it works
    • Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
    2. Black K5-1
    2楚河 漢界帥相卒相馬傌砲象俥象士將馬
    2. Black K5-1
  3. 3. Red R1=5 (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 A4+5 (captures the Chariot)
    3楚河 漢界帥相卒相馬傌砲象士象將馬
    3. Black A4+5
  4. 4. Red H4+3 (checkmate)
    Why it works
    • Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
    4楚河 漢界帥相卒相馬砲象士傌象將馬
    4. Red H4+3

Final position

Final position楚河 漢界帥相卒相馬砲象士傌象將馬

Red wins after 4 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Chariot and Horse Class: Standard Positions 8"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move H2+3 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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