B. Two Chariots and Two Horses Class, Game 13

"B. Two Chariots and Two Horses Class, Game 13" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 6 moves; the key first move is +R+1. 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, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 2 Horses. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon.

Solution move by move

1. Red +R+1 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
1. Black A5-4 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
1. Black A5-4
2. Red R6+4 (captures the Advisor, check, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
2. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K6+1
3. Red R6-1 (check, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black K6-1 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black K6-1
4. Red H1+3 (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.
4. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K6=5
5. Red R6=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.
5. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black K5=4
6. Red H8+7 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Red H8+7

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 A5-4
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black K6-1
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H8+6. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 6 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Two Chariots and Two Horses Class, Game 13"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move +R+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.

← Previous puzzle: B. Two Chariots and Two Horses Class, Game 14 Next puzzle: B. Two Chariots and Two Horses Class, Game 12 →

Nearby puzzles

B. Two Chariots and Two Horses Class, Game 16
8 moves
B. Two Chariots and Two Horses Class, Game 15
8 moves
B. Two Chariots and Two Horses Class, Game 14
10 moves
B. Two Chariots and Two Horses Class, Game 12
9 moves
B. Two Chariots and Two Horses Class, Game 11
6 moves
B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 38
13 moves