B. Two Chariots and Two Horses Class, Game 05

"B. Two Chariots and Two Horses Class, Game 05" 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 R7=8. 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, 2 Chariots, 2 Horses. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red R7=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
1. Black R2=1
1. Black R2=1
2. Red R3=4 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black A6+5
2. Black A6+5
3. Red H3-5 (sacrifices the Horse, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Horse; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
Not forcing: the defender has 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black C5-2 (captures the Horse)
3. Black C5-2
4. Red R8=5 (captures the Advisor, 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
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black R5+1 (check)
4. Black R5+1
5. Red K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R1+4 (captures the Horse, threatens mate next move)
5. Black R1+4
6. Red R4+2 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Red R4+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.

1. Black R2=1
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black A6+5
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+2. Try it on the board
3. Black C5-2
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+2. Try it on the board
4. Black R5+1
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+2. Try it on the board
5. Black R1+4
- If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+2. 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 05"?

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 R7=8 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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