B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 35

"B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 35" 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 R2+7. 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, a Horse. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red R2+7 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
1. Black A5-6
1. Black A5-6
2. Red R6+9 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
2. Black K5=4 (captures the Chariot)
2. Black K5=4
3. Red R2=4 (captures the Advisor, 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.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black K4+1
3. Black K4+1
4. Red R4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black P7=6 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black P7=6
5. Red H8+7 (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.
5. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black K4+1
6. Red R5=6 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Red R5=6

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 A5-6
- If Black plays E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black K5=4
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2-1. Try it on the board
4. Black P7=6
- If Black plays R3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. 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 Horse Class, Game 35"?

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 R2+7 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 Horse Class, Game 34 Next puzzle: B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 33 →

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