B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 32

"B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 32" 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 H9+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 Chariots, a Horse. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red H9+7 (check)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
The Horse stands where it can be captured.
1. Black K5-1 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K5-1
2. Red R1+3 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
2. Black C7-2 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black C7-2
3. Red R3+3 (captures the Cannon, check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move, 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.
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
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 E5-7 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
3. Black E5-7
4. Red R1=3 (captures the Elephant, checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. 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 K5-1
- If Black plays C7=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black C7-2
- If Black plays E5-7 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=3. Try it on the board

Final position

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

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 32"?

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 H9+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.

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