B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 03
"B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 03" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 9 moves; the key first move is R2=5. 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, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 2 Soldiers.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red R2=51. Black E3+5
1. Black E3+5 - 2. Red H8-62. Black K5=4
2. Black K5=4 - 3. Red R5=6Why it worksWhat to watch out for
- Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black E5+73. Black E5+7 - 4. Red H6+4Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out for4. Black K4=54. Black K4=5 - 5. Red R6+3Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out for5. Black K5+15. Black K5+1 - 6. Red H4-5Why it worksWhat to watch out for
- Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black A6+56. Black A6+5 - 7. Red R6-2Why it worksWhat to watch out for
- Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black A5-67. Black A5-6 - 8. Red R6=58. Black K5=4
8. Black K5=4 - 9. Red R5+2Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for9. Red R5+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 E3+5
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 2. Black K5=4
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 3. Black E5+7
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 6. Black A6+5
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 7. Black A5-6
- If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 8. Black K5=4
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+2. Try it on the board
Final position
Red wins after 9 moves. The General has no legal move.
Questions about this puzzle
Who moves first in "B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 03"?
Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Chariot & Horse mates.
How many moves does the solution take?
9 moves. The main line is shown above; alternative defences are covered in the variations section.
What is the key move?
The first move R2=5 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.
Nearby puzzles
- No. 98: Every Step Shines
- 99. Helpless and at a Loss
- Chariot and Horse Collection No. 100: Besiege Wei to Rescue Zhao
- B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 36
- B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 34
- B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 35
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