B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 11

"B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 11" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 8 moves; the key first move is H8-7. 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 Advisors, a Chariot, a Horse. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red H8-7 (captures the Cannon, 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 Cannon.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
1. Black K4+1
1. Black K4+1
2. Red H7+8 (check)
2. Black K4-1
2. Black K4-1
3. Red H8-9 (check)
3. Black E5-3
3. Black E5-3
4. Red R9=7 (captures the Elephant, 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 Elephant.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Black K4+1
4. Black K4+1
5. Red H9-7 (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
5. Black K4+1
6. Red R7-2 (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.
6. Black K4-1
6. Black K4-1
7. Red R7=8 (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.
7. Black K4-1
7. Black K4-1
8. Red R8+2 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
8. Red R8+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.

2. Black K4-1
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R9-2. Try it on the board
3. Black E5-3
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 8 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 11"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move H8-7 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. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 12 Next puzzle: B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 10 →

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