B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 04

"B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 04" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 7 moves; the key first move is H2-4. 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, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red H2-4 (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 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black K5-1
1. Black K5-1
2. Red R3+4 (check)
2. Black K5+1
2. Black K5+1
3. Red R3=6 (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 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black A6-5
3. Black A6-5
4. Red R6-4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black K5=6
4. Black K5=6
5. Red R6=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 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black K6=5
5. Black K6=5
6. Red H4+3 (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.
6. Black K5=4
6. Black K5=4
7. Red R4=6 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
7. Red R4=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 K5-1
- If Black plays R3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3-2 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=5. Try it on the board
2. Black K5+1
- If Black plays K5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black A6-5
- If Black plays R3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3=5 instead: Red mates immediately with H4-6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with H4-6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3=1 instead: Red mates immediately with H4-6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3-1 instead: Red mates immediately with H4-6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3-2 instead: Red mates immediately with H4-6. Try it on the board
4. Black K5=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=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
- If Black plays R3-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black K6=5
- If Black plays R3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3=5 instead: Red mates immediately with H4-6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with H4-6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3=1 instead: Red mates immediately with H4-6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3-1 instead: Red mates immediately with H4-6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3-2 instead: Red mates immediately with H4-6. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 7 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 04"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move H2-4 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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