B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 19

"B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 19" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 14 moves; the key first move is H5+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, a Advisor, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red H5+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.
1. Black K4-1
1. Black K4-1
2. Red R2=5 (captures the Elephant, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black A4+5
2. Black A4+5
3. Red R5=9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black A5+4
3. Black A5+4
4. Red R9+1 (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.
4. Black K4-1
4. Black K4-1
5. Red R9+1 (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.
5. Black K4+1
5. Black K4+1
6. Red H7+5 (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=5
6. Black K4=5
7. Red H5+3 (check)
7. Black K5+1
7. Black K5+1
8. Red H3+4 (captures the Advisor, check)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
8. Black K5=6
8. Black K5=6
9. Red H4-2 (check)
9. Black K6=5
9. Black K6=5
10. Red R9=5 (check, 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.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
10. Black A4-5
10. Black A4-5
11. Red H2-3 (check)
11. Black K5=4
11. Black K5=4
12. Red R5-1 (captures the Advisor, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black R7=5 (check)
12. Black R7=5
13. Red A6+5 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black P6+1
13. Black P6+1
14. Red H3-5 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
14. Red H3-5

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 A4+5
- If Black plays P3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H7+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: Red mates immediately with H7+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with H7+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H7+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H7+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H7+8. Try it on the board
3. Black A5+4
- If Black plays P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 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 K5+1
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R9=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black K5=6
- If Black plays K5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black K6=5
- If Black plays K6-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black K5=4
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black R7=5
- If Black plays P3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-5. Try it on the board
13. Black P6+1
- If Black plays P3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=5 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-5. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 14 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 19"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move H5+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 20 Next puzzle: B. Two Chariots and Two Horses Class, Game 16 →

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