B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 17

"B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 17" 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 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, a Advisor, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 2 Soldiers.

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 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black K5=6
1. Black K5=6
2. Red R3=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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black K6=5
2. Black K6=5
3. Red R4=5 (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.
3. Black K5=6
3. Black K5=6
4. Red H4+6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black A6+5
4. Black A6+5
5. Red R5=4 (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 K6=5
5. Black K6=5
6. Red H6+5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black K5=4
6. Black K5=4
7. Red R4=6 (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.
7. Black K4=5
7. Black K4=5
8. Red H5-3 (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.
8. Black K5=6
8. Black K5=6
9. Red R6=4 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
9. Red R6=4

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=6
- 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+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+3. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+3. 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 P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+3. Try it on the board
2. 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: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H4-6. Try it on the board
4. 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: 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 P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black K5=4
- 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 P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. 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 17"?

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 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.

← Previous puzzle: B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 16 Next puzzle: B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 14 →

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