B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 13

"B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 13" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 5 moves; the key first move is H6-5. 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 Advisors, a Chariot, a Horse. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Chariot, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red H6-5 (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.
1. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K6=5
2. Red H5+7 (check)
2. Black K5=6
2. Black K5=6
3. Red R5=2 (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 -A+5
3. Black -A+5
4. 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.
4. Black K6-1 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K6-1
5. Red R2+5 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
5. Red R2+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 K5=6
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
3. Black -A+5
- If Black plays C9=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-2 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C9-3 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+4. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 5 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 13"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move H6-5 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.

← Previous puzzle: B. Chariot and Two Horses Class, Game 05 Next puzzle: B. Chariot and Two Horses Class, Game 03 →

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