A. Chariot and Two Horses Class: Standard Positions 3

"A. Chariot and Two Horses Class: Standard Positions 3" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 4 moves; the key first move is H5+6. 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 Chariot, 2 Horses. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red H5+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.
1. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K5=4
2. Red H6+8 (check, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
2. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K4+1
3. Red H2+4 (captures the Advisor, check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
The Horse stands where it can be captured.
3. Black R1=5
3. Black R1=5
4. Red R4=5 (captures the Advisor, checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Red R4=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 K4+1
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
3. Black R1=5
- If Black plays R1=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=5. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 4 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "A. Chariot and Two Horses Class: Standard Positions 3"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move H5+6 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. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 31 Next puzzle: A. Chariot and Two Horses Class: Standard Positions 4 →

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