A. Two Chariots and Horse Class: Standard Positions 5

A. Two Chariots and Horse Class: Standard Positions 5楚河 漢界帥卒車傌象士俥象將士俥

"A. Two Chariots and Horse Class: Standard Positions 5" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 3 moves; the key first move is R4=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 Chariots, a Horse. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

  1. 1. Red R4=5 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
    Why it works
    • Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
    • Wins material: takes the Advisor.
    • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
    What to watch out for
    • Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
    1. Black K5+1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
    1楚河 漢界帥卒車傌象將象士俥
    1. Black K5+1
  2. 2. Red H5+3 (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 K5=6 (threatens mate next move)
    2楚河 漢界帥卒車象傌將象士俥
    2. Black K5=6
  3. 3. Red R2=4 (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.
    3楚河 漢界帥卒車象傌將象俥
    3. Red R2=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.

Final position

Final position楚河 漢界帥卒車象傌將象俥

Red wins after 3 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "A. Two Chariots and Horse Class: Standard Positions 5"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R4=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.

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