B. Chariot and Two Horses Class, Game 07

"B. Chariot and Two Horses Class, Game 07" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 7 moves; the key first move is R8+1. 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 Elephant, a Chariot, 2 Horses. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red R8+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.
1. Black K4-1 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K4-1
2. Red H3+4 (check)
2. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K4=5
3. Red H4-6 (captures the Cannon, check, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black K5=4
4. Red R8+1 (check)
4. Black E5-3 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black E5-3
5. Red R8=7 (captures the Elephant, 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.
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
5. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black K4+1
6. Red H2+4 (captures the Advisor, check, 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.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black K4=5
7. Red R7-1 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
7. Red R7-1

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=5
- If Black plays +A-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays -A+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black E5-3
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 7 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Chariot and Two Horses Class, Game 07"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R8+1 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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