B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 01

"B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 01" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 8 moves; the key first move is +R+6. Below you will find the full solution, what each move achieves, where it could go wrong, and the alternative defences.

Solve this puzzle on ChessZing →

Free, in the browser, no download.

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Chariots, a Horse. Black has a General, a Advisor, a Chariot, a Horse, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red +R+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 K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K6+1
2. Red +R-1 (check)
2. Black K6-1 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K6-1
3. Red +R=4 (check, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
3. Black K6+1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
3. Black K6+1
4. Red H1+2 (check)
4. Black K6-1 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K6-1
5. Red R3+9 (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+1 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black K6+1
6. Red R3=7 (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.
6. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black K6+1
7. Red R7-2 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
7. Black A5+4 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black A5+4
8. Red R7=6 (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.
8. Red R7=6

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 K6-1
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with -R+7. Try it on the board
3. Black K6+1
- If Black plays R6-3 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black K6-1
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+7. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 8 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 01"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move +R+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 02 Next puzzle: B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 12 →

Nearby puzzles

B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 03
9 moves
B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 04
6 moves
B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 02
9 moves
B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 12
5 moves
B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 11
8 moves
B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 10
7 moves