B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 12

"B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 12" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 6 moves; the key first move is R1+7. 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, a Elephant, a Chariot, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R1+7 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
1. Black A5-6 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black A5-6
2. Red R1=4 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
2. Black K5=6 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
2. Black K5=6
3. Red H6+5 (captures the Elephant, check)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black K6+1
4. Red H5+6 (captures the Advisor, check)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K6=5
5. Red H6-7 (check)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black K5=4
6. Red R2=6 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Red R2=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.

1. Black A5-6
- If Black plays E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black K5=6
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+3. Try it on the board
3. Black K6+1
- If Black plays A4+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. 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=5
- If Black plays K6-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=4. Try it on the board
5. Black K5=4
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+2. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 6 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 12"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R1+7 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 11 Next puzzle: B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 09 →

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