B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 09

"B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 09" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 11 moves; the key first move is R1+4. 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 Advisor, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Horse. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Chariot, a Horse, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R1+4 (check, threatens mate next move, 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.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
1. Black A5-6
1. Black A5-6
2. Red H3+4 (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.
2. Black K5+1
2. Black K5+1
3. Red H4-6 (check)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black K5=4
3. Black K5=4
4. Red R1-1 (check)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black A4+5
4. Black A4+5
5. Red R1=5 (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.
5. Black A6+5 (captures the Chariot)
5. Black A6+5
6. 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.
6. Black K4+1
6. Black K4+1
7. Red R2=6 (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.
7. Black K4=5
7. Black K4=5
8. Red R6=5 (check)
8. Black K5=4
8. Black K5=4
9. Red H8+7 (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.
9. Black K4-1
9. Black K4-1
10. Red R5=6 (check, threatens mate next move, 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.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
10. Black A5+4
10. Black A5+4
11. Red R6+2 (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.
11. Red R6+2

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.

3. 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: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black A4+5
- If Black plays R7-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black A6+5
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black K4+1
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black K5=4
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 11 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 09"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R1+4 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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