B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 29

B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 29楚河 漢界帥車卒馬傌俥士俥象士將象

"B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 29" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 5 moves; the key first move is R4+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, 2 Chariots, a Horse. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

  1. 1. Red R4+1 (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.
    • 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=6 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
    1楚河 漢界帥車卒馬傌俥士象士將象
    1. Black K5=6
  2. 2. Red R5=4 (check)
    2. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
    2楚河 漢界帥車卒馬傌俥士象士將象
    2. Black K6=5
  3. 3. Red H6+4 (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.
    3. Black K5=6 (threatens mate next move)
    3楚河 漢界帥車卒馬俥傌士象士將象
    3. Black K5=6
  4. 4. Red H4+2 (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.
    4. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
    4楚河 漢界帥車卒馬俥士傌象士將象
    4. Black K6=5
  5. 5. Red R4+3 (checkmate)
    Why it works
    • Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
    5楚河 漢界帥車卒馬士傌象士將俥象
    5. Red R4+3

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 漢界帥車卒馬士傌象士將俥象

Red wins after 5 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 29"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R4+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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